.png){kind=small}
Wines from the Latest Wine Casino — and How to Unravel Their Secrets
- Feb 28
- 4 min read
Another thrilling evening at the Wine Casino has come to a close, and what a journey it was! We delved into a fascinating selection of wines, each offering unique aromas, textures, and stories. It was a true testament to how diverse and exciting the world of wine can be, proving once again that with a little guidance, everyone can discover what truly delights their palate.
The Sparkling Start
🥂 Crémant de Loire — Loire Valley, France
Our evening began with a delightful French sparkling wine: Crémant de Loire. This elegant bubbly, crafted from Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc, spent 12 months aging in the bottle. Crémants are produced using the traditional method, just like Champagne, but outside the Champagne region. Wines from the Loire Valley are known for their grace, freshness, and versatility with food. Delicate bubbles, a clean profile, and wonderful acidity make this an ideal pairing for any day and almost any occasion. Keep an eye out for Crémants on the shelves of your local supermarkets; many excellent options are available. For example, there's one I recommend from Rewe here.
🥂 Perfectly pair with: Aperitifs, seafood, or light (not super sweet) desserts.
The White Wonders
🍋 Jean Collet et Fils Chablis 2024 — Chablis, France
Our first white took us straight to the heart of Burgundy, to the renowned Chablis region. This 100% Chardonnay, from vines averaging 25 years old, showcased the classic elegance of its terroir. With spontaneous alcoholic fermentation and 9-10 months in stainless steel, it offered bright notes of citrus fruit and candied fruit. This wine is a beautiful expression of a family legacy, with the Collet family having cultivated vines since 1792.
🥂 Perfect with: Oysters, grilled fish, or fresh goat cheese.
🌿 Jülg Sauvignon Blanc Fumé 2022 — Pfalz, Germany
Next, we ventured to Germany for a Sauvignon Blanc with a distinctive character. The Jülg Sauvignon Blanc Fumé 2022 captivated with its finecurrant, mint, cool, ethereal, spicy-stone, and salty nuances. Fermented spontaneously and aged in both stainless steel and large wood, this wine from a winery founded in 1961 (and now managed by the new generation since 2010) truly highlighted the grape's aromatic potential.
🥂 Perfect with: Asparagus, fresh salads, or light seafood dishes.
🥭 Philipp Kuhn Chardonnay 2022 Kapellenberg — Pfalz, Germany
Our final white was a rich and complex Chardonnay Reserve from Philipp Kuhn. Grapes are coming from the Kapellenberg vineyard, where vines were planted in 1993, this wine was spontaneously fermented and aged in barrels with 15% of new wood. It unfolded with captivating roasted aromas, mango, apple peel, salted lemon, cinnamon, cardamom, and orange blossom, with hints of bright melon and ripe lemon. A truly sophisticated expression of Chardonnay.
🥂 Perfect with: Roasted chicken, creamy pasta, or mature cheeses. 👉 Order Philipp Kuhn Chardonnay Reserve 2022 here.
The Red Revelations
🍒 Domaine Belle Crozes-Hermitage Rouge Cuvée Louis Belle 2022 — Rhone Valley, France
Moving to the reds, we started with a powerful Syrah from the Rhone Valley. The Domaine Belle Crozes-Hermitage Rouge Cuvée Louis Belle 2022, crafted from 60-year-old vines, was a symphony of fruit liqueurs, cocoa bean, black fruit, and sweet spices. Further exploration revealed ripe dark forest fruits, roasted almonds, cedars, licorice, dark chocolate, and subtle smoky nuances. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged for 18 months in barrels, this wine is a testament to centuries of winemaking tradition of the region.
🍇 Rutini – Trumpeter Syrah 2023 — Mendoza, Argentina
From Argentina, we savored the Rutini – Trumpeter Syrah 2023. This Syrah from Mendoza, grown at altitudes of 700-1200 meters, offered delightful notes of cherry jam, along with subtle hints of tobacco and vanilla from its 7 months in French oak barrels. Crafted under the guidance of Mariano Di Paola, recognized as one of the world's top winemakers, this wine is a vibrant and expressive example of Argentine Syrah.
🍽️ Pairs with: Grilled meats, empanadas, or hearty pasta dishes.
🌶️ Weninger Pincészet Cabernet Sauvignon “Régi Iskola” Bio 2021 — Sopron, Hungary
Our final wine was a unique and intriguing Cabernet Sauvignon from Weninger Pincészet winery in Hungary on the boarder with Austria. “Régi Iskola” means "old school," is a natural wine, hand-harvested and spontaneously fermented. Aged for 14 months in used 500L wooden barrels and bottled unfiltered, it presented a captivating profile of red and dark berries, pepper, and subtle notes of jalapeño. This wine beautifully represents the Weninger family's dedication to biodynamic farming across their Austrian and Hungarian estates.
🍽️ Pairs with: Spicy dishes, grilled vegetables, or robust stews. 👉 Order Weninger Pincészet “Régi Iskola” Bio 2021 here.
Why Wine Casino Works
I love the Wine Casino format because it doesn’t just test your wine knowledge — it expands it. You taste, guess, learn, laugh, and suddenly realize how much your senses can tell you when you stop looking at labels.
Every round is a mix of curiosity, competition, and surprise. And every bottle hides a story worth discovering.
The next Wine Casino nights are coming soon — and this time, I'm adding a twist!
Can your palate tell the difference between a budget-friendly bottle from the supermarket and a sophisticated wine from a specialty shop? I’ll be pouring a curated selection of both, and it’s your job to guess which is which. You might be surprised by what you discover!
This is your chance to finally answer the question: Is more expensive always better? Trust your taste, not the price tag!
Whether you’re a wine novice or a seasoned taster, join the next round — sip, play, and discover how thrilling blind tasting can be.
Because in this Casino, everyone wins — at least in knowledge, good mood, and wonderful wines 🍷
Comments