(Grr I hate this computer. I don’t know how to type Danish letters in Windows and there’s no character viewer.)

(I don’t really know any Danish, I just like to pretend I do.)

Chuck, thanks so much for your links to your postings on Pierre Gagnaire and a very kind thank you for mentioning me in your post. Your Manresa sound fantastic and your photos of the food make me long to go there.

“Gastronaut”, the 1999 Maison Leroy Montagny 1 Cru is an excellent suggestion but making it even more difficult to choose what to drink. I might have to make a little survey.
And thank you very much for your sweet invitation – would love to come of course, but sitting right now in my summer house West from Copenhagen makes it rather difficult, unfortunately.

I have tried a 2003 Jobard which was great,but not 2004 one. On the other hand the two 2004 Domaine Leflaive were both amazing and not too acidic in their finish as far as I recall. So, what to do?

I was a bit hasty reading your question about which wine I would prefer. I didnt see that they were not all 1997. In that case I would take the 2004 Dom. Leflaive.

But why not look further sown their list and take the 1999 Montagny 1 Cru from Maison Leroy ? Never tried a white Leroy though.

It’s worth trying, and his fish is always perfect.

My best meal ever:
http://chuckeats.com/blog3/2006/10/04/gagnaire-paris-best-meal-of-my-life/

A very average meal:
http://chuckeats.com/blog3/2006/10/15/gagnaire-paris-strictly-business/

A letdown with a huge price tag:
http://chuckeats.com/blog3/2007/03/29/pierre-gagnaire-paris-what-is-value/

I would believe the 1997 Bourgogne Blanc to have lost most of what attracts me to a wine, freshness, youth, flower…but I would follow the advice of YKL and go for the Maison Leroy.

I actually tried the Dom. Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc but in 2004 or 2005 at a wine bar recently. It was easily the best simple Burgundy white I had ever had with a very good nose.

But would I order a Bourgogne blanc at a top restaurant – nope.
So you are right in some fashion. Meet Mr. Wine Snob.

Im going to the Schlossberg on Sunday with a good friend of mine, a French sommelier. Its always nice to discuss wines and food with someone who knows the business. I am sure you would enjoy participating. Can you come ?

As for the Bonnes Mares in Paris…my mind nicely forgot about your question, because……I forgot. Which buggers me. It came at around 300 euro for a recent vintage, thats all I remember. And it was very good, but not a “top of the pops” producer to my knowledge.

Would a “just” Bourgogne make any sense to you, like one of these below – knowing it’s presumably below your standard, but anyway:

1997 Bourgogne Blanc 465
Maison Leroy

2004 Bourgogne Blanc 395
Remi Jobard

2004 Bourgogne Blanc 565
Domaine Leflaive

Would make a 50%/50% split on my next lunch date…

Speaking of restaurants and Paris, my number one choice for when I go to Paris next time has to be Pierre Gagnaire. From what I’ve read and seen in photos at Laurent’s from this place, I just can’t miss it.

my choices from their list

Chardonnay “Art Series“ 2003, Leeuwin – Margeret River 745, -
Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet 1999, Domaine Leflaive 1495, -

Chambolle Musigny 2003, Meo-Camuzet 695, -
Chambolle Musigny “Les Feusselottes” 2003, Domaine Meo-Camuzet 895, -
Nuits St. Georges “Aux Boudots” 2003, Domaine Meo-Camuzet 1100, -
Chambertin Clos de Béze 2003, A. Rousseau 1400, -

I like young and fat wines…but many would argue that 2003 has way too much sun, and are not typical Burgundy. I love them. But I also drink wines too young rather than too old. Like the feeling of a wine were I can imagine the potential it will have rather than have had.

I think their prices on Meo is quite fair whereas their offerings of Medoc wines are way to expensive. For example the 1999 Mouton is at 3775, – a 1000,- more than at Falsled !!!.

And the Palmer 2003 is a TOP vine, but I have to admit, way to young and powerful still. Try the more laid back and delicate 1996.

Else the other side of the river has some fine offerings…

Château Pavie 2001, 1. Grand Cru Classé 1200, -
Château Magdelaine 2000, 1. Grand Cru Classé 870, -
Château l’Angelus 2000, 1. Grand Cru Classé 1800, -

But go for the Meo….please…Have the Leflaive Grand cru and just a village Meo if the wallet cant breath…

I have been to Munkebo only twice, one of which was sublime and the second time almost as good. So have fun.

Do I like wine more than food….well, no I dont think so. I eat and drink every day. I have travelled Denmark for good food only NOT for wine lists…From Henne Kirkeby Kro, Fakkelgaarden, Munkebo, Marie Louise, Rudolf Mathies, Falsled, Babette, Saison, Noma, Formel B, Ensemble, Era Ora and certainly not least to Söllerod Kro.

Among my favourites abroad…is Lameloise in Chagny, Le Cinq in Paris, Le Carré des Feuillants in Paris, and recently added Schlossberg in Nennig Germany (My third and 4th visit coming up here real soon).

Biggest disappointment have been Sonora 3 stars in Wittlich Germany and Auberge de Ill, Mosconi and Table Guillaux, both 2 stars in Luxembourg.

Can a wine list make me prefer one restaurant over another….yeah probably it can, but I think that you are wrong when you say that I put wine above food. You must realize that the way you describe things food and wine…with such detail and dedication, I have really little to offer or add.

Thus my request from me to you…Please let your brain, mouth and spirit try the sublime wines as well, and let us hear what you think. And with the wine list of Munkebo Kro and price policy they seem to remain on most offerings, it would be a crime to go for a wine menu when you go there.

Sorry, you got me blabbering away again….

Okay then, while you’re here, I’m going to Munkebo Kro in the (hopefully) not too far future and it’s famous (somewhat at least) for its wine list. Which Bordeaux would you recommend me then? Palmer? I guess the Château Margaux there is way way out of my wallet’s league.

Assuming your Burgundy pick would be a Meo-Camuzet?

Ah, your Bonnes Mares, which producer did you say that was?

Thank you, “Gastronaut”!

(sorry but do wonder a bit about your name as you seem to me like more of a wine lover than a foodie, if you don’t mind me saying so).

He then asked what we were having….their staff of sommeliers is of course informed about this and know when they tend the table, but he was sort of working “free lance”, – When I then said that we wanted red Burgundy with the main dishes, he did produce a worried face as well as claiming it could be difficult with the scallops. So when I informed him my idea….he said perfect choice and then explained why….hardly any acidity etc. so there you go…

And I like the “debate” with a sommelier as well, even look forward to it…but it just refreshing that once in a while you meet a true professional and top sommelier, and he just gives you the credit….when you get that the first time…you will love it Trine I am sure.

I realize and apologize if this is taking the focus away from your brilliantly written rewiew of another noma visit, but on the other hand, I have the feeling there will be many more of those to be looking forward.

I do know the feeling though. To feel special is an essential thing about dining out those fine places.

Too, it’s wonderful when you see the excitement in the eyes of the sommelier. I still very clearly remember the very sympathetic and passionate and professional sommelier from the Zirbelstube in Bad Mergentheim. A great place I would love to go back to.

Of course I realize the argument that a wine served by the glass recommended by a sommelier to a certain dish could often be preferable, but I would still argue that the pleasure you get out of top drops would compensate for that and that my experience even if top restaurants many times have been that at least half of a wine menu did not fit my tongue, even if I could understand the different considerations a sommelier had done in suggesting a particular wine.

But best thing is to actually ask the sommelier if a wine is totally out there, but sometimes…insist….cause I believe that often he/she would always feel the urge to professionally guide you and hence suggest his/hers alternative, justifying his exsistence.

Best experience I have had here was in Le Cinq last year – where I had a nice talk with Eric Beaumard, head of the restuarant, former best sommelier of the world and an institution in French gastronomy….I asked him for his opinion of my choice of a red Burgundy to St. Jaques and Lamb, our two main dishes, and further said that a Bonnes Mares had caught my eye…..He folded the wine “book” and said…perfect choice. (I am not sure it was….but it was such a good feelig, having this great man telling you – you made a good choice. And at least with my lamb it was a sublime wine. And the missus didnt complain either….liked the wine more than the dish. Going back to Le Cinq by the way next month…but first I have a German 3 star coming up next week…just bragging here….

Well, thank you for this very long list and intriguing comment. Very kind of you!

I wish I were richer! But your advice on picking a village wine from one of the world’s best producers, that’s a very good idea. I love very good wines. To understand you better, what you’re requesting is to read a post from my hand combing the very best food with top-notch a wines? Presumably not an average food experience with a Armand Rousseau 1er Cru Lavaux St-Jacques Gevrey-Chambertain, for example?

I mean the wet and dry combination of sublimity? (The personal level as you state it). And, on the other hand, not only what I think of a wine from a top producer and how I describe it?

Have tried both the Pichon Comtesse de Lalande and Baron Pichon Longueville (from 2000) and they made me change my mind completely about Bordeaux. A positive note. Perhaps, I should put Bordeaux on my 2008 list. Leroy and Meo-Camuzet are already on my wish list.

You beeing a dedicated Pinot Noir drinker – and me beeing a Bordeaux fan, I might not be the one to tell you….but nevertheless I shall try.
In my humble opinion a good split on the bill between food and wine is 50%/50%. I think that when you have the possibility to try these top kitchens in the world, some of them only once or twice you should give the food the credit and yourself the pleasure that is only found in the best.

Whats the best then….very hard to tell….not knowing your taste…only knowing your ability to describe whatever you are eating or drinking with the perfection of a poetic writer or wine critic.

Anyway, since my missus is a Burgundy friend wedo often land their, and my most devive experiences there red-wise has been wines from Rousseau, Leroy and my favourite of them all Meo-Camuzet. You will find that these producers get more out of a Village wine than most others do from Premier Cru, even Grand Cru ones. White wines…if you ever get the chance try a Nuits-saint-georges from for example Philippe Gavignet. Otherwise I cant complain with your choises of Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet or Chassagne-Montrachet. Again here Domaine Leflaive is a sure bet, Oliver Leflaive much more affordable and less delicate, but still a very nice drop. I tried the top of the pops of whites “Montrachet” a few times and here Marc Collin was to die for. The nose…I tell you….you would have wet your pants….or at least enjoyed it like a child enjoys Christmas.

Bordeauxwise, I am very conservative. I am sure even with your Pinot Noir pallette, you will enjoy a Chateau Margaux very much, and little more down the line a Pichon Comtesse de lalande or Baron Pichon Longueville would do nicely in your mouth too. One of my favourites is Chateau Palmer. Last time at Falsled Kro, I asked Marco to give me a blinder….out of my 4 suggestions….and I ended up with the 1999 Mouton Rothschild, and it was so sublime that I would not have liked to miss that experience. Even if it came at around 350 Euro, I think it was a bargain.

So for the medocs, a grand cru classé Margaux or Pauillac would be my first choice to suggest you, but if you dont like them too fat, stay away from the 2003.

Tried a Leoville las Cases 1998, its wonderful:

On the other side of the river, you will find many wonderful St. Emillions among the Grand Cru Classé ones. Pomerol I know almost nothing about…but if you ever need an advice from a certain list dont hesitate to contact me.

I dont say you should always drink these wines only, I am ust saying,,…you have Noma, one of the best restaurants of the world, around the corner, and apparently yougo their pretty often. You really should try one of their top Burgundys….Also look out for Anne Gros and lighter but elegant Rene Engel. A new little producer which I have stumbled upon abroad is Trapet, but I am not sure he is found in Copenhagen.

Good luck….and dont take this all too serious…hell its just my opinion…and you seem to have fun and enjoy the dining pleasures to a great extent.

But on a personal level I would be truly interested in your vote/judgement on some of the top drops I have been lucky to enjoy. And I have to repeat. Try a Meo-Camuzet, just a village one…you will fall in love immediately.

And thanks to you “Gastronaut”! I think you’ll have to state what exactly you mean by top wine?

Perhaps I should just bring my own next time?

The troll thing about Noma……well I laughed when I read it….and I totally agree, but I would refer it to the serving of the bread, the wooden furnishing and the “hunting” knives on the table….and the cave feel of the restaurant.

Cant wait to go back there one fine day….

Until then – keep up the good work.

P.S.
I wonder why you dont upgrade your wines in general, when I look at the amount of good food you are spoiling yourself with, I think you have yet to explore the true pleasures of combining top food with top wines. With your sublime palette and nose I am sure when you do go there one fine day, you will seldom go back…which of course is dangerous for any wallet. However, I would love to hear your descriptions of my favourite Burgundy or Bordeaux choices…I am sure you can find stuff in there I have never thought of….being just your average hobby drinker.