An Importer’s Birthday
Text by Charles Borden
One advantage to being a wine importer in Russia is the ability to supply your birthday party with wine at cost. Normally Passport would not cover a birthday party like that thrown by Dmitri Pinski, but we have made an exception for two reasons: Pinski’s DP Trade is arguably the best quality wine importer and distributor in Russia, and the inventive format he chose for his 50th celebration. Dmitri picked 15 of his favorite wines from his import list and set up an elaborate tasting in one of the grand halls at the Ritz-Carlton for his friends and wine colleagues. Such an importer’s favorite list, selected from hundreds of wines by someone who has taken a very personal role in building the list over more than a decade, makes an interesting shopping list for our readers.
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When asked if these were his favorites, Dmitri demurred somewhat, “I have many, many favorites, but I have selected these three whites, ten reds, and two dessert wines to give guests a broad experience of wines from different countries.” The format of the tasting was well planned; white paper placemats were prepared with 15 circles arranged in an arc, each containing the name of a wine. The service staff had set a wine glass on each circle and at Dmitri’s bidding, a dozen or so wine servers brought out the next wine while Dmitri provided the commentary.
So, here is this month’s Passport Magazine wine shopping list for our readers, courtesy of Dmitri Pinski, certainly not bargain wines but, in this case, great for a birthday celebration.
The Pinski List
Approx Retail Wine (Rubles)
1. |
Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2004 (Burgundy, France) |
10,160 |
2. |
Clos de la Coulee de Serrant (Nicolas Joly) 2005 (Loire, France) |
4,433 |
3. |
Egon Muller Riesling Scharzhofberger Spatlese 2007 (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany) |
4,230 |
4. |
Pieropan Ruberpan 2004 (Veneto, Italy) |
2,390 |
5. |
Muga “Prado Enea” Gran Reserva 2000 (Rioja, Spain) |
2,930 |
6. |
Gantenbein Pinot Noir 2005 (Flдsch, Switzerland) |
5,930 |
7. |
Isole e Olena Cepparello 2005 (Tuscany, Italy) |
3,680 |
8. |
Gaja Barbaresco 2004 (Piedmont, Italy) |
11,120 |
9. |
Tenuta San Leonardo San Leonardo 2005 (Trentino, Italy) |
3,680 |
10. |
Alois Lageder “Cor Romigberg” Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 (Alto-Adige, Italy) |
3,750 |
11. |
Chateau Mission Haut Brion 1996 (Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France) |
19,710 |
12. |
Montes Folly Syrah 2005 (Santa Cruz, Colchagua Valley, Chile) |
4,430 |
13. |
Sine Qua Non “Raven” Grenache 2006 (California) |
17,050 |
14. |
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2001 (South Africa) |
3,550 |
15. |
Boscarelli Vinsanto Familiae 1988 (Montalcino, Italy) |
3,200 |
Total |
100,250 |
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