At the end of things

And like that, my time in Shanghai was over. An exhausting turn through customs at Pudong International Airport - overweight luggage, new baggage content restrictions. But we got through, alive. Covered in sweat, a little aggravated, a little wired - I needed a beer. Good, simple, refreshing Kirin.

So what of my time here? As I've shared over the past month and a half or so, I saw a lot of new things, gained some new insight into Shanghai...overall a successful trip. Always good to see and spend time with family, to pay your respects to your ancestors, and to remember where you come from. Food's not bad either. Also, this trip marked the first time I actively looked to always shoot photos. Always looking around, always checking for opportunities for good shots - yes, at times I was the obnoxious guy with the camera, showing no regard for other people in a public space. Hope you enjoyed the photos, and of course, always looking to improve.

Many thanks for your patience. These few weeks of writing exclusively about my trip have given me an opportunity to take a break from wine writing. I needed a break, to continue developing how I write about wine. As I return to this blog's proper subject matter, I hope that my writing is more articulate, more relevant, and more enjoyable to read. Here we go again!

DF

In the words of Comrade Deng

The father of modern China, our ever wise Comrade Deng XiaoPing. The story is that in the 1980's, as his economic reforms were coming to life, he came to Shanghai, circled an area on a map, and created Pudong. This was going to be the nerve centre of China's new economy. His presence hangs, still, over the city. The message reads to the effect of Continue to develop Pudong, without rest, until our dreams are realized.

DF

Streaming down, rising up

Pudong, Shanghai. Across the HuangPu River, to the east side of the city. It is magnificent. Against the backdrop of the Oriental Pearl Tower, trees adorned with LED streamers, people milling about - world class urbanity.

DF

West of the river

The renovations on the Bund are finally complete. Raised walkways, lit fountains, bright lights. The greatest waterfront in the world. Shanghai, China.

DF

The Bund at night

Back to the Bund a few days before I left Shanghai. As this was the period of the 2010 World Exposition, they keep the lights on all night. The buildings are stunning. Heavy police presence, but what was more unsettling was the enormous crowd. All non-Shanghainese out of towners. But I was there that night too, so what does that make me...

The way they project the lights, the grand outlines of the buildings - this is my city, a cosmopolitan urban paradise like no other.

DF

2004 Toscano

2004 Cabreo Il Borgo, IGT Toscano

You know, I was always offended by SuperTuscans. Or rather, what these wines represented. Sangiovese is a stunning grape, if done properly - why the Italians would feel the need to punch up the wines and make Tuscan clarets is a mystery. Money? Sure, but at the expense of your history, culture, and heritage?


Having said that - and I need to admit that I don't have much experience with SuperTuscans (something to do with price) - I was very impressed with this wine. The most memorable one for me, as it was dense with lots of graphite minerality, concentrated high tannic grip, with fantastic length. One to ably compete with fine Bordeaux.

DF

2006 Saint-Julien

2006 Château Lalande, AC Saint-Julien

A cru bourgeois Bordeaux, the most expensive wine offered at Vino Venue that day. Dark colour, dark berries and graphite on the bouquet, dense, high tannins, needs a good decade of bottle age. Very textbook Bordeaux character, which is good to see (and taste). Why they would put such a young, hard, tannic Bordeaux up for tasting is beyond me.

DF

2004 Rosso di Montalcino

2004 Fattoria dei Barbi, DOC Rosso di Montalcino

An unremarkable wine, because my notes read ...unremarkable, because I can't remember a single damn thing about this wine. An indication of the quality of the vast majority of Italian red wines nowadays?

DF

2006 Wrattonbully

2006 Briar Ridge Big Bully Cabernet Sauvignon, Wrattonbully

See what I mean about Vino Venue's love for Australia? This wine showed quite well - pure, balanced fruit, minty cabernet, well integrated alcohol, controlled oak - a terrific example of how restrained and elegant Australian wines can be if the palates involved understand wine.

DF

2006 Colchagua

2006 Los Vascos Grande Reserve, Colchagua

A star Chilean, from the Lafite Rothschild stable. Dominated by cabernet sauvignon, with the other parts made up by carménère, syrah and malbec. Dark colour, herbal and almost medicinal bouquet, lacking in fruit. They need a better understanding of their vineyard - this is not a good effort. More carménère would help.

DF

2007 Lodi

2007 Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin Zinfandel, Lodi

I don't drink much zinfandel. I don't like it, I don't see how it matches with food, and I just don't see the point of paying money to drink a ridiculously cartoonish wine. This one confirmed all of that for me. It was a monster, just all stewed fruit, hot and cooked, an undrinkable mess of a wine. Only Americans could like this shit.

DF

2008 Mendoza

2008 Alamos Selección Pinot Noir, Mendoza

This is an interesting one. Pale ruby red in colour, great first impression. Lots of crushed roses, very delicate, lots of varietal character. A delicious interpretation of pinot noir, very subtle and aromatic.

DF

2006 Hunter Valley

2006 Riverwood Chardonnay, Hunter Valley

Onto another Australian chardonnay. Well balanced, lean fruit, controlled oak - hey, this is more than just drinkable.

DF

2007 Bordeaux Blanc

2007 Pierre Rivière Signé Nature, AC Bordeaux

This claims to be an organic wine. White Bordeaux from who knows which appellation. Simple, easy wine for simple, easy palates.

DF

2005 South Eastern Australia

2005 Pepper Tree Wines Chardonnary, South Eastern Australia

I've heard horror stories about wines labelled as coming from South Eastern Australia - that term can refer to about 2/3 of the country. Low expectations, and the wine lived up to them. Buttery, creamy oak, but with enough acidity so that it stays drinkable.

DF

2008 Hunter Valley

2008 Pepper Tree Verdelho, Hunter Valley

Since selection was limited in terms of country, I figured I might as well plunge myself into Australia. Pale colour, green bouquet, lean, and needs age.

DF

2005 Bordeaux Blanc

2005 Château La Fontaine de Genin, AC Bordeaux

White Bordeaux to start. Lots of grassy, floral sauvignon, high acidity, but does lack concentration.

DF

What you need to start drinking

And here is all you need at Vino Venue. An Enomatic card. A stem (not perfect, but serviceable). And a roaring ambition to taste as many wines as you can in 45 minutes. Vino Venue, Shanghai.

DF

Vino Venue, interior

Inside Vino Venue, Shanghai. Really well appointed inside, comfortable chairs, cozy environment. We were the only ones. It was about 2 in the afternoon, perfect time to start drinking.

The banks of Enomatic machines are impressive. The selection? I was hoping for more white wines - probably 75% was red, with a focus on South America and Australia, with Bordeaux and SuperTuscany well represented. Was hoping for maybe Germany, or Spain, or Chinese wines. See, this is exactly the stuff that yuppies like to drink!

DF

Vino Venue Shanghai

This is Vino Venue in Shangai, 1970 HongQiao Road. A bit out of place, but the concept is interesting - a place for wine tasting and socializing, featuring several Enomatic machines. Sort of a cool place for the ex-patriate crowd to chill. I know how these things turn out. Willing to bet money that patrons are yuppies swirling wine like that's that - not a lot of fun. But I wanted to go take a look. Went out after lunch, turns out this place is in the middle of nowhere - and I'm pretty sure that cab driver was taking us for a ride. More photos, and wines tasted, next.

DF