Dolce Divas find time for wine |
I don’t suppose I was the bait that finally tied down a wine tasting interview of the two beautiful chicas who comprise the new musical duo Dolce Divas. Sadly I guess it was the wine, but hey, a guy can dream can’t he? In fact with a weekend schedule that included: a day’s photo shoot on the beach; in the poppy-strewn campo; and at Llíber’s Mas La Pau concert hall; plus at least a whole day’s rehearsal; and a recording session I’m quite sure that just the chance to sit down would have been irresistibly attractive to the these two charmingly bubbly girls.
In fact it was bubbles that we started with. Topping up the Dominio de la Vega Brut fizz, that had apparently been an essential and integral part of the photo session, we prepared our tasting palates with Freixenet Barroco Brut Reserva Cava, a sparkling wine that has graced this column and my dinner table on several occasions. This was the time to learn something of the Dolce Divas’ story.
Kirsty Orr, classical and popular pianist has only this year joined with Claire Post, soprano and flautist to form Dolce Divas whose beguiling music is already proving to be a real hit with audiences on the Costa Blanca. Concerts in Llíber and Benissa have been sell-outs and further dates in their burgeoning diary are promising to be similarly successful, with weddings, more concerts, dinner parties, private functions for groups and associations all planned, plus appearances in hotels.
Usually Kirsty does her talking through the black and white keys of her piano and, particularly in her native Scotland, her accordion, so it was lovely to hear her gentle, lilting Scots accent whilst discussing their plans as well as the wines we all enjoyed. Claire’s perfect pronunciation of the English language and her erudite and knowledgeable comments on the wines we tasted added to a wonderful evening, so pleasing to the ear and the palate
We tried two white wines, the first a French one from perhaps the best white wine producing area in the world, Burgundy – well hey, come on with chicas like this in the house you have try and impress Also impressive however was a wine from a favourite bodega of mine, Peter Arnold Wines, from Murla in the Jalón Valley – proof that this often denigrated winemaking area can and does make, in the right hands, super wines.
Burgogne Hautes-Cotes de Beaune Chardonnay 2005 is in a way a new age white Burgundy. It is made using the tried and tested traditional Burgundy winemaking principles from vines which have been grown in the same vineyards for centuries – Chardonnay. So why the new age tag? Well it’s because at last the French have realised that it is not enough to simply say ‘Burgundy’ on the label nowadays. Today’s increasingly well-informed consumer wants to know a little more – starting with the grape varieties used. Burgundy is Chardonnay, and it may well be argued that Chardonnay is Burgundy, so let’s put it on the label.
This wine would underline the point as it certainly stopped the talk of music moving us on to discuss the finer points of wine. Kirsty and husband Colin (good name, don’t you think?) would be the first to agree that they are novices in the wine appreciation field, but I think I was successful in planting a seed of discovery in their minds and on their palates as they both enjoyed the wines and also the experience.
Subtle Chardonnay characteristics of slightly toasted, buttery aromas mixed with a touch of young banana and maybe the slightest suggestion of coconut was blended with a glorious double cream bouquet Super, elegant wine with typical French finesse
Peter Arnold’s Chardonnay is, like all his wines, named after something musical, how appropriate in such company Sonata 2006 is a Chardonnay emanating from the hands of a Chardonnay master, whose studies in Germany were complemented by years of experience making medal winning wines in South Africa. Sonata is a more golden colour than the previous wine and is fuller in the mouth with perhaps a marginally longer finish, testament maybe to New World winemaking skills honed in the South African sun. I’m glad to say it was difficult to choose between the two.
Mira Salinas 2003 is one of only three wines made by Bodegas Sierra Salinas in DO Alicante. They are all red wines and are given over 90 points in the well respected Peñin Guide – quite a feat, particularly when you consider that the bodega was founded in the same year as this, their first wine I’ve visited the custom-built state-of-the-art facility in the rolling hills under the small mountain range Sierra Salinas and I’m not surprised their wines are first rate. The whole process from vine to bottle is about quality.
Made from old, low yielding Monastrell, Garnacha Tintorera and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes the wine once made and blended is aged for twenty months in French oak. The wine is deliberately unfiltered to avoid even the slightest loss of flavour and body, so a deposit may well rest in the bottom of the bottle (make sure you stand it vertically for 48 hours before you open). Drinking very well now it has time on its side. I wish I had a case to cellar for five years
Finally a wine that I picked up when visiting Bodegas Fontana over a year ago and one that has been winking at me each time I enter the cellar Quercus 2003 is a mono-varietal Tempranillo, again made without filtration and again with time in oak. It’s a classy wine in excellent packaging (a wooden case with each bottle individually wrapped in tissue paper) drinking perfectly now as it will be for three more years. Buy some, enjoy it but make sure you replace each bottle with the next vintage. Quality wine making like this will ensure that Quercus will be around for a long time, and will if anything get better.
PS. Our next wine tasting with classical and popular music will be held on Wednesday June 4 at the superb (at this stage I’m forbidden from saying which of the illustrious restaurant guides is sending inspectors this summer) Restaurante Ca Pepe 1 in Moraira. Mosaico will of course be providing the beautiful music along with the above duo Dolce Divas performing as guests. I will be presenting five top wines to accompany a truly excellent gourmet dinner designed by their top-rated young chef. We have a strictly limited number of seats for this evening so please reserve your place asap as we are expecting another sell-out.
Places by reservation only, 45 euros, please call me now.
Colin Harkness can be contacted by email at colin@tinlizzietours.com
and on the internet at www.tinlizzietours.com.
