ENOTECA Wine & Bar (已結業)

继上一回「Tapas & Wine Pairing Trial」的活动后，在短短的日子里，又缘定「罗讷河谷」之约，藉著法国五月之名，再一次步入「心藏不露的品酒空间」— 「ENOTECA」，令人雀跃万分！「罗讷河谷」位于法国的东南部，那里气候温暖、阳光明媚，是法国最早的葡萄酒产区。时至今日， 「罗讷河谷」 AOC 葡萄酒的产量只仅次于波尔多，约占法国葡萄酒总产量 14%，罗讷河谷今年获选为法国五月的主题酒品，必定有其独突之处。当天「ENOTECA」，为大家准备了五款酒品，一款 Sparkling Wine, 一款白酒及三款红酒，事实上「罗讷河谷」以酿制红酒闻名，红酒占该区总产量达 94% 。「ENOTECA」细心地采选了几款法式小食来配对「罗讷河谷」的酒品，最吸引我注意的是 Saucisson 及 Sausage。平日较少接触表面布满白色粉末，看似绷硬，外型不甚讨好的 Saucisson 及 Sausage，这次大可在两位法国专家的指导下，放胆一试。Saucisson 的主材料是以 2/3 瘦猪肩肉和 1/3 脂肪制造，Sausage 则以其他肉类为主，两者均是全天然风干，经过自然发酵后，面层便会产生白色粉状的霉菌。法国人喜欢在餐前轻尝 Saucisson 及 Sausage 作为小食。Pate 相信是不少人的至爱，对怕胖的我而言，既爱之又恨之！当天的 Pate 手工细致，俨如一件漂亮的糕点。当中的 Small Pate 更加入了鸡油菌和 20% 的鸭肝，再怕胖也没理由拒美食于千里！这款小球状的 Mini Balls of Saucisson 很有趣，「一口」的大小，更方便进食。还有鸭肝和鹅肝制造的 Terrine，正期待著小食与美酒带出的完美配对。Gerard Bertrand Aigle Noir Brut 2004, Cremant de Limoux首先品尝的是 Sparkling Wine，色泽金黄、气泡幼细，甜度较一般香槟稍高，但对我这个不爱甜的女士来说，该甜度恰好提供足够的诱惑度，令爱甜的女士们更易被打动。除了令女士们有著好感的甜度外，Gerard Bertrand Aigle Noir Brut 2004, Cremant de Limoux 亦带著点点果香，予人轻快活泼之感！法国专家告知以 Walnuts Saucisson 及 Small Country Pate 搭配这款 Sparkling Wine。Walnuts Saucisson 咸度与油脂感较轻盈，而合桃的幽香，承托著酒香，相当不错；而 Small Country Pate 口感幼滑顺和，肝藏和猪肉等的香气清而不俗，美味得很，两者均与 Sparkling Wine 很匹配。Charles Hours Happy Hours Cool Sec 2007, Jurancon瓶身设计轻松，富有时尚感，尤其看到夺目的「Happy Hour」字眼，不难被其吸引。入口带有一点沉郁韵调，味道与酒香也较为平淡，显然是要突出那股具有个性及独特的调子，相信这款白酒有待知音人的发掘。不过其优点也尽在那平淡的韵调中显露，它能与各类食品缔造和谐的感觉。除多添了 Walnuts Saucisson 及 Small Country Pate，还加入了趣致的 Mini Ball of Suacissons 为白酒配搭。小圆球状的 Suacisson，要比扁平块状的 Suacisson 富有嚼感，在口腔中左右动弹，渗出独有的橄榄香气和油脂，让齿颊留香，这个小球真令人回味！由于「罗讷河谷」多样化的土质，葡萄酒多采用非单一的葡萄酿制，因而带出「罗讷河谷」的特色来，接下来的是三款不同的红酒。Domaine des Escaravailles La Ponce Rasteau 2009, Cotes-du-Rhone瓶身招纸的甲虫成为此红酒的标记。呈深紫的色泽，透出橄榄、樱桃和黑莓等香气，结尾带著点点甜韵。Domaine des Bosquets 2010, Gigondas色泽紫红，口感丰厚、油滑，除了杂莓，还有由香草带出的甘味。Domaine Durieu 2010, Chateauneuf-du-Pape当晚三款红酒中，这一款是我的至爱。由于年份较新，在饮用前必须让其适度透气，否则酸性较强烈，且不能发挥原有的真正酒香，那会便太可惜了！Domaine Durieu 2010, Chateauneuf-du-Pape 口感圆滑，口腔瞬间充斥著莓香、香草及花香等细腻香气，属于层次较鲜明与细密的红酒。脂香较盛的 Saucisson 及 Sausage 用作配衬红酒，最合适不过。尤其气味浓郁的 Duck Cured Sausage，红酒与鸭香相得益彰！除了法国五月，「ENOTECA」已为夏日添上新酒品，是次加入几款较为独特，且市面亦较少以杯装品尝的红白餐酒，当天细听经理 Chris 的简述，已感到很有新鲜感和值得一试。当天不单与 「罗讷河谷」约会，还以非常优惠的价钱，将适合女士口味的 Gerard Bertrand Aigle Noir Brut 2004, Cremant de Limoux，和我喜欢的 Mini Balls of Saucisson 带回家，为 Home Gathering 增添存酒和小食。在我执笔的一刻，法国五月的活动已告完结，不过「ENOTECA」仍能为爱酒的人儿继续提供不同的美酒与小食，还有一个非常专业及舒适的品酒空间。当然更不容错过明年「ENOTECA」的法国五月活动，品尝美酒、小食之余，还可以以超值价购买酒品，一次过满足几个愿望，原来「ENOTECA」就是快乐的泉源！ 继续阅读

 首先请见谅，这篇Blog文的照片实在太差，如果引起眼睛不适，对不起。因为这天没有带相机，而食友这天突然问我去不去Enoteca，有个wine tasting event, 看到Enoteca已经双眼发光，怎样抗拒? 但时间太紧迫，实在没有时间回家拿相机，那只好用手机拍拍好了.....这夜尝了四款酒，在以下时间会逐一为大家介绍。Enoteca选的酒都是好货色，价钱上由二三百元至数万元都有；而对小妹来说，酒龄尚浅，实在不必要花数千元买一支酒，对我来说，数百元已经不错，最紧要是值回票价。而在IFC的分店，除了有酒卖外之余，还有大约20多个的座位，有BAR枱，亦有图中的椅子圆枱。枱子和圆枱有甚么? 当然给客人使用吧。只要在Enoteca买$500以上的酒，便可以在这里移到Wine & Bar享用美酒，完全是free corkage的，我听到这里，已经觉得非常划算；大家都应该知道餐厅mark up的价钱不低吧，如果自己带酒亦要付$200-$500的corkage，而在这里，可以免收，真的非来不可。有时喝酒，又想来些吃的又怎么办? 位于IFC的分店还供应了各款小食，当中有芝士、ham和鹅肝等，价钱也不过是数十元而已。在中环的朋友又多一个好去处，实在太棒了!!我相信我在不久的将来定会来一赵的。Brut Nomine Renard Champagne NV $390先来一杯Champagne，其实大部份的 Champagne质素都不错，始终只有在 Champagne区的才可以叫 Champagne，而且酿制方法也有一定的限制。而这支Nomine Renard，由3种提子blend成，40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Meunier and 30% Pinot Noir；口感细腻，汽泡细致，带著清新的果香，非常易入口。Seared Scallop with Chili Mango SalasEnoteca为我们准备了数款美食来配是晚的美酒，先来的是带子，带子煎至半生熟，外层带著轻轻的焦香，中间部位肉质软滑；带子味道亦很浓郁，鲜甜得很；而那Mango Salas则由新鲜芒果和芒果干制成，大大增加了口感，而汁酱亦做得清甜美味；当配上那香槟后，味道来得更浓郁，大大提升了带子的鲜味。Sileni Estate Straits Sauvignon Blanc 2012 $210此白酒用上了Sauvignon Blanc，那是很典型的Sauvignon Blanc味，充满著番石榴香，另外还带有热带果的味道，口感细腻，属medium body，很balance。Poached White Asparagus with Orange Hollandaise现在正是吃白露笋的季节，白露笋爽脆带甜，配上自家制的Orange Hollandaise非常美味，带著清新的橙香，质感creamy幼滑；而旁边还有36个月的黑毛猪，肉质软滑，带著油脂，非常香口。配上白酒时，白露笋的味道亦作出了变化，很喜欢。Sassicaia Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri Sassicaia 2010 $1800OMG! 除了用这三个字形容外，已经没有其他形容词。Sassicaia的根源其实可追溯到法国正大酒庄Lafite，由Lafite带到Tuscany，所以绝对能称为带有Lafite的影子。说实话，2010年的Sassicaia就像未满月的婴儿，但亦因为未满月，所以入口很young，很smooth，十分纯真；带有阵阵的胡椒，香草等的香气；而且Tears很美，不轻易掉下的眼泪说明了这支酒带有点甜，非常balance的一支意大利酒。Stew Veal Cheek with Seasonal Vegetables既然喝婴儿酒，那不妨用上牛仔肉来配衬，大家都很young。牛仔肉肉质很嫩，因为要配Sassicaia，所以那酱汁不会浓得过火；当与 Sassicaia 配上时，肉味更突出，非常好的配搭。L'Effronte Vin Moelleux Matrot 2009 $290喝过champagne、white wine and red wine, 当然要来甜酒。这支sweet wine来自Burgundy，甜度适中，因为带有少少的酸，所以入口不会像喝糖水似的， 充满著杏脯香和桃香，入口creamy细腻；很喜欢。Lavender Creme Brulee with Vanilla Ice CreamEnoteca为我们准备了creme brulee做甜品，而那紫色的则是薰衣草；薰衣草味道非常强劲；而creme brulee的texture亦creamy幼滑，而那焦糖脆脆的带点焦香，很美味；感到腻时，吃上云尼拿雪糕，再喝一口甜酒，多完美的组合。Enoteca本来是一间wine cellar，来到IFC后，变成了一间Wine & Bar，这个concept实在不错呢。而且这间店在日本已有多年的历史，选酒亦不错，所以大家绝对可以放心在这里买酒，不会太差的。 继续阅读

From now until end of May, Enoteca are doing a Rhone food and wine matching experience.I was really lucky to be invited to go because I am not an expert on wines so it was the perfect opportunity to find out more.The wine selection was quite impressive with prices starting at $1xx.At the tasting session, the wines available for tasting wereomaine Durieu 2010, Chateauneuf-du-PapeDomaine des Bosquets 2010, GigondasDomaine des Escaravailles La Ponce Rasteau 2009, Cote du RhoneCharles Hours Happy Hours Cool Sec 2007, JuranconGerard Bertrand Aigle Noir Brut 2004, Cremant de LimouxThey varied from different levels of pepperiness and wine tannins.To go with the wines, there wasate en croute - Richelieu, Porcini saucisson, Walnuts Saucisson, Duck cured sausage, Mini balls of saucissons.My favourite was the pate en croute which went well with all the wines. The waxier saucissons went well with the strong peppery wines. 继续阅读

Originating from Tokyo, WINE SHOP ENOTECA is a wine specialist with 6 retail shops in Hong Kong. The latest shop in IFC is a new conceptual wine bar for wine lovers to casually enjoy wine & food matching as a part of city lifestyle. Specializing in quality wines from France and Italy, it sources directly from the place of origin to ensure quality. I recently attended a 4-course tapas and wine pairing event at the ENOTECA in IFC in collaboration with Chef Andrew from BACKYARD, a private catering company.  What sets ENOTECA apart from other wine shops is the classy and elegant seating area in the back of the store. It had a corner bar table as well as several comfy sofa chairs - perfect for people to hang out, drink wine and sample cheese and snacks.  Nominé-Renard Brut NV, Champagne ($390) - the first wine we tried was this Nominé-Renard Brut Champagne made with a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. Light and nutty, the wine was dry with small bubbles and very fine mousse.Seared Scallops wtih Chili Mango Salsa - the champagne was paired perfectly with this refreshing scallops appetizer. The scallops were lightly seared on the surface while the inside was still raw. They were soft and sweet to eat while the tart and acidic mango salsa complimented the delicate flavors of the scallops very well. The dried mango bits in the mango salsa was a nice touch as well. Sileni Estate Selection The Straits Sauvignon Blanc 2012 ($210) - a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, this wine was very aromatic with rich gooseberry and passion fruit scents. It was at this point that we noticed the use of a thermometer by the staff to check on the temperature of the wine to make sure it was served to us at the right temperature. Apparently the temperature can play a big role in ensuring the full potential of taste of the wine. Poached White Asparagus with Orange Hollandaise - the white wine was paired with white asparagus that is in season right now. I love the hollandaise sauce that was drizzled on the asparagus as it was made with orange juice - a nice change of pace from the usual recipe. Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2010, Bolgheri ($1800) - the wine we were all waiting for! An Italian wine producer in Toscana, Tenuta San Guido is known as a producer of "Super Tuscan" wine. Its wine Sassicaia is considered one of Italy's leading Bordeaux-style red wines. Made with 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, the red wine was intense and concentrated with complex aromas of fruits, spices, and herbs. The flavors were rich and elegant with firm tannins and a long finish. Stew Veal Cheek with Seasonal Vegetables - the Sassaicaia was paired with a rich veal cheek that was very soft and tender. Paired with sweet vegetables, the veal cheek was simply delectable to eat! Domaine Matrot L’Effronté Moelleux 2009, Burgundy ($290) - the last dessert wine we got to taste was a surprise hit! Made from the grape variety Aligoté, it offers a range of fresh fruit aromas such as quince, peach and apricot. The balance between sweetness and acidity was perfect - I fell in love with this dessert wine on the spot!Lavender Creme Brulee with Vanilla Ice Cream - to go with the dessert wine, our dessert of the day was a lavender creme brulee with vanilla ice cream. The purple glazing alluded to the secret ingredient in the dessert at first glance. The scent of the lavender was light and soothing while the flavor was subtle in the creme brulee to my relief. I've never like lavender in food to be honest, but the inclusion here wasn't intrusive at all. ENOTECA is perfect for all wine lovers. You will not find commercialized or machine-made wines here - instead, you will find high quality wines that were all carefully selected. While the food that we had from BACKYARD is not available regularly, the wine bar does provide snacks, pate, cheese platters and sweets to go with the wine of your choice. Between the impressive wine selection and knowledgeable staff, ENOTECA Wine & Bar is the perfect spot for happy hour with friends to take a break from the busy city lifestyle.   继续阅读

小妹素来不好杯中物，身旁友人，更非杜康之辈。上年，在亲家的寿宴上，有幸呷了一口清纯带芳香，余味悠长的Château Beychevelle，惊为天人。是日，与甜姐儿SSG一齐出席法国五月节的推广活动 - 罗讷河谷葡萄酒(Rhoney Valley Wines)和Enoteca携手呈献的美酒佳肴试食会。五月，小妹先在麦麦烧内品尝了白酒和清酒，继而在Bricklane试了数款craft beer，到今晚Enoteca的白葡萄酒和红酒，可谓「酒」福不浅了﹗ 这个月所饮下的酒水，足足是十多年来的总和，身边好友不禁对小妹的举动大感好奇。放心，小妹绝不会沉迷或酗酒的，只是好奇，浅尝而矣﹗ 是晚，在Enoteca内，竟意外地发现了那一瓶教小妹魂牵梦绕的Château Beychevelle $880(中间那枝)。太贵了。﹗ 不然，会买一枝回家品尝。去到时，发生了一段小插曲：SSG向店员表明了来意，惜店员未能在邀请名单上找到我们的名字。SSG报上真实的名字时，店员误以为我们想找某品牌的酒，竟取出一枝「Helene」$390。甜姐儿SSG配美酒Helene，绝配也﹗ 是晚，Enoteca提供五款由Rhone出品的酒和小食供大家品尝。酒由右至左，由平到贵，由浅到浓顺序排列。在专业品酒师哥哥的解说和指导下，我们逐一品尝了五款酒，并配上适合小吃同吃。Gerard Bertrand Aigle Noir Brtu 2004, Cremant de Limoux $160这只白葡萄气泡酒酒入口果味浓郁，口感柔顺清新，色泽金黄，有大量气泡不断由杯底向上涌出，恰如地上泉水向上涌般，视觉效果一流。Charles Hours Happy Hours Cool Sec 2007, Jurancon $170这一只带果味的白酒酒味与第一只相近，只是酸度较高，味道较浓了少许。此外，其包装显然是不落俗套的，予人青春活力之感。接续而来的是三枝宝红色红酒，味道相似，层次不同，颇为do-re-me之感﹗ Domaine des Escaravailles La Ponce Rasteau 2009, Cotes-du-Rhone $260酒体饱满，酒体和味道明显较前两者为密为浓，且带微微辛辣味，适宜选配浓味小吃同吃，酒味不是小妹喜欢的味儿。 Domaine des bosquets 2010,Gigondas $350的辛辣味更上一层楼，果红也较烈，其他分别不太。三款中，最贵的Domaine Durieu 2010, Chateauneuf-du-Pape $420确是突颢了其身价了。小妹虽是品酒初哥，未能细致地分辨出它们的不同，但肯定的是，此酒酒体醇厚，表现力强，口感圆润，且韵味留长，教人回味。Mini Balls of Saucissons这一款的迷你波波香肠造形蛮有趣的，初看似一粒粒的腌制橄榄。咬下，质感干硬，富甘美丰润的油香。接著，也分别试了三款油脂丰腴，咸香非常，口感各异的肠。先尝较为硬实烟韧、须花气力咀嚼的Duck Cured Sausage 腊鸭肠；接著，轮到质感香软油润、散发菇菌暗香的Porcini Saucisson牛肝菌肠出场了；最后，由带咬口且坚果香味的Walnuts Saucisson核桃肠殿后。Small Pate 鹅肝酥饼鹅肝素有「Devil's Temptation」之称，是邪恶之物，香而不腻的鹅肝酥饼甚得小妹和SSG的芳心﹗在酥饼内，酿入鹅肝等馅料，一脆一淋，一硬一软，口感丰富，香脆酥软，而毫不油腻，配白酒红酒一流也。 继续阅读