Oregon’s Domaine Serene Becomes the World’s Most Awarded Winery at Decanter’s 2020 World Wine Awards

November 7, 2020 by evebushman

DAYTON, Ore., /PRNewswire/ — Domaine Serene is far and away the most awarded winery in the world at the prestigious Decanter 2020 World Wine Awards. This year, the Dundee Hills winery took home 23 medals including ‘Best in Show’ for their 2016 Domaine Serene Mark Bradford Vineyard Pinot Noir, earning 97 points. The winery also brought home four Gold medals, 17 Silver medals, and one Bronze medal, with five wines earning a remarkable 95 points or more. Domaine Serene was not alone in its success with additional rave reviews coming for Château de la Crée and Maison Evenstad, also owned by proprietors Grace and Ken Evenstad. Their two Burgundian wineries were bestowed with an additional nine medals including seven Silvers. Standing at the top, their 2017 Maison Evenstad, Premier Cru Beaurepaire Santenay, earned 95 points, besting several Grand Cru Burgundies in the tasting.

Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) is widely considered to be the world’s most important international wine competition, making this recognition yet another big win for Oregon’s burgeoning luxury wine industry. With an elite international panel of judges, the DWWA began the painstaking task of evaluating over 16,500 wines from 56 countries in August. Over the course of 28 consecutive days, 118 expert wine judges, including 37 Masters of Wine and nine Master Sommeliers, bestowed the honor of most awarded winery to Domaine Serene.

“Ken and I are thrilled that Domaine Serene has received such incredible recognition across the board. To be the most awarded winery in the world at the DWWA is a testament to the quality of our vineyards and to the talent, hard work and dedication of our team,” said Grace Evenstad, Co-Founder and Owner of Domaine Serene. “To receive ‘Best in Show’ for our Mark Bradford Vineyard Pinot Noir is especially gratifying. We named the vineyard after our son, Mark Bradford Evenstad, and it was the first vineyard that we ever planted at Domaine Serene almost thirty years ago. Planting its high elevation slopes and west facing aspect went against advice from the local vintners, yet we knew it had the potential to make world-class wine and so we planted it anyway. It has always been one of my favorite wines and I have long appreciated the power, structure, and longevity of our Mark Bradford Pinot Noirs. We are thrilled that it has received such critical acclaim at such an important competition.”

“In its 17^th year, the DWWA is the world’s largest and most influential wine competition. Judged by the top wine experts from around the globe, the DWWA is trusted internationally for its rigorous blind judging process and regional experts,” said Bree Stock, Master of Wine and Education Manager of the Oregon Wine Board. “It’s an enormous feat for a region like Oregon, that represents a fraction of US global exports, to receive ‘Best in Show’ along with the breadth of medals in such a prestigious competition. This award raises the profile and awareness of our region’s wines not only to Decanters’ highly informed consumer audience, but also to the global wine experts on the judging panel. Congratulations Domaine Serene.”

Domaine Serene took home a total of 23 medals from the elite London-based contest. In addition to being awarded ‘Best in Show’, the winery earned four Gold Medals for the 2016 ‘Aspect’ Pinot Noir, 2017 Clos de Lune Vineyard Chardonnay, and 2016 Etoile Vineyard Chardonnay, each earning 96 points, with its 2016 Two Barns Vineyard Pinot Noir, earning 95 points. The Dundee Hills winery also brought home 17 Silver medals and one Bronze medal, more details can be found here. Domaine Serene wines have now earned 95 points and above by major critics an astounding 115 times! This is in addition to being awarded #1 Ranked Pinot Noir in the World by Wine Spectator in 2013 and in 2016 #1 Pinot Noir in the World by Decanter and #1 White Wine in the World by Wine Spectator, for its ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Chardonnay. This universal acclaim from an array of critics solidifies Domaine Serene as America’s Most Acclaimed Winery.

“We are humbled by this great honor and thank our members, distributors and customers supporting our pursuit of quality over the years. To celebrate these awards, we are making some of the medalists available for tasting at our winery Clubhouse in the Dundee Hills and at the Domaine Serene Wine Lounge in Lake Oswego. We are also opening up our wine library to new and existing wine club members so that they can share in the enjoyment of these cherished wines in their homes.” said Ryan Harris, Domaine Serene President.

For more information, to visit our locations or to join the wine club or mailing list, please visit www.DomaineSerene.com or call 503-864-4600 and follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

About Domaine Serene
The Evenstads settled in the Northern Willamette Valley in 1989. Their spirit and passion to produce wines that rival the great wines of Burgundy led them to purchase and plant a hilltop estate that had just been logged in the now famous Dundee Hills.

Today, Domaine Serene produces wines from six individual vineyard estates, planted exclusively to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In Oregon, the Evenstads own nearly 1,000 total acres of land in the hills of Yamhill County, with 275 acres planted to vine.

Working every job in the winery for many years, Grace and Ken Evenstad built Domaine Serene from the ground up with a focus on producing high quality wines through innovation and a focus on excellence. The Evenstads have gained a true appreciation for the attention to detail required to make exceptional wines.

In 2015, Ken and Grace Evenstad fulfilled a lifelong dream of producing wine in Burgundy, France by acquiring Château de la Crée, the respected wine estate located in the birthplace of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay: the renowned Côte d’Or. They own 25 acres of prime vineyards in Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Santenay and Maranges. This made them the first Oregon-based vintners to own land and produce wines in Burgundy.

In just under three decades, the Evenstads have propelled Domaine Serene onto the global stage as one of the world’s most acclaimed and respected wineries. Domaine Serene’s wines represent the achievement that is possible in Oregon, one of the finest regions in the world for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Benchmark Wine Group Named One Of The 50 Best Wine Retailers In America by Wine Enthusiast Magazine

July 16, 2020 by evebushman

NAPA, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Benchmark Wine Group, the largest online retailer of rare wine, has been named one of Wine Enthusiast’s 50 Best Wine Retailers in America for 2020. Benchmark successfully established its place as a top wine retailer with an inventory of over 70,000 bottles, expertise in wine authentication, and the customer service you look for in a brick-and-mortar.

“We are very excited and honored to be named one of Wine Enthusiast’s 50 best wine retailers in America. We would not be here without our loyal customer base whom we have built very strong relationships with over the years,” comments Dave Parker, CEO of Benchmark Wine Group, “I want to thank our passionate staff for working tirelessly to ensure the highest quality of customer service is met each day.

With $36M in annual sales, an estimated 3% market share of the US’s $1.1B online wine sales, and 4% of the $1B rare (i.e., back vintage) wine market, Benchmark Wine Group is the largest single retailer in the rare wine category nationwide. Benchmark Wine Group has grown at a cumulative annual growth rate of over 19% through strategic acquisitions, proprietary valuation, and pricing methods, making it one of the fastest growing online alcohol retailers; in an industry growing at 2%, by comparison.

Over the past eighteen years, Benchmark has acquired for resale some of the most sought after wines on the planet. Their Napa-based inventory features more than 10,000 SKUs of rare and well-aged wine, including verticals of Colgin starting at 1994, six pack horizontals of Petrus 1998 and large format Cheval Blanc 2005.

During these trying times for society in general and the hospitality industry in particular, Benchmark Wine Group has made it a goal to support their trade customers, helping them liquidate their wine inventories, purchasing over $200,000 of top wine from on-premise accounts. Recent purchases include over 1800 bottles from a 3 Michelin star restaurant and over $35,000 of Burgundy, Italian, and German wine from another Michelin starred account. Recently, they partnered with the United Sommeliers Foundation for their ‘Raid Y(our) Cellar’ virtual tasting series.

Parker continues, “Supporting United Sommeliers foundation during the COVID-19 Pandemic was an easy decision for us. Whether a customer, employee, or a host during a dinner event, the Sommelier community has been an important part of the growth of not just our company, but the wine industry.”

For more information on Benchmark Wine Group please contact Michelle Erland at Michelle@parallel36.com or Pia Szabo at pszabo@parallel36.com.

About Benchmark Wine Group: Benchmark is the leading source of fine and rare wine for wine retailers, restaurants and collectors around the world. Based in Napa Valley, they acquire the most sought-after wines from private individuals and professional contacts. Their staff draws on decades of industry experience and is dedicated to providing exceptional service to all clients. Benchmarkwine.com offers 24 hour access to their cellar, displaying inventory in real time, ready for purchase.

Vintage Eve Circa April 2017: Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker, Reviewed by Wine Geek Eve

February 25, 2020 by evebushman

My first thought when I picked up Bianca Bosker’s Cork Dork tale was oh boy, I was going to learn some new tricks here. Three hundred pages later I not only learned a cellar full of tricks but also felt a whole lot better about being a wine geek myself. Bosker’s cork dorkiness went way past mine because in one year to my ten she had risen from novice to passing the Certified Exam given by the Court of Master Sommeliers, one of if not the most respected sommelier certification programs available in the world.

Cork Dork, photo from Copperfield’s Books.

As my wine 101 columns have covered some of what Bosker writes I will limit what I share to what may be new to readers, especially those interested in being a cork dork/sommelier:

Share time with a wine mentor, someone with greater knowledge than your own, to learn from.

Wait for that epiphany moment, Bosker’s was in watching a blind tasting and being taken aback in all that can be determined such as a new vs. old world wine, the varietal, vintage year and grape(s).

If you are interested in Court know that there is no class – you are given a reading list of 11 books to study. Three of the 11 are wine encyclopedias. There are 17 steps alone that are needed to successfully pour a glass of wine…and 95% of people fail their first try at the exam.

Developing a “sense memory” is something I’ve already done, but Bosker explains new ways to develop your senses beyond sniffing your spice rack or garden.

Assign words and make associations to aromas to help you recall them.

You will learn that viscosity comes from sugar, acidity produces saliva on the tongue, alcohol leaves a burn…and so on.

You may need to adjust your habits for wine tasting. Brushing your teeth and drinking your coffee several hours before tasting wine is logical, but rinsing your mouth with a white wine may be less obvious.

There is a long list of “don’ts” imposed by the Court. Those can be adjusted, logically, depending on the type of establishment you will be working for. Restaurants have their own rules.

If you are interested in all things olfactory and the importance of detecting aroma, Bosker covers this at length, including scientific study. Olfactory training is just as important, if not more so, than detecting flavors. We read about the Aroma Wheel invented by Ann Noble, wine tasting that is taught in primary French schools, paying $800 for an olfactory seminar and putting a sample, say a pineapple spear, directly into a glass of white wine – all for the sake of wine education.

Of course a sommelier has to be aware of wine prices. Not only because they may have never afforded the same wine they may find themselves trying to sell – and have to know everything about it anyway – but also to gauge the comfort zone of diners. (There seems to be a lot of “wine profiling” going on behind our backs when we go out to dinner!)

If you can attend free events as a budding somm, or a writer, do it. This is training at its best. If you can get into a wine “orgy” like the La Paulee Burgundy fest that Bosker scores, you may see so much decadence – drinking rare and/or high dollar wines to excess while taking “wino selfies” – that you will gladly return to the freebie tastings that truly let you sit back, relax and educate your palate.

In conclusion, after her year Bosker submits to a type of MRI where she tastes wine via a tube – no color and no odor can be detected. Her MRI results, showing high levels of brain activity – were common to other sommeliers while the test group – the novices – were not as active. Read the book to see what this proves. But suffice it to say, I’m going to keep studying wine to try to get where Bosker and her colleagues are.

From Press Release

Amateur drinker and professional reporter Bianca Bosker didn’t know much about wine until she infiltrated a group of New York sommeliers who could, after a single sip, identify the grape a bottle was made from, the year, and where it was produced, within acres. Impressed by their sensory powers, she set out to discover what drove their obsession and whether she too could become a “cork dork.”

Her hedonistic journey, recounted in CORK DORK: A Wine-Fueled Adventure Among the Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught Me to Live for Taste (Penguin Paperback Original; March 28), takes readers inside Michelin-starred dining rooms, blind tasting groups, a mass market wine factory where flavor scientists reign, wine “orgies,” and Bianca’s brain (via an fMRI machine), answering: What’s the big deal about wine? Are palates born or made? Can tasting better lead to living better?

Bianca Bosker is an award-winning journalist who has written about food, wine, architecture, and technology for The New Yorker online, The Atlantic, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Food & Wine, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and The New Republic. The former executive tech editor of The Huffington Post, she is also the author of Original Copies: Architectural Mimicry in Contemporary China (University of Hawaii Press, 2013).

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

ANNOUNCING THE 20TH ANNUAL WORLD OF PINOT NOIR

January 27, 2020 by evebushman

The event – March 5-7, 2020 in Santa Barbara – will include Grand Tastings featuring more than 250 wineries from around the globe, Pinot Noir and Champagne parties, pairing dinners and expert-led seminars.

October 14, 2019 (Santa Barbara, Calif.) – The World of Pinot Noir (WOPN), the wine industry’s foremost organization dedicated to the education and celebration of Pinot Noir, is now selling tickets for its marquee event, taking place March 5-7, 2020 at the seaside Ritz-Carlton Bacara in sunny Santa Barbara.

More than 3,000 wine lovers are expected to attend the 20^thAnnual World of Pinot Noir, which includes an opening night party followed by two full days of pairing dinners prepared by renown chefs, parties, two Grand Tastings featuring more than 250 premier Pinot Noir wineries from around the globe, and expert-led educational tasting seminars.

To mark this momentous anniversary, special seminars, dinners and new events have been added to the weekend-long program. The What’s New List includes:

The annual Burgundy Seminar will explore Grand and Premier Crus. This year’s featured winery is Bouchard Pére et Fils.
Bollinger Champagne joins the 20^thAnniversary celebration offering a vertical seminar, and an exclusive Bollinger Champagne La Grand Annee release dinner.
Award-winning Chef Santos MacDonal, of Il Cortile and La Cosecha restaurants in Paso Robles, is crafting a menu to pair with the Pinot Noirs from Italy’s Alto Adige, as well as wines from Argentina and Chile, among others.
A special Founders Dinner, featuring many of the winemakers (and their coveted wines) who helped launch the World of Pinot Event 20 years ago includes: Talley Vineyards, Foxen, Patz & Hall, Adelsheim Vineyard and Stephen Ross Wine Cellars.
A seminar and luncheon hosted by Santa Barbara’s Wine Cask restaurant in downtown Santa Barbara, kicks off the weekend with a deep dive into the amazing wines of Italy’s Alto Adige.

Also new this year are exclusive opportunities for Weekend Passport holders. The Weekend Passport is the World of Pinot Noir’s all-inclusive, fully customizable VIP ticket for the entire weekend. In addition to having a concierge help guests navigate the options, those who purchase their Weekend Passport prior to Nov. 30, 2019, will secure tickets to the Bollinger Champagne tasting seminar and have priority access to the event’s most exclusive dinners: the Vintage Burgundy Dinner hosted by the SommFoundation, and the first-ever Bollinger Champagne Le Grand Dinner.

To view the full lineup of events, and to purchase tickets, including the Weekend Passport, please visit WorldofPinotNoir.com.

About The World of Pinot Noir

WOPN, a non-profit trade organization, was established in 2001 by a small, dedicated group of winemakers from California’s Central Coast. The group’s mission is to bring together the world’s foremost Pinot Noir producers, and in a gorgeous setting, celebrate the delicious wine grape. Wineries, potential sponsors and wine enthusiasts interested in learning more, please visit worldofpinotnoir.com, or contact info@wopn.com. Follow and tag us on Facebook,Twitterand Instagram. #wopn #wopn20

Check Out This Three day event and WineCrush is July 31: Aspen Art Museum’s WineCrush

July 1, 2019 by evebushman

ArtCrush | WineCrush Facts & Figures: Master Sommelier Jay Fletcher

Held annually every summer, ArtCrush is Aspen’s premier summer gala and the major fundraising event benefiting the Aspen Art Museum. Over the past fourteen years, ArtCrush has cumulatively raised approximately $28,000,000 in support of the AAM’s groundbreaking contemporary art programming. ArtCrush brings the AAM’s most important donors, the world’s top art collectors, wine connoisseurs, artists, gallerists, curators, celebrities, and global business leaders to Aspen, making this event an internationally recognized hub of arts and culture.

Margaret Kilgallen: that’s where the beauty is.

Jay Fletcher, Master Sommelier, plus a team of six top sommeliers from Aspen’s best wine restaurants (Matsuhisa, the Little Nell, 7908, Caribou Club, Cache Cache, and Jimmy’s) give patrons a taste of old and rare wines during the event’s cocktail hour, followed by a pouring of two flights of wine prior to each of the four formally plated courses served during the dinners at WineCrush and ArtCrush. Fletcher calls in favors from Southern Wine & Spirits and the SommFoundation’s Old and Rare Cellar to source the vintage and old wines from around the world. The day of the event, he unpacks the boxes, sorts and hand-numbers each bottle, and decants and chills the vast array of wine.

800 = The number of rare vintage wine bottles (seen only at auction) served at each event x 15 years = 12,000 bottles of wine served at ArtCrush and WineCrush.
65 = The temperature in Fahrenheit that Fletcher keeps all bottles of wine prior to wine service at ArtCrush and WineCrush.
40,000 = The dollar amount of wine in wholesale costs for 250 people at each event—approximately $150 per person in wine allocations. (To be approved.)
50 = The number of tables with 10 bottles each.
3 / 5 = Each table has 3 bottles of mixed white varietals and 5 bottles of mixed red varietals.
500 = Total number of glasses of wine for each course = 2,000 glasses of wine poured at each ArtCrush and WineCrush event x 15 years = 30,000 glasses of wine served.
11 = Master sommeliers that have helped Fletcher over the years at ArtCrush: Bobby Stuckey, Richard Betts, Fred Dame, Carton McCoy, Sabato Sagaria, Sean Razee, Jonathan Pullis, Brett Zimmerman, Doug Krenik, Jason Smith, Shayn Bjornholm.
15 = Number of years the following rare, vintage wines have been served at WineCrush:

Domaine De La Romanée-Conti, Richbourg 1989

1937 Dr Barolet Clos Vougeot 1037

Domaine Leroy, Chambertin 1969

Etienne Guigal, Côte-Rôtie la Mouline 1978

Château Lafite Rothschild 1990

Domaine De La Romanée-Conti, La Tache 1988

Penfolds, Grange Hermitage 1985

Aldo Conterno, Barolo Riserva Gran Bussia 1990

Jaboulet-Isnard, Côte-Rôtie 1964

Domaine Ramonet, La Montrachet 1989

Domaine De La Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti 1988 Six (6) Liter Format

Domaine Gros, Richebourg 1971

Château Haut-Brion 1961

Coche-Dury, Corton-Charlemagne 1995

Château Rayas 1990

Jay Fletcher, Master Sommelier, Chairman of the Court of Master Sommeliers personal by-the-numbers list:

23 = # of years Fletcher has held his Master Sommelier title.
8 = # of Master Sommeliers Fletcher has mentored in Aspen from the Little Nell’s wine program.
20 = # of Master Sommeliers Fletcher has mentored in the world.
41 = The years since Fletcher hitchhiked into Aspen from Madison, WI, to begin his career in the wine business.
2 = # of daughters Fletcher raised as a single father while working in the wine business in Aspen.
5 = Time in the morning that Fletcher has been known to skin (hike on skis) up and throw down first tracks on Aspen Mountain on most powder days.

The Aspen Art Museum is a non-collecting institution presenting the newest, most important evolutions in international contemporary art. Our innovative and timely exhibitions, education and public programs, immersive activities, and community happenings actively engage audiences in thought-provoking experiences of art, culture, and society.

AAM MUSEUM HOURS

Tuesday–Sunday, 10 AM–6 PM

Closed Mondays

AAM ADMISSION IS FREE courtesy of Amy and John Phelan

Visit the AAM online: aspenartmuseum.org

Maison Champy Unveils Its New Wine Tourism Destination In Beaune

June 9, 2019 by evebushman

BEAUNE, France (PRWEB) – Maison Champy, the oldest winery in Burgundy, proudly unveils its ambitious wine tourism project, that aims to highlight the terroir of Burgundy and Beaune, the capital of Burgundy wines.

Maison Champy is the last winery to vinify, age and bottle its wines within the old town of Beaune, and among the diverse range of wine tours on offer in Burgundy, the Maison Champy’s visit offers a unique insight into the winemaking, history, and culture of winemaking in Beaune.

This unique location is situated at 5 rue du Grenier à Sel, next to the Maison Champy boutique, located at 12 place de la Halle, opposite the Hospices.

Here, visitors are able to discover the secrets of wine making, and understand the cultural, and historical context of this historic art, within the oldest winery in Burgundy and at the heart of the capital of Burgundian wine tradition.

Located among the “Climats des vins de Bourgogne” – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015 –Maison Champy aims to be a decisive player in the promotion of the region’s treasures, bringing the territory to life and enhancing its reputation.

The Maison Champy site, listed as a Historical Monument since 15 September 2010, is at the heart of the project and visitors can explore five unique spaces at the Maison:

1. The Welcome Area where visitors can see wines being vinified. This space pays tribute to the illustrious figures who have left their prints in the winery’s three centuries of history: Edme Champy, its founder; Louis Pasteur, who carried out five years of research at Maison Champy; and Gustave Eiffel, who influenced the architecture of the listed building.

2. History Area 1, from 1720 to the 19th century, via the French Revolution. Here visitors can discover archives of the development of Burgundy and Maison Champy in parallel during this period, highlighting the winery’s ties with the city of Beaune.

3. History Area 2, showcasing international development through World Exhibitions.

4. History Area 3, displaying the winery’s unique winemaking and craftsmanship know-how.

5. A modular tasting area to host seminars and events.

Furthermore, the tour offers the unique opportunity to further understand the Maison’s historical significance. This includes an introductory journey woven through the 15th Century cellars of the convent of the Jacobines de Beaune, and the opportunity to visit the cellars’ unique architectural structure, including the Eiffel-style columns from the end of the 19th century, which extend to the top floor.

Two Wine Tourism Packages are Available:

1. A short format, lasting 90 minutes, will include the discovery of the 15th-century cellars followed by a tasting. Prices range from €25 to €55 depending on wines chosen for tasting.

2. A standard format lasting 2h30 and will include a detailed presentation on the five landscaped areas of the historical site, followed by a visit to the cellars and a tasting. Prices range from €40 to €70 depending on the choice of tasting.

Additional services on offer include a tour of the vines by car or electric bicycle for €90, and private dining opportunities catering for 6 to 80 people at the Maison. Price on application.

The ambitious project was managed by 331 Corniche Architects and the Bâtisseurs de Mémoire – an agency specializing in consulting, museography and history.

High resolution and print-ready images are available on request. For further information and images please visit https://www.maisonchampy.com/.

About Maison Champy
As a vine grower and craftsman, Maison Champy is located in the heart of Beaune, the capital of the Burgundian wine region. Champy is the oldest wine company in Burgundy with its buildings inspired by the Eiffel school of architecture, listed by the historical monuments of Beaune, with the cellars of the Bell from the XVth century which belonged to the Jacobin convent. Today the wine grower and craftsman expertise is revealed in the 21 ha owned on the Côte de Beaune, in particular in Pernand-Vergelesses.

Absorb Burgundy’s Charm with Odysseys Unlimited

May 19, 2019 by evebushman

BOSTON (PRWEB) -As the world speeds up, Odysseys Unlimited is offering a way to slow it down with the announcement of its 2020 small group experience, the mouth-watering, joy-inducing Burgundy Barging.

Starting in Lyon and finishing in Paris, the 12-day small group itinerary includes a six-night journey plying the waters of the ancient Rhone-Rhine and Burgundy canals, once reserved only for royalty. Guests visit medieval, untouristed villages and historic towns including Beaune, Dole, Petit-Ouges and the Burgundy wine region’s capital, Dijon.

Gliding from one pastoral village to another at the leisurely pace of about four miles per hour, guests aboard the privately-chartered 20-passenger MS Jeanine have the option to lounge on deck while sipping French wine (unlimited wine included) or walk or cycle the towpaths that run alongside the canals.

The small group tour also includes the quintessential Burgundy experience, a wine tasting tour along the famed Route des Grand Crus. Bookending this leisurely sojourn: sightseeing and free time in both Lyon and Paris.

Priced from $5,497 total price ($4,995 air, land, and barge cruise inclusive, plus $502 airline taxes and fees), Odysseys Unlimited’s Burgundy Barging, limited to 12 to 20 guests, launches April 20, 2020, with 17 departures through September 2020. A two-night “Paris on Your Own” extension is available for $435, including two nights in a Superior First Class hotel with breakfast, and airport transfer.

Six-time honoree of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Tour Operators award, Odysseys Unlimited is the leader in high quality, affordable small group travel. The company offers fully refundable deposits up to 155 days before departure on Burgundy Barging (95 days on its other tours), and savings of $100 to $300 per trip for repeat guests.

Visit http://www.Odysseys-Unlimited.com for more details, including a day-by-day itinerary for Burgundy Barging and to learn about Odysseys Unlimited’s 2019/2020 collection of 60 small group tours, or call 1-888-370-6765 ext. 700 to request a free catalog.

Best Wine of the World 2018 Competition’s Winners have been selected – the Best Wine in the World is Masseto 2009

May 16, 2019 by evebushman

BWW-The Best Wine of the World-competition is by far the toughest wine competition on this planet. Unlike any other industry competition, only 1% of the wines involved will be awarded.

HELSINKI/PRNewswire/ — The BWW 2018 competition was held in the world’s largest wine information service – tastingbook.com. 18,477 wines received in total 2,354,989 votes from 416,000 wine professionals and wine lovers from 116 countries during the three months voting period.

After the voting period, only 100 most voted wines in seven different categories remained in the Finals, organized in January 2019. The seven main categories included red wine, white wine, rose wine, sparkling wine, fortified wine, champagne and Wine Critic.

In the Finals the wines were evaluated and ranked two different times as blind by the panels of Tasting Book Professionals (selected Judges from over 7000 Pros: Wine writes, bloggers, MW’s. Wine makers etc.)

The six main wine categories included red wine, white wine, rose wine, sparkling wine, fortified wine and champagne categories. Under each category, the best wines were also awarded according to price level and country categories.

The Title above all categories – The Best Wine of the World 2018 – was awarded to the wine that won the highest scores in the Finals.

In BWW Competition 2018, the Best Wine of the World -title was awarded to the Masseto 2009, Tuscany, Italy.

The Best White Wine of the World -title was awarded to the Joseph Drouhin Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche 2010, Burgundy, France

“It is without saying that winning the Trophy of Best White Wine of the World is an immense satisfaction. We, as a Team, feel very honoured and would like to thank the wine professionals for their vote. The relationship between our two families, Laguiche and Drouhin, goes back to 1947. Complex, refined, elegant with exceptional flavours and texture the Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche is truly an iconic wine showing the unique soul of its soil.” – Veronique Boss Drouhin

Other Winners of the main categories are:

Best Winery of the World: Winner: Niepoort

Best Champagne of the World: Winner: Dom Perignon 2002, Champagne, France

Best Wine Critic of the World: Winner: Jancis Robinson

Best Red Wine of the World: Winner: Masseto 2009

Best Champagne of the World: Winner: Dom Pérignon Rosé 2006

Best Sparkling Wine of the World: Winner: Brundlmayer Brut Rosé

Best Rosé Wine of the World: Winner: Château de la Soujeole Malepère 2017

Best Sweet Wine of the World: Winner: Château d’ Yquem 2009

Best Port Wine of the World: Winner: Niepoort Vintage Port 2015

Best Cabernet Sauvignon Wine of the World: Bryant Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Best Merlot Wine of the World: Petrus 2011

Best Pinot Noir Wine of the World: Armand Rousseau Chambertin 2009

Other 150 winners and prizes can be found at www.tastingbook.com

BWW is the largest wine competition in the world, whether measured by the number of wines, the number of consumers involved or the judges taking part.

BWW warmly welcomes all vineyards to enter their wine for the 2019 competition.

Registration is the easiest, fastest, and most affordable in the business. Register at www.bwwcompetition.com.

SOURCE Tastingbook

Vintage Eve Circa 3/2016: Tasting Sicily’s Nero d’Avola

March 19, 2019 by evebushman

I’ve tasted Sicily’s Nero d’Avola wine before, well at least once in 2010 during my Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) course, and during annual Italian wine tasting events. These two wines below, sent for review, I had never had before and was anxious to continue my education. So, without further adieu, here is your virtual taste.

Photo credit: VinePair

2013 Stemmari Nero d’Avola, Sicily

Tasting Notes:

Dried black currant, sweet plum, tobacco, mint chocolate, red bell pepper and forest floor on the nose was followed by smooth flavors of red fruit, white pepper and black cherry with a sharp, yet lingering, dry finish. 88 Eve pts.

About (From the tech sheet)

Prince of the enological re-birth of Sicily, the Nero d’Avola is a very important native varietal. Initially found in Siracusa, it is now found in all of the wine-making areas of the island.

PRODUCTION AREA

Sambuca di Sicilia, in the province of Agrigento, where rich, mature, and structured Nero d’Avola is obtained. It prefers clay-like terrain and is very sensitive to excessive dryness and too much exposure to sunlight. The type of farming is “Espalier”, used with an average density of planting where there are 4500 plants per 2.5 Acres.

VINIFICATION

100% Nero d’Avola. It is an average to early varietal maturing around the first week of September. This wine is obtained from grapes that have reached perfect aromatic and polyphenolic maturation. Destemming and alcoholic fermentation with the skins occurs for 6-8 days at 22-24 degrees. Malolactic Fermentation occurs with selected bacteria, then finally maturation occurs for 6 months in French barriques.

CHARACTERISTICS

Color: Deep ruby-red with pleasant reflections of violet. Bouquet: Intense and covered, notes of currant stick out, wild strawberries, and pomegranate.  Flavor: Soft and velvety. Distinct characteristics of fruitiness come forth.  ALCOHOL CONTENT: 13.5%  CHARACTERISTICS:  Color: Deep ruby-red with pleasant reflections of violet.  Bouquet: Intense and covered, notes of currant stick out, wild strawberries, and pomegranate. Flavor: Soft and velvety. Distinct characteristics of fruitiness come forth.

2012 Tenuta Rapitala “Nuhar” Pinot Nero, Nero d’Avola

Tasting Notes:

Aromas of grape jelly, bruised red plum, cedar and mint leaves; and then in the mouth it was all about dried red currant, lush juicy raspberry, burnt toast and mushroom. 89 Eve pts.

About (From Frederick Wildman and Sons)

Nuhar, meaning flower, is sourced from parcels located in the heart of the vineyard. Here, vines grow on clay soils, sheltered from the wine, and in full sunlight. Two great varieties are planted: Nero d’Avola, which develops rich tannins and body in these conditions, and Pinot Noir, King of Burgundy, which responds well to the heat of Sicily with color, softness and depth unlike anywhere else.

Terroir: Select parcels lie at 1,800 feet above sea level are Guyot-trained on clay soil with yields of 32 quintals per acre.

Vinification: Each variety is manually harvested, first the Pinot Noir at the end of August, then the Nero d’Avola at the end of September. Each parcel is vinified in small, stainless steel tanks. Long maceration at a controlled temperature of 75-82°F allow for the extraction of only the best polyphenols. The Nero d’Avola ages in stainless steel to preserve freshness, while the Pinot Noir matures for nine months in small French barriques. Following blending, the wines are bottle refined.

Additional Information

Bright, ruby-red color and a bouquet with strong aromas of dried fruits. The palate is warm and full with a balanced acidity and elegant tannins. The finish is long and lingering and at this point, we discover again the classic aromas of a Pinot Noir ripened by the hot, Sicilian sun. Pairs well with roasted meats, game and truffle dishes.

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Michelin Starred Chef Christophe Émé Presents KASS Wine Bar + Restaurant!

February 20, 2019 by evebushman

Los Angeles, CA – After twenty-five years as a powerhouse in the fine dining industry, Michelin starred and world-renowned Chef Christophe Émé is ready to uncork another side of his prowess by introducing KASS, a chic and welcoming wine bar and restaurant that offers a sophisticated yet approachable French Dinner Menu and unrivaled Wine List in a 40-seat dining room and bar stripped of pretention, but brimming with innovation and immaculate presentation. Situated on the most in-vogue strip on La Brea, KASS Wine Bar + Restaurant by Chef Christophe Émé officially opened Friday, February 1^st, 2019!

Chef Christophe Eme. Photo Credit- acuna-hansen

Growing up in France’s picturesque Loire Valley was the ideal backdrop for Chef Christophe Émé, who learned from an early age the joy of cooking in the kitchen. At the age of sixteen, Émé began an apprenticeship at the Hôtel de France in Angers before embarking on a journey that has propelled him across the globe, sharpening his skills at some of the world’s most prestigious restaurants with enough Michelin stars between them to form a constellation. From Auberge des Templiers, to Auberge de l’Eridan in the French Alps, to the opulent Taillevent, Émé has worked with such culinary legends as Gerard Rabaey, Marc Veyrat, Michel Rostang, Philippe Braun, and Philippe Legendre. Arriving in the United States in 2001, Émé made his way to Los Angeles as Executive Chef at the highly revered L’Orangerie where he challenged perceptions and French cooking technique by renouncing cream and butter sauces in favor of complex layered emulsions and natural jus. In 2005, Émé embarked on his first solo Los Angeles venture and opened the critically lauded Ortolan on West Third Street, where he showcased his impeccable haute cuisine. Shortly after Ortolan debuted in 2005, Émé was honored by Food & Wine as one of the “10 Best New Chefs” and subsequently earned a Michelin star in 2007. After setting a higher standard for the next generation of French restaurants, Émé is now moving in a new direction by introducing KASS Wine Bar + Restaurant.

Wine Consultant Taylor Parsons (Whole Cluster Consulting, République, Spago, Mozza, Campanile) curated the KASS Wine List. “This is a tightly focused wine list created with the purpose to provide pleasure and not intimidation, with wines that serve the neighborhood and the cuisine of Émé.” says Parsons. Thoughtfully overseen by KASS Wine Bar + Restaurant Sommelier and Manager Kyley Jacoby, the KASS Wine List is comprised of seventy percent French Wines, with an emphasis on the Loire Valley in honor of Émé’s home region, with the remaining thirty percent made up of varietals ranging from France, Europe, and California. Designed for connoisseurs and novices alike, the Wines by the Glass are available to sip and swish, beginning with effervescent Sparkling section including the Jacky Blot, Montlouis Brut ‘Tradition’ Loire Valley NV or the Laherte Freres, Extra Brut ‘Ultradition’ Champagne NV. The single Pink offering stands poised and proud, the Vinca Minor, Carignan Rosé Sonoma County 2017, while the White section offers an array of global choices beginning with the Domaine Daulny, Sancerre Loire Valley 2017; the German Andi Knauss, White Blend ‘Boutanche’ Württemberg 2017, or the Frantz Chagnoleau Macon-Villages La Carruge Burgundy 2016, while the Domaine Dupasquier, Roussette de Savoie, Savoie 2013 rounds off the white wines by the glass. The Red section starts with a trio from France, kicking-off with the Jean-Marc Burgaud, Morgon Côte du Py, Beaujolais 2017, a Loire Valley 2016 Domaine Filliatreau, Saumur-Champigny ‘La Grande Vignolle’, and a Domaine de Majas, VdP Côtes Catalanes Carignan Blend Roussillon 2017, before heading over to the Piedmont region of Italy to enjoy a 2016 Brovia, Dolcetto d’Alba ‘Vignavillej’ and the 2016 Piedrasassi, Syrah ‘PS’ from Santa Barbara County. While sharing delectable dishes with good company, the Wines by the Bottle offer an ideal respite to relax and unwind, beginning with Sparkling Wines in two significant categories: Champagne and Not Champagne, followed by a respectable selection of Pink Wine, and a vast library of White Wine that is categorized as Energetic, Fruity, and Muscular, with an equally impressive variety of Red Wine, categorized by dominant notes Bright, Juicy, Earthy and Plush, and a boutique selection Sweet & Fortified Wine.

Chef Émé utilizes his near thirty years of expertise to present a concise, but yet approachable KASS Dinner Menu featuring appetizers and entrées, which will experience weekly variant twists curated by Émé, depending on the availability of fresh, seasonal ingredients from the local Farmers Market. Guests will have the pleasure of watching Émé directly in his element in the open kitchen, along with his condensed, but highly skilled team, with a window perfect for awestruck onlookers. The ever-evolving KASS Dinner Menu will feature dishes such as the Salad of Baby Beets with black lentils and aged Comté; the Oxtail Parmentier made with marrow bone and Burgundy truffles; the Farro Risotto, accompanied by celery root, kale, and Morel mushrooms, and the Chicken Cooked in Clay served with wild mushroom sauce and green asparagus. Dessert will include delectable treats, like the silky Chocolate Tart accompanied by chocolate sorbet. Ever the artiste, Émé showcases every dish like a work of art, be the canvas the Pordamsa porcelain plateware, which showcases a mimicry of patterns and textures found in nature, or the Shichirin Hida Konro, a miniature Japanese portable charcoal grill and the black slate cutlery. Whatever the vessel, presentation will be at the forefront alongside flavor and technique.

A clean, contemporary space designed by Émé with assistance from Annie May of Kuskin / May Designs, harmonizes between warm and cool neutrals and the perfect balance between natural and manmade materials. Warm enough to be inviting, but cool enough to retain a sleekness, this stylishly inviting space offers guests three atmospheric experiences: The Wine Bar, where cheese, charcuterie and oysters are the perfect accompaniment to wine offerings and spirited conversation, and the Dining Room which offers plush banquette seating ideal for intimate and vibrant gatherings alike. The Outdoor Patio welcomes guests with cozy woven rattan nest chairs and low tables perfect for enjoying a bottle of wine, enclosed by a wood plank façade, mimicking a Japanese hinoki, successfully encapsulating KASS guests away from the bustling street. “KASS is an involved experience; I want guests to come in for the atmosphere as much for the wine and the food,” says Émé.

With an ever-expanding array of top eateries such as République, Sugarfish, Sycamore Kitchen, Odys + Penelope, and trendsetting shopping destinations like American Rag, Best Made, Champion, Undefeated, Kelly Cole USA and Aether Apparel, KASS Wine Bar + Restaurant by Chef Christophe Émé is a chic, sophisticated and welcoming new addition to this bustling street that offers an approachable French dinner menu and unparalleled wine list, in a lively setting!

KASS Wine Bar + Restaurant is open for Dinner every Tuesday through Saturday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and every Sunday from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm. The KASS Wine Bar is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 5:00 pm to 12:00 Midnight, and every Sunday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. For reservations, please visit KASS Wine Bar + Restaurant Yelp Reservations or call KASS Wine Bar + Restaurant directly at 323.413.2299.

Please follow KASS Wine Bar + Restaurant on Instagram @kassrestaurant or on Facebook

KASS Wine Bar + Restaurant

320 South La Brea Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90036

T: 323.413.2299