Par Corinne Conroy,
mercredi 23 février 2011 à 15:28 ::Accueil
Deux grandes étapes annuelles, la Tchéquie et le Royaume-Uni, en ce début février avant de repartir pour l'Asie, début mars...quel rythme pour promouvoir Brane!!!!
Des rendez-vous formidables à ne pas manquer depuis plusieurs années, de par la grande qualité du public et l'accueil qui est fait à tous les propriétaires conviés, tant par Merlot d'Or que par Sebastian Payne et son équipe de Wine Society.
Par Mary,
mercredi 23 février 2011 à 11:45 ::Accueil
We had two major annual stops – the CzechRepublic and the United Kingdom – at the beginning of February, before we head to Asia at the beginning of March…what a busy schedule to promote Brane!
We’ve been attending these extraordinary ‘don’t miss’ events for several years…Extraordinary by virtue of the public and the quality with which the owners are received, both by Merlot d'Or and by Sebastian Payne and his team from Wine Society.
They are two tastings that are a real delight for us properties, since we get to meet loyal, knowledgeable connoisseurs who are starting to be very familiar with our wines and who know how to taste, asking the right questions in a relaxed and yet professional atmosphere. They are very polite, cheerful, and make efforts to speak French or English in the case of the Czechs, go out of their way to greet us and give us one or two compliments (from the British, that is)...these are really markets that are fun to travel to!
In Prague, a magnificent city where we were less cold than usual, we presented the 2008 vintage, which was very popular since it was more open and less tannic than the wines tasted last autumn. Like every year, we were superbly received by the Slatko team and ‘Merlot d’Or,’ which had devised an extraordinary menu for Friday night’s dinner at the Château. And – surprise – Brane was seated with the same wine enthusiasts as last year! A warm ambiance, absolutely remarkable wine and food pairings...it was truly breathtaking. The caterer accomplished a feat, for not only were the wines and foods perfectly paired, but everything was served professionally and at the right temperature.
As for England, we had two events, one in London and the other in Liverpool, BeatleCity! Nothing needs to be said about London. The venue -Merchant’s Taylor Hall - is always very imposing and so typically British!
And what about Liverpool, you ask? Ahhh….Liverpool! It’s really something else… We must admit that we were expecting the worst…it has the reputation of being a rather dull, sad city, grey like the weather…But not at all! Since it was named a World Heritage Site (2004) and was ‘European Capital in 2008,’ Liverpool has received extensive support from the European Union and has been totally transformed. We were surprised to discover a rather open, sunny, youthful and interesting city. Aside from the fact that it contains several buildings from the Victorian period that were mainly built by maritime and insurance companies, it is lucky to have a new modern, open riverfront that invites passers-by to stroll along the Mersey River. There’s a central pedestrian street where Liverpool…ians(?) can relax and go shopping in well-known international stores, eat dinner or lunch in stylish restaurants, or go to a museum (Walker Art Gallery or William Brown Museum and Library) totally for free. Not to mention, of course, its globally renowned soccer team!
Of course, several visits are necessary…. There’s the ultra-famous ‘The Cavern’ club where the Beatles started their dazzling career, and the gigantic Anglican cathedral, Church of Christ, which was completed at the end of 1978*, not to mention the more modern Cathedral of Christ the King which opened in 1967 and in whose crypt we held our tasting.
(*The Anglican cathedral, which was built on Saint James Mount in the city center between 1904 and 1942 and was finished in 1978, based on the designs of architect Giles Gilbert Scott, is the largest cathedral in the United Kingdom, the second largest Anglican cathedral in Europe and maybe the third largest Anglican cathedral in the world, rivalling with the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York).
The Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King is located on Hope Street and is made of concrete to resemble a large round 'tent.' With a diameter of 61 meters (200 feet), it offers an excellent environment for new liturgies but can also host many other events within its walls.The ceiling is the largest of its kind in the world.
Of course, there are a few very English particulars that shouldn’t be missed… The statue erected by the Suffragettes for example, or the luggage piled up on Hope Street, not far from our hotel. Not to mention the Superlambananas...equivalents of the cows that showed up on Bordeaux's streets last year before they were auctioned off for the Food Bank!
To learn more about Liverpool, a city that has revolved around marine activity and trade for centuries, visit www.visitliverpool.com or fly Bordeaux-Amsterdam-Liverpool…But be careful: For the return trip, your flight will leave at 6 in the morning! The bravest travellers will be treated to a noisy awakening at 3:45 am at their hotel!
Lest we have left you in doubt, here are some photos:
