07 March 2009

The Cellars of the Hôtel de Paris - the Great Wines


Margaux, Montrachet - as we walk through this amazing cellar, we see the wines of our dreams.

For example, there are 36 bottles of Château le Pin 1990, an exceptional vintage, purchased by the SBM as a 'primeur' wine, immediately after the harvest at 400 euros a bottle. The current market value is estimated at 4,000 euros a bottle.

"A great wine cellar is all about time, not money," commented Iorio Gennaro, the Chef Caviste.

The cellar is guarded around the clock by hi-tech security cameras - after all, the SBM's huge wine cellar is a veritable wine bank and probably a good deal safer than a normal bank these days!

While its book value is estimated at 10 million euros, the resale value of its bottles in the SBM's 30 or so top-class restaurants, hotels and casinos in the principality, is incalculable.

What comes across though as we explore this wondrous cellar, is not the monetary value, but the expertise and passion that goes into choosing and then caring for the best wines in the world.

9 comments:

maria said...

Your last sentence says it all, Jilly............

Laurie Allee said...

I love this series, Jilly. And I have a feeling this is about as close as I'll ever get to that Château le Pin 1990!

Anonymous said...

Great mouthwatering palate teasing series. Great photos as well, but unfortunately you cannot uncork a photo

H.Peter said...

I am in awe of this cellar.

George Townboy said...

Fantastic, Jilly. You've done an amazing job with this series.

Sharon said...

Great photos. I enlarged each of them so I could read the labels. Wouldn't it be grand to taste one of these great wines?

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

Your photo series of the cellar tour is great. I feel I am right there with you. I enjoyed my dinner at the Hotel de Paris but had no idea about the cellar. excellent photos and narrative. And, I am glad you enjoyed my collage of photos on the farmer's market. The eggs were quite interesting in their colors. Dave and I are in Napa Valley this weekend enjoying food and wine. It has been lovely checking out new wineries in this popular wine region in California.

Stefan Jansson said...

Wow. That's a place I would like to visit.

Kate said...

Wine! Certainly this collection is nectar for the Gods!

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