These are the rules for this category:

• 3-5 photos, linked by a common story in the eyes and mind of the photographer
• Exploring any aspect of wine – production, consumption, culture or business
• Value will be given to the artistic value and engaging story linking the images rather than solely on the quality of the image

This is the second year for BDWA.
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Storytelling with wine – and sharing the moment

There’s a common phrase that says ”a picture can tell a thousand words”. We all know that to be true, but those thousand words would easily be based on the combination of what you see and what you already know.

- Brett Jones, in one picture only, sharing an important part of his life.

But just as important it is to share the exact opposit. A thousand words from a knowledged wine person can paint a whole new and different picture within your own mind – and by doing so quite possibly transfer some fragments of the magic, which in turn will enrich your own storytelling.

- Louise Hurren telling her wine story in her own special way.

But there is more to it. For a wine lover the moment when sharing a bottle of wine is in itself a golden opportunity to exchange stories, memories, expectations and true feelings – whether they are happy or sad. And a great will wine possibly get even greater when enjoyed in company.

- Magdalene Beverari and Luiz Alberto sharing the joy of wine.

Sharing is believing. But without the sharing there would not be that many believing and happy wine persons around. Wine is definitely a social product – that we all know. And by sharing it – in any aspect of the word, we also make sure our verdict will be heard.

- Franciacorta producer Emanuele Rabotti share his story on Monte Rossa.

So, each time you drink a new wine; make sure you keep on telling what you think of it. Take pictures, write or blog, tell others – because that is really the only way to make sure that the wine world eventually get your opinion. Just like the participants of the European Wine Bloggers’ Conference did in Italy last year….

- A fine collection of EWBC 2011 participants in Brescia, Italy.

The Adegga Wine Market consisted of two tastings;
First of all we had the main tasting (€7,50) of more than 280 wines from 35 producers.
Then there was the “Premium Room” tasting (€20) of simply stunning wines, going back to 1863.

Focussing on the main tasting I had the chance to taste about 15 percent of the wines – I like to concentrate on the different wines and also talk/listen to the producers about their products.

The tasting was a huge success – and with more than 850 guests it easily took some time to get your glass poured with the wines you wanted to taste…

Following my good friend Luiz Alberto – The Wine Hub – (picture right) I give you a list of the eleven best wines I tasted (in tasting sheet order) during the Adegga Wine Market 2011:

1.1: Grande Follies 2009 (white)
http://www.adegga.com/wine/AVIN4916728611984-grande-follies-2009
Winery: Aveleda   |   Region: Bairrada, Portugal
Grape varieties: Chardonnay  |  Bical  |  Maria Gomes

5.2: Esporão Reserva 2009 (red)
http://www.adegga.com/wine/AVIN5089681514346-esporao-reserva-2009
Winery: Esporão   |   Region: Alentejo, Portugal
Grape varieties: Aragonês  |  Trincadeira  |  Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Alicante Bouschet

5.3: Esporão Private Selection Reserva 2010 (white)
http://www.adegga.com/wine/AVIN9677905613904-esporao-private-selection-reserva-2010
Winery: Esporão   |   Region: Alentejo, Portugal
Grape varieties: Semillon  |  Marsanne  |  Roussanne

5.4: Esporão Private Selection Garrafeira 2008 (red)
http://www.adegga.com/wine/AVIN5971236508507-esporao-private-selection-garrafeira-2008
Winery: Esporão   |   Region: Alentejo, Portugal
Grape varieties: Alicante Bouschet  |  Aragonês  |  Syrah

6.1: Herdade do Portocarro 2008 (red)
http://www.adegga.com/wine/AVIN4028683643716-herdade-do-portocarro-2008
Winery: Herdade do Portocarro   |   Region: Terras do Sado, Portugal
Grape varieties: Aragonez  |  Alfrocheiro  |  Cabernet Sauvignon

6.2: Cavalo Maluco 2008 (red)
http://www.adegga.com/wine/AVIN2633863720631-cavalo-maluco-2008
Winery: Herdade do Portocarro   |   Region: Terras do Sado, Portugal
Grape varieties: Touriga Franca  |  Touriga Nacional  |  Petit Verdot

7.1: Raya 2008 (red)
http://www.adegga.com/wine/AVIN0206120221749-raya-2008
Winery: Horta de Gonçalpares Soc. Agrícola Lda.   |   Region: Beiras, Portugal
Grape varieties: Touriga Nacional  |  Touriga Franca  |  Tinta Roriz

22.3: Quinta do Pinto Viognier 2008 (white)
http://www.adegga.com/wine/AVIN9201339457294-quinta-do-pinto-viognier-2008
Winery: Winery Quinta do Pinto   |   Region: Lisboa, Portugal
Grape variety: Viognier

22.4: Quinta do Pinto Viognier & Chardonnay 2007 (white)
http://www.adegga.com/wine/AVIN6476811561513-quinta-do-pinto-viognier-chardonnay-2007
Winery: Quinta do Pinto   |   Region: Estremadura, Portugal
Grape varieties: Viognier  |  Chardonnay

22.9: Quinta do Pinto Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (white)
http://www.adegga.com/wine/AVIN6312130802558-quinta-do-pinto-sauvignon-blanc-2010
Winery: Quinta do Pinto   |   Region: Lisboa, Portugal
Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc

32.1: Castello D’Alba – Reserva 2010 (white)
http://www.adegga.com/wine/AVIN5698191721795-castello-dalba-reserva-2010
Winery: VDS – Vinhos Douro Superior, Lda   |   Region: Douro, Portugal
Grape varieties: Códega do larinho  |  Rabigato  |  Viosinho

These were the wines:

2001:
• CUNE Imperial Reserva
• Viña Ardanza Reserva Especial
• LAN Culmen Reserva
• Viña Tondonia Reserva
• Remelluri Reserva
• Marqués de Vitoria Gran Reserva
• Baron de Ley Gran Reserva
+
• Viña Ardanza Reserva 1987

Here are the tasting notes:

CUNE Imperial Reserva 2001
Colour: Medium deep, ruby red.
Nose: Rich and toasted fruit, quite high acidity.
Taste: A lot of toasted oak, hints of butter scotch. After a couple of hours; Rich apricot notes.
Conclusion: Still young. Needs a lot of air or a long time in the decanter.
Score (Before/After): 90/93

Viña Ardanza Reserva Especial 2001
Colour: Medium red. Signs of maturity.
Nose: Orange marmalade, chocolate, cloves. Turning to strawberry jam, and finally (after one hour) to apricot – like a Tokaj wine. Nice!
Taste: Soft tannins, fresh and balanced. A touch of green tannins in the finish, and good acidity. Complex.
Conclusion: A stunningly beautiful wine that lingers on and evolves wonderfully in the glass. After one hour it smell and taste like the 1987!
Score (Before/After): 94/97

LAN Culmen Reserva 2001
Colour: Deep, ruby red.
Nose: Bordeaux style, asian spices.
Taste: Compact, rich, a lot of toast. Green tannins, but not from the stems – only skin.
Conclusion: Still very young. Needs cellaring.
Score (Before/After): 92/92

Viña Tondonia Reserva 2001
Colour: Medium red. Signs of maturity.
Nose: Plastic, sulfur.
Taste: Thin, not much fruit, unbalanced.
Conclusion: Disappointing.
Score (Before/After): 84/82

Remelluri Reserva 2001
Colour: Medium deep, ruby red.
Nose: Damp, moldy – like the smell of nature when walking in the forest late in the afternoon. Toast character is quite similar to Culmen.
Taste: Quite toasted, but balanced to the fruit. The alcohol is a bit obvious. Nice green but elegant finish.
Conclusion: A wine that bets better in the glass every minute. Impressive!
Score (Before/After): 93/94

Marqués de Vitoria Gran Reserva 2001
Colour: Medium deep, ruby red.
Nose: Quite light, nice sweet fruit. OK acidity.
Taste: Lacks fruit, finishes with too much acidity/oakiness.
Conclusion: Too much sulfur makes it a bit unpleasant to drink. Good, but nothing more.
Score (Before/After): 88

Baron de Ley Gran Reserva 2001
Colour: Medium deep, ruby red.
Nose: Quite toasted, rich wine with a bit too moldy character.
Taste: Rich, acidic, a bit hollow and lacks balance. After a while in the glass it gains better balance between acidity and orange/apricot fruit.
Conclusion: Needs at least 15 minutes in the glass.
Score (Before/After): 89/91

Viña Ardanza Reserva 1987
Colour: Quite lighter orange colour with some freshness.
Nose: Pencil, moldy autumn leaves, lovely!
Taste: Mature, nice complex balance between acidity and mature fruit.
Conclusion: Incredibly consistent to the character of the 2001 Ardanza Reserva Especial!
Score (Before/After): 95/95
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The winners were both vintages of the Ardanza + the Remelluri 2001. The Ardanza is a true pleasure, especially because it constantly evolves into new delightful characters during a couple of hours.
The apricot character of the Ardanza was delightful. Love it!