How would you like a surname that makes people smile when
introduced? How would you like a surname that makes shy women come out of
their shell? “It is fun,” says Hugo Andres Casanova, of the eponymous
Casanova Winery in Chile, while giving a wicked smile.
Hugo
Casanova
The reference is of course to Giacomo Girolamo Casanova de Seingalt (April
2, 1725 - June 4, 1798), the world famous womanizer. He was so famous as a
lover that his name remains synonymous with the art of seduction. He
associated with European royalty, popes and cardinals, along with luminaries
such as Voltaire, Goethe and Mozart. Along his way much DNA was spilt, and
undoubtedly some is contained in the genes of Hugo.
The youngest Casanova was in Pattaya for the wine dinner at the Mantra
restaurant, which was arranged by Anirut Posakrisna, the chairman of the
Wine Dee Dee Company. At the event, I had the honor of sitting with Hugo
Casanova and learning a little about his family, beginning with Eliseo
Casanova who emigrated from Italy and settled in Chile to become a wine
producer.
Eliseo’s
son, Aldo Casanova, continued the family tradition (in wine-making!) and he
was followed by Hugo Eliseo, and his son is Hugo Andres Casanova, the
current head. Proudly a family vineyard since 1898.
The evening began in the cocktail bar (just love those spicy walnuts!) with
a glass or three of a most refreshing Casanova Chardonnay Reserve 2010. Some
wood, but not intrusive, this was a wonderful introduction to the Casanova
Wines range.
With manageress Amy shepherding us into the main ‘arena’ we were soon
sampling the Casanova Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011, which though young, was
another exceptionally pleasant wine with controlled acidity and a fresh
finish.
This wine was drunk with the first course from new
executive chef, Australian Leonard Faust, of a chilled Maine lobster, sweet
shredded beetroot with raspberries and micro green herbs. I really enjoyed
that course.
The wine continued into the following course of a Jerusalem artichoke and
cauliflower veloute, prawn and dory mousseline and green oil. Personally I
found this a trifle bland, but discussing this with some others at the
dinner, this was not universal.
The main course was eaten with the Don Aldo Founder’s Reserve 2009, using 60
percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 percent Carmenere and 20 percent Shiraz
grapes. This wine has 15 months in French oak barrels and kept for a minimum
of 10 months in the bottle.
Good body and finish and well worthwhile looking for. The
main event was a 120 day Australian grain fed beef tenderloin, with ‘bubble
and squeak’ (similar to the Irish Colcannon or Scottish Stovies). Very
tender beef and fun with the bubble and squeak.
The next wine was the Hugo Casanova Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 made
from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Another full-bodied wine with an
exceptional finish, which went so well with the cheese platter of Cambozola
and Camembert cheeses. This was another almost universal favorite.
The fifth course took an interesting detour.
A dessert of bitter chocolate and white chocolate terrine
with cherry Chantilly, which was mated to the Hugo Casanova Reserve Merlot
2010, made from 100 percent Merlot grape. This wine is kept for 10 months in
the French oak barrels, and on its own, was a very pleasant Merlot -
however, it did not really marry up with the chocolate dessert.
This was not just my impression, but Hugo himself agreed
that the combination just did not work. A shame in some ways, as the
individual components of the final course were very enjoyable. (Most of us
ate the chocolate and left the merlot to take with the coffee as the
finale.)
Despite the disparity in the final course, Anirut of Wine Dee Dee and Hugo
Casanova presented the diners with a most enjoyable evening, and Amy and the
Mantra staff always ensure one leaves with a satisfied smile.
Mantra Restaurant and Bar, Pattaya Beach Road (just down from the Dolphin
Circle), telephone 038 429 591, fax 038 428 165, website
www.mantra-pattaya.com, email email@mantra-pattaya. com. Open seven days,
bar from 5 p.m., restaurant from 6 p.m. till 11.30 p.m. Secure parking
within the Mantra car park. Valet parking is also available.
