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Wine Cab: the wine route by English taxi to discover the Bordeaux vineyards differently

March 8, 2022 by evebushman

Each year in France, 10 million wine tourists come to discover some 10,000 cellars open to visits throughout the country.

But this success has a drawback: the circuits offered are all alike. Wine lovers have to do with soulless luxury sedans and signposted tours, without much originality.

It is because he had this experience when he moved to Bordeaux 12 years ago that Antoine Beucher decided to break the codes of the market. He invented a unique, deliciously atypical concept: Wine Cab, the wine route by English taxi.

Climbing aboard the mythical London “cab” means boarding in a car with a vintage look and a strong personality. Fitted out as a real tasting room, the famous Fairway FX4 seduces with its inimitable style and elegant line.

On Bordeaux lands, this English taxi allows you to live a unique experience, at the same time simple, convivial and authentic, to meet passionate winegrowers.

A slow life mindset to reinvent the iconic wine route

Wine Cab embodies a philosophy like the English taxi: the friendly driver offers tailor-made tours or in classic format, with beautiful addresses usually known to only “happy few” in the region.

Tastings in the car, innovative in Bordeaux, mark the spirits by their originality and their quality.

And so to make each lap unforgettable, each participant leaves with a souvenir road book with Polaroid pictures… so chic but without fuss !

The little Wine Cab plus : a welcoming guide in each area, who shares “house” secrets and offers tastings directly from the barrel or the vat.

         “Our Wine Tour concept is simply unique in the world!”

The Wine Cab assets

  • Health security: the English taxi is the only private transport vehicle with protective glass;
  • Private tours: tours take place with friends, couples or families up to 4 people
  • The possibility of creating your own wine (cellar master workshop)
  • Tastings in the taxi while driving;
  • A souvenir road book with Polaroid pictures

Unforgettable tours to satisfy all wine and authenticity lovers.

Wine Cab offers everyone the opportunity to live an exceptional and authentic experience around the best wines.

Zoom on a selection of 2 circuits not to be missed:

Organic wines: “happiness is in organic”

More and more winegrowers have made organic a philosophy and even an art of better living.

Wine Cab therefore offers an initiatory circuit to discover more structured, more aromatic wines, with more fruity and spicy notes, in short, naturally good (organic) wines!

On the program: 4 hours of discovery of the best wines produced by passionate and educationalists winegrowers driven by the desire to introduce this type of culture.

The circuit includes pick-up and drop-off at a hotel in Bordeaux, 2 visits with tasting in 2 “Organic” certified châteaux, 1 “countryside” tasting in the vineyards (or in the Cab in case of rain) and transport in an English cab by an English speaking driver.

As an option, it is also possible to provide accompaniment by an expert oenologist (+280€).

Price: from €132/person

The Wine of Women Winegrowers

Women often have a different outlook than men : they are more open to innovations, organic viticulture and biodynamics.

In Bordeaux, a few women are even pioneers in this field and their wines are very successful.

Wine Cab invites you to meet these passionate and fascinating women who give themselves up through their testimonies and their stories.

About Antoine Beucher, the founder

After studying at a journalism school (Institut Français de Presse) and obtaining a degree in Economics, Antoine Beucher worked as a host in a local channel in Toulouse and then worked for 30 years as the manager of an event agency.

Today, Wine Cab aims to publicize the Wine Tours organized in Bordeaux and to establish itself as the reference for vintage vehicle tours in the region. Moreover, beyond 10 people, the tours can also be organized in Combi, 2 CV, Cadillac…

Subsequently, Wine Cab will duplicate its concept in other wine regions.

To know more

French website: https://www.wine-cab.fr/

English website: https://www.wine-cab.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winecab/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winecab33/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoine-beucher-46910921/

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: aroma, Bordeaux, cellar, chateau, England, France, fruit, organic, spice, tasting room, tour, travel, vineyards, vintage, winegrower, winemaking

Reviewing the 2019 Château du Moulin-à-Vent Beaujolais

February 18, 2022 by evebushman

Given the opportunity to taste, learn and review a Beaujolais wine from Moulin a Vent and I snatched at it.

This would be their 2019 vintage, shared by owner/director Edouard Parinet and his father Jean-Jacques who co-runs the winery.

From the 2019 Château du Moulin-à-Vent Vintage Report

Several factors made this vintage quite unique … the harvest came very late, it was the sunniest year since 1990, and it was also the lowest yielding year since 2009. This flagship wine is produced from selections of the harvest from three top terroirs of Moulin-à-Vent, all located near the fifteenth century windmill at the heart of the Moulin-à-Vent appellation.

More on this Vintage:

  • 1,784 hours of sun versus 1,459 hours in average.
  • Sunniest year since 1990.
  • An early morning frost on April 4 affected 40% of the vineyard.
  • The wine was a late vintage, harvest started on September 11 an ended on September 18.
  • 80 pickers, all by hand, 35% whole cluster.
  • Juices are concentrated due to smaller berries.
  • Frost and heatwaves gave them the lowest yield in the past 19 years.
  • Rainfall in August allowed for maintained acidity levels.
  • Wine should be balanced, full-bodied, silky, aromatic and fine.
  • Fermentation ran between 15 and 30 days with the average being 20 to 25 for the domain.
  • Harvest Order by terroir : La Rochelle, Les Vérillats, Les Caves (‘Grands Savarins’), Les Thorins, Champ de Cour, Clos de Londres, Moulin-à-Vent.

In General:

  • Moulin-à-Vent is one the 10 Crus in Beaujolais, and one of the first AOCs.
  • Moulin-à-Vent means windmill, and wind has an important impact on the fruit.
  • There is age-ability to these wines, 20-30 years according to Parinet.

Château du Moulin-à-Vent Notes

Beaujolais region, Gamay grape

13% alcohol

EB Tasting Notes: Started with noticing a dark purple color, slightly brown on the edge indicative of age – an older wine – which surprised me for a 2019 so it may more be due to it being a “late vintage” compared to other years. On the nose I got aromas of ripe blueberries, lots of both fresh and dried red berries, sweet charred steak and freshly turned earth. The taste reminded me of a smooth and silky raspberry jam, plums, with a lively acidity and very tingly long finish. Very pleasant without food before dinner.

From Beaujolias.com: Why is Moulin a Vent referred to as the king of Beaujolais?

It used to be called the Romanèche-Thorins appellation. Strangely enough, only after the appellation name changed did it become one of the few Beaujolais wines not named after a specific commune. It is the strength and power emanating from the old windmill overlooking the vineyards that earned the appellation its name.

Château du Moulin-à-Vent

Wine Spectator Video with Director Edouard Parinet

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 (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: alcohol, aoc, aroma, balance, beaujolais, chateau, color, fermentation, flavor, gamay, harvest, juice, red wine, tasting notes, vineyard, vintage

Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris, where the global industry meets

October 30, 2021 by evebushman

Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris is returning to Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from 14 to 16 February 2022 for its third edition, marking the resumption of in-person events for the wine and spirits industry. By offering a comprehensive and inspiring range of products with a powerful international resonance, the Vinexposium group’s flagship event is reiterating its commitment to becoming THE global benchmark and a key date for trade members.

Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris will be the first major international event of 2022 and it marks the resumption of full-scale tastings. Highly awaited by the global wine and spirits industry for the variety of products on show and its business meetings, the event is now focusing on promoting attendance by key buyers, including those from outside the EU who are showing a strong interest in the exhibition.

Over three days, more than 2,800 exhibitors will convene in Paris to showcase their latest vintage, their flagship products and rare bottlings, all of them delicious pours to be shared with connoisseurs from around the globe. The desire by French wine marketing boards to join forces by being stakeholders in the event is stronger than ever and the event will group together all of France’s wine regions, alongside an impressive line-up of international wine regions. In total, representations from 23 countries will celebrate the reunion of the wine and spirits community in the heart of the French capital next February.

The event, which will cover four halls at the entrance to the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles exhibition centre (halls 3, 4, 5 and 6), will cater as much to the small winegrowers as to the major international brands. Household names such as François Lurton, Gérard Bertrand, E. Guigal, Maison M. Chapoutier, Domaine Paul Mas, Castel Frères, Maison Sichel, Bernard Magrez, Grands Chais de France and Gh Martel & Cie Champagne will be attending, alongside less prominent vineyards well worth discovering, such as the Aquitaine Independent Winegrowers and family-run properties like Vins Chevron Villette, Vignobles Vellas and Château Castigno, to name a few. Hall 5, set aside for international producers, will welcome wines of Luxembourg, Advantage Austria, Tenuta Lamborghini, Wines of Lebanon, Wines of Germany, Cesari, Carpineto, Consorzio Di Tutela Della Doc Prosecco, Consorzio Tutela del vino Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco, Gaja, J. Garcia Carrion, Viniportugal Wines Of Portugal, Hammeken Cellars and Flechas De Los Andes, for example.

Alongside wines in Hall 3, the Be Spirits by Vinexpo area and its huge Infinite bar will bring together spirits from all backgrounds, ranging from micro-distilleries through to well-known brands. Attendees will include the Armagnac marketing board BNIA, Calvados Château du Breuil, Cognac Lheraud, Distillerie Warenghem, Gin de Binche, Glasgow Whisky, La Martiniquaise, Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association and Distilleria Bertagnolli.

“Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris is above all an event that brings people together and creates a sense of community. People welcome their clients there from a wide range of backgrounds to give international exposure to local, innovative products, from the little treasures to the prominent growths. Paris will host a celebration in 2022 and we are very much looking forward to being reunited with everyone once again”, stresses Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium.

For more information, please visit wineparis-vinexpo.com 

About WINE PARIS & VINEXPO PARIS

WINE PARIS (created by COMEXPOSIUM under the guidance of 13 French wine marketing boards) is the merger of VinoVision and Vinisud, an initiative by all of the founding, partner wine marketing boards. It was further enhanced in 2020 when it partnered with VINEXPO, the creator of international events for the wine and spirits trade. Founded in 1981 by the Bordeaux-Gironde chamber of commerce and industry, Vinexpo is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2021 and has gained unique market insight, along with an extensive network of influential distributors worldwide.

About VINEXPOSIUM

Owned jointly (50/50) by global events organiser Comexposium and Vinexpo Holding (owned by the Bordeaux-Gironde Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CCIBG), Vinexposium is the world’s leading organiser of wine and spirits trade events. Vinexposium brings together an extensive range of high-performance events catering to different market segments through its portfolio of iconic, recognised events: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, Vinexpo America, Drinks America, Vinexpo Hong Kong, Vinexpo Bordeaux, Vinexpo Shanghai, WBWE Amsterdam, as well as Vinexpo Explorer and World Wine Meetings.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: cellar, chateau, distillery, France, Germany, Japan, portugal, prosecco, sake, shochu, spirits, tasting, vinexpo, whisky, wine event, Wine tasting, winegrower

New York and Texas Restaurants to Showcase the Women and Next-Gen Winemakers of Bordeaux This November with Rare, 3-liter Bottle Features

October 23, 2021 by evebushman

BORDEAUX, FRANCE (PRWEB) – The Bordeaux wine region is joining forces with New York and Texas restaurants to celebrate their talented women and Next Gen winemakers with a special big bottle promotion this November. New York restaurants will feature fourteen different “Next Gen” wineries to showcase the young movers and shakers who are making their mark throughout the Bordeaux region. In Texas, the region will sponsor their second annual event for the women winemakers of Bordeaux with a statewide campaign. Making this extra-special, the featured wines will be offered in 3-Liter bottles, a rare, double-magnum size.

Ranging from wine bars to Michelin-starred restaurants, over 100 accounts in New York and Texas have signed up to support the program this fall. Beginning November 1st, each account will pour a selection of wines from 3-Liter bottles, and many are opting to host additional tasting experiences and promotions throughout the first week of November. Program details and updates will be shared in early October.

“The people of Bordeaux have always been our most dynamic force and source of innovation,” says Bernard Farges, President of the Bordeaux Wine Council. “It is exciting to showcase the collective talent of the many young winemakers and women who are contributing so much to enrich our region. We are honored to work together with our wineries and importers to support our hospitality partners in New York and Texas through these challenging times and are tremendously grateful for the outpouring of support we have already received.”

Featured Women Winemakers of Bordeaux (Texas)
The participating women winemakers and châteaux representatives from Bordeaux represent the rich diversity of their region and will present a selection of wines from renowned reds to dry and sweet whites. Their wines capture the artistry and depth of various Bordeaux appellations from many different perspectives, including family-owned wineries and relative newcomers. The featured wineries this November in Texas include:

  • Château Biac (Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux), Youmna Asseily, Owner and Winemaker
  • Citran (Bordeaux Supérieur), Sophia Sanchez, General Manager
  • Château Haut Mazières (Bordeaux), Gwen Corre, Export Manager
  • Château La Freynelle (Bordeaux blanc), Véronique Barthe, Owner and Winemaker
  • Château La Rame Bordeaux & Bordeaux blanc), Angelique Armand, Winemaker
  • Château Larrivaux (Haut-Médoc), Bérangère Tesseron, Owner and Winemaker
  • Château Rol Valentin (Saint-Émilion Grand Cru), Alexandra Robin, Owner and Winemaker
  • Château Simon (Sauternes, Graves), Pauline Dufour, Owner and Winemaker
  • Château Thieuley (Bordeaux rouge & Bordeaux blanc), Marie Courselle, Owner and Winemaker
  • Clarence Dillon/Clarendelle (Bordeaux rouge & Bordeaux blanc), Erika Smatana, Export Manager USA
  • Les Vignerons Reunis De Monsegur (Bordeaux), Valérie Gosselin Conche, Commercial Director

Featured Next Gen Winemakers of Bordeaux (New York)
The Next Gen Bordeaux winemakers and châteaux representatives presenting their wines in New York this November are a driving force of new ideas, sustainable initiatives, and global connection. They range in age from 23 to 42 and represent a dynamic generation working in every sector from viticulture, winemaking, and commercial management. The featured wineries this November in New York include:

  • Château Biac (Côtes de Bordeaux), Yasmina Asseily, Sales Director (42)
  • Château d’Arche (Bordeaux blanc & Sauternes), Matthieu Arroyo, Winemaker (39)
  • Château des Combes (Bordeaux), Jonathan Ducourt, Owner and Winemaker (38)
  • Château du Moulin Rouge (Haut-Médoc), Geoffrey Ribeiro, Owner and Winemaker (28)
  • Château Gardera (Bordeaux Supérieur), Guillaume Gonfrier, Sales Manager (28)
  • Château Haut-Rian (Côtes de Bordeaux), Pauline Lapierre, Owner and Winemaker (32)
  • Château La Rame (Bordeaux & Bordeaux blanc), Augustin Allo-Armand, Winemaker (23)
  • Château Larose Trintaudon/Perganson (Haut-Médoc), Madeleine Hostache, Export Director (28)
  • Château Larrivaux (Haut-Médoc), Bérangère Tesseron, Owner and Winemaker (39)
  • Château Moulin de la Roquille (Côtes de Francs), Jean-Laurent Audoin, Manager
  • Château Roquefort (Bordeaux), Camille Giai, Commercial Director (39)
  • Château Simon (Sauternes, Graves), Pauline Dufour, Owner and Winemaker (35)
  • Château Tassin (Bordeaux Supérieur & Bordeaux blanc), Guillaume Gonfrier, Sales Manager (28)
  • Clarence Dillon/Clarendelle (Bordeaux & Bordeaux blanc), Erika Smatana, Export Manager USA (30)

ABOUT Bordeaux Wine Council (C.I.V.B.)
Bordeaux Wine Council (C.I.V.B.) was created by the French Law dated August 18, 1948. It unites representatives from the three families in the Bordeaux wine industry: winegrowers, merchants, and traders. The CIVB’s 4 missions:

  • Marketing mission: stimulate demand for Bordeaux wines, recruit new, younger consumers and ensure their loyalty to the brand. Provide education for the trade and strengthen relationships.
  • Technical mission: build knowledge, protect the quality of Bordeaux wines and anticipate new requirements related to environmental, CSR and food safety regulations.
  • Economic mission: provide intelligence on production, the market, the environment, sales and prospective data for Bordeaux wines around the world.
  • The industry’s general interests: protect the terroirs, fight counterfeiting, develop wine tourism.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: blanc, Bordeaux, bordeaux superieur, bottles, chateau, France, magnum, michelin, New York, restaurants, sauternes, texas, wine event, winemakers

Largest Restaurant Offering of Chateau Petrus in U.S. Comes to San Ysidro Ranch

May 31, 2021 by evebushman

Stonehouse Restaurant at Santa Barbara Resort Installs 70-Bottle Vertical Collection of Chateau Petrus, Capping Off Revitalization After Cellar Destruction

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., /PRNewswire/ — With the arrival of a rare 70-vintage vertical collection of Chateau Petrus in the newly re-built cellar of the Stonehouse restaurant at the famed San Ysidro Ranch resort, the reconstruction of one of the world’s most renowned restaurant wine collections has been completed. The Petrus collection at the award-winning Stonehouse, represents the most extensive restaurant offering of Petrus in the United States.

 

The 70-bottle vertical of Chateau Petrus includes every bottle produced by the renowned Bordeaux estate reaching back to the famed 1945 vintage and including the famed 1947, 1959, 1961, 1964, 1982, 1990 and 2000 vintages. This rare collection of wine serves as the centerpiece of the reconstructed Stonehouse restaurant wine cellar, which saw its entire inventory of 12,500 bottles destroyed by mudslides that flowed through the resort and restaurant in January 2018.

“Recreating the Stonehouse’s wine cellar was a painstaking process,” said Stonehouse wine director Tristan Pitre. “Patience and persistence paid off for us when we finally procured and received delivery of this historic collection of one of the greatest wines in the world.”

In procuring this world-class collection of Petrus, San Ysidro Ranch insisted that its authenticity and provenance be beyond question. Working on behalf of the ranch, The Wine Source located the wines in Bordeaux, where they had sat undisturbed with the original purchasers who acquired the bottles directly from the Chateau upon their releases. The provenance, storage and authenticity thus were determined to be impeccable.

“Without question the Stonehouse Petrus vertical is the most extensive restaurant collection of Petrus in America and one of the most extensive collections anywhere in the world,” said Ty Warner, owner of San Ysidro Ranch. “More importantly, the ranch’s collection represents the hard work and commitment that went into returning the Stonehouse and its wine program to greatness following the disastrous events of 2018.”

San Ysidro Ranch is part of Ty Warner Hotels & Resorts, which was founded by entrepreneur Ty Warner. Ty Warner Hotel & Resort Properties include:  San Ysidro Ranch, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, Four Seasons Hotel New York, Las Ventanas al Paraiso, Montecito Club, Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club, Sandpiper Golf Course and Rancho San Marcos. For more information on the property, visit http://www.sanysidroranch.com.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: Bordeaux, California, cellar, chateau, library wines, restaurant, Santa Barbara, united states, vertical, vintage

Inglenook Reopens

July 4, 2020 by evebushman

RUTHERFORD, California – Catherine Durand, Estate President of Inglenook, has announced that the historic winery reopened to Heritage Society members on June 12 and welcomed the public on June 25. Plans and circumstances continue to evolve, and the health and safety of Inglenook’s team and guests are always at the forefront.

Conveniently located just minutes from Napa County’s private airport, Inglenook was founded in 1879 and the stunning chateau on the organically-farmed estate was built in 1887. The chateau and estate are ideal for visitors seeking privacy from other parties. Tasting appointments will be by reservation only, with a limited number of guests allowed on the estate.

The gracious Inglenook team is donning white gloves and masks to protect guests and offer the impeccable, warm service for which Inglenook is known. Guests can book a tasting alongside Inglenook’s iconic fountain in the winery’s open, breezy courtyard – or tucked into a cozy private cellar or salon inside the spectacular historic stone chateau. The estate is also available for private gatherings that include a memorable lunch or dinner crafted by Inglenook’s Chef Alex Lovick, who draws upon the bounty of Inglenook’s organically-farmed estate and culinary garden.

Behind the scenes, guests can be assured that the Inglenook team will be thoroughly cleaning all high-touch surfaces hourly and that every detail has been planned, from contactless payment to redesigned traffic flow within the chateau that minimizes contact among people.

“Hospitality is in our hearts,” said Durand. “We are so excited to welcome guests back to Inglenook. The winery just hasn’t been the same without visitors.”

From Gustave Niebaum to John Daniel, Jr. to Francis Ford Coppola, Inglenook’s three principal stewards have shared a strong sense of vision and an unwavering passion to create a wine estate that hearkens back to the European tradition, producing original, distinctly Napa wines that rival the best in Europe. Inglenook is located at 1991 St. Helena Highway in Rutherford and will be open Thursday – Sunday. Reservations can be made by calling 707-968-1161 or by emailing reservations@inglenook.com. Much more information on Inglenook’s tasting experiences can be found at www.inglenook.com/visit.

Here are photos of Inglenook’s courtyard and private cellars and salons.

About Inglenook
Founded in 1879 by Gustave Niebaum as Napa’s first estate winery, Inglenook boasts an illustrious heritage, a renowned legacy of innovation and an outstanding portfolio of award-winning wines that have defined and established Napa as a world-class wine region. From Gustave Niebaum to John Daniel, Jr. to Francis Ford Coppola, Inglenook’s three principal stewards have shared a strong sense of vision and an unwavering passion to create a wine estate that hearkens back to the European tradition, producing original, distinctly Napa wines that rival the best in Europe.  It remains the largest contiguous estate on the famed Rutherford Bench, Napa Valley’s finest area for producing spectacular Cabernet Sauvignon.

The iconic Inglenook chateau was first constructed in 1887, and faithfully restored in 1997.  Befitting the grandeur of the Inglenook estate, the chateau welcomes guests for seated tastings and special events. Experiences include tours of the Chateau, the Infinity caves, the vineyards, barrel tastings and culinary offerings under the direction of Winery Chef Alex Lovick who expertly pairs the wines with the seasonal, organic bounty of the expansive estate farm and orchards.
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Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: California, cellar, chateau, culinary, estate, farming, Napa, organic, rutherford, tasting, tour, winery

Bordeaux En Primeurs Week Canceled but Château Malescasse Maintains Efforts to Achieve High Standards

May 10, 2020 by evebushman

BORDEAUX, FRANCE (PRWEB) – Despite the cumulation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancelation of the En Primeurs Week, Château Malescasse is continuing to focus on producing wine that earned the estate a “Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel” classification, propelling the domaine at the forefront of the Médoc’s most highly regarded properties.

The Crus Bourgeois du Médoc appellation announced a new three-tier classification system earlier this year and among 249 châteaux classified Crus Bourgeois, “Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel” has only been awarded to 14 selected properties. The “Exceptionnel ” level of the new classification requires quality standards and sustainable practices and the following of strict guidelines with technical procedures applied to the vineyard, the harvest method, bottling and quality assurance. Furthermore, the promotion of the wines is evaluated; from the presentation of the site and tourism offerings to distribution and international activities.

Over the past seven years, Château Malescasse has undergone a revolution; with changes to processes in the vineyard, winemaking practices as well as marketing efforts which contributed to earning this elite classification.

“We couldn’t be more proud of this distinction, it is the result of many years of dedicated work and a strong team effort. It is an honor to be recognized as one of the top properties in the Médoc,” said Alban Cacaret, Managing Director of Château Malescasse.

The vineyards were restructured in terms of soil, rootstock, clone and planting density, to operate in the same vein as the neighbouring Grands Crus Classés. The sustainable farming practices now center around preserving the existing biodiversity, the overall natural state of the vineyard environment and optimizing energy usage. Yields have been reduced and a rigorous grape selection process has been implemented, with only 50% used in the blend of the premier wine, compared to 80% in previous years.

All of the winemaking practices are focused on preserving the pureness of the fruit and are overseen by wine consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt. A new wine cellar was created with small volume oak barrels and concrete vessels enabling harvests of single vineyard plots.

As part of the continuous efforts to create a better experience for visitors on the estate, Château Malescasse has been fully restored: the winery and the charterhouse have been fully revamped to form a living, welcoming experience, inspired by the history of the estate and the neoclassical style of the finest houses of the Médoc. The property organizes public and private events and has become a dynamic and unmissable spot on the Bordeaux wine trail. It attracts visitors from around the world, looking to experience refinement and the French art of living.

About Château Malescasse: Owned by Vignobles Austruy since 2012, Château Malescasse has been crafting its signature Bordeaux wines in the Haut-Médoc between Margaux and Saint-Julien since the early 19th century. It acquired and maintained the Cru Bourgeois status since 2003 before obtaining the Exceptionnel distinction earlier this year. The château and gardens cover over 1.5 acres surrounded by 100 acres of vineyards.

About the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc:
The Crus Bourgeois du Médoc form the largest family of Bordeaux crus from some of the most prestigious appellations of the Left Bank. This family brings together vineyards with widely differing profiles and terroirs that satisfy a drastic set of requirements. Thanks to its yearly blind selection process, the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc guarantees consumers a standard of quality for every bottle that proudly bears the “Cru Bourgeois” label.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: Bordeaux, bottling, bourgeois, chateau, clone, covid, estate, France, grand cru, grape, harvest, medoc, Oak, root, soil, sustainable, tour, vineyard, wine cellar, winemaking

Louis Roederer Carries on its American Journey in Napa Valley

April 9, 2020 by evebushman

OAKLAND, CALIF. (PRWEB) – The story of Maison Louis Roederer’s passion for unique terroirs of Cabernet Sauvignon dates back to the early 1990s with the purchase of Château de Pez in 1995 in the renowned Bordeaux appellation of Saint-Estèphe. 2007 marked the entry of the family into the select group of 1855 Classified Grands Crus wines with the purchase of the iconic Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.

Photo from Diamond Creek’s Facebook page.

“The acquisition of Diamond Creek is the continuation of our journey into the greatest appellations in the world and our relentless quest to produce great wines with strong identity. Reflective of their pioneering characters, Al and Boots Brounstein built Diamond Creek from the ground up, producing some of the most celebrated and singular wines of the region. I am delighted that, once again, we have the opportunity to carry on the opus of an iconic family and embody its values and savoir-faire,” states Frédéric Rouzaud, President & CEO of Maison Louis Roederer.

“Most important to my Mom, myself and the family was finding the right partner who would respect the legacy that she and Al built over the last 50 years, and who could even elevate that legacy. Frédéric and his family are the perfect fit,” says Phil Ross, Boots Brounstein’ son and Managing Partner.

The mutual respect and admiration between Roederer and Diamond Creek run deep — in 1997, Al and Boots Brounstein were among a small group of wine luminaries invited to Paris by Jean-Claude Rouzaud, Frédéric’s father, to celebrate the 30 greatest wines in the world on his 30-year anniversary at the helm of Louis Roederer. Their friendly relationship endured until Al’s passing and Jean-Claude’s retirement in 2006; it was carried on by Frédéric and Boots who were exploring ways to partner until she passed in July 2019 at age 92.

Phil Ross has agreed to stay at the winery for a period of time. Winemaker Phil Steinschriber, who has been with Diamond Creek since 1991, has also agreed to stay. The majority of the employees, many of whom have worked at Diamond Creek for decades, will also continue there.

Maison Louis Roederer
Originally founded in 1776, Champagne Louis Roederer continues as one of the very rare Champagne houses to remain firmly in the hands of the same family, since 1832. For three centuries, seven successive generations have been responsible for building a reputation for unparalleled quality and continuity. Its focus on meticulous viticulture, best demonstrated with an ongoing conversion to organic and biodynamic vineyards, as well as precise winemaking, account for the House’s enduring excellence and success.

Since 1990, Maison Louis Roederer has strategically acquired esteemed family-owned wineries with an approach centered around identical core values, long-term vision and continuity.

Ramos Pinto (1990), Champagne Deutz and Delas Frères (1993), Château de Pez (1995), Domaines Ott (2004), Scharffenberger Cellars (2004), Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (2007) and Merry Edwards (2019).

Roederer has also established new ventures: Roederer Estate (1982) and Domaine Anderson (2012) and owns Descaves, an historic wine merchant on the Place de Bordeaux.

Diamond Creek
Founded in 1968, Diamond Creek is California’s first exclusively Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Vineyard. Visionary pioneer Al Brounstein assisted by his wife Boots defied modern conventions and planted Bordeaux varietals on secluded Diamond Mountain. The four vineyards — Red Rock Terrace, Volcanic Hill, Gravelly Meadow and Lake — produce a small amount of long-lived wines that are elegant with great depth and richness, honored and cherished by connoisseurs the world over.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: Bordeaux, cabernet sauvignon, California, chateau, grand cru

Vintage Eve Circa 4/2017: The ‘Cru Bourgeois’ Distinction

March 10, 2020 by evebushman

I attended a wine class organized by the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), of which I am a member, to learn more about ‘Cru Bourgeois’ wines mostly from the Medoc and Haut Medoc region of Bordeaux, France.

Chateau Lestiac, from the Cru Bourgeois official website

Wine appellations in Europe have lots of rules and distinctions. The Cru Bourgeois was different from any other I had learned about before, and the prices – $20 to $50 average – made them accessible to anyone with wine interests.

There were just maybe two dozen of us in the class: sommeliers, wine store owners and wine students. I was surprised to learn that I was one of two people that had been to Bordeaux, but not to the Medoc region.

Some of the reasons why the Bordeaux region is important

  • All of our winemaking techniques blending, fining, etc. – come from Bordeaux.
  • One of the longest aging wines in the world, it’s a fact with a proven track record.
  • Lower alcohol levels than other age-worthy wines.
  • Bordeaux is divided between the left and right bank of the Gironde river. Left was originally under water before the Dutch drained it, leaving great white gravel pebbles, the “secret to Bordeaux.”
  • Due to the weather blending became a necessity.
  • Vintage years are important, and pushed by producers, due to unpredictable weather.
  • The wines made on the right side of the Gironde river aew Merlot-based. Grows best in colder gravel/soil. Hills and limestone, limestone stays cooler.
  • Left of the Gironde is Cabernet Sauvignon-based. White pebbles in vineyard increase ripeness.

Haut Medoc and Medoc

Haut Medoc is where the classic Cabernets come from. If you travel the road between Medoc and Haut Medoc, running south to north, the gravel changes from smaller and fine to bigger gravel and more clay. So wines from Haut Medoc are more tannic, potent, powerful and require more aging. As you continue up the wines get bigger. It is widely considered that wines made from grapes closer to the Gironde River are better.

Crus Bourgeois du Medoc

The term, Crus Bourgeois, first became commercial in 19th century. The classification was made official in 1932 with 444 members. By 2003 there were 247 Chateau in the association.

The Crus Bourgeois are considered good wines that weren’t let into Grand Cru classification. This was a way to get national recognition beyond the Grand Crus.

The Crus Bourgeois is a privately controlled certifying organization. At one point one member of the panel was a vintner, it was eventually deemed unfair, and in 2009 a new tasting was held.

The first official selection of Crus Bourgeois was for the 2008 vintage. Every year, two years after harvest, the wines are tasted to see if they will be included as a Crus Bourgeois. The procedure is done annually, to every vintage, and supervised by an outside party, with an audit and a blind tasting. (Grand Crus don’t do this testing)

They have to have a representative random sample, to get an indication of that year’s quality, so they do an annual blind tasting that starts with 80 samples and goes down to 16. This gives a benchmark score of quality and what they are looking for.

More Facts of the Crus Bourgeois

  • Cru Bourgeois can be identified by QR code on a white label affixed to foil.
  • 3% of Medoc vineyards, 30 million bottles, make the Crus Bourgeois du Medoc.
  • Average price is $25 a bottle and remain stable.
  • 2013 and 2015 are the highest scanned bottles sold. California, New York and Texas are the states that visit the crus-bourgeois.com website the most.
  • You can visit 90% of the properties for tours and tastings.
  • They plan to reintroduce three levels, Crus Bourgeois, Superior Crus Bourgeois and Exceptional Crus Bourgeois categories by 2020.
  • They also want the review process to be every five years and not for single years.

Presented by NASA

For centuries, BORDEAUX has commanded an almost mythical status in the world of wine, beguiling kings, emperors and dictators alike. While its survival is dependent on the capricious nature of weather,  its prosperity has always been tied to the shifting fortunes of global economies. As powerful nations rise and fall, so does the fate of this place.

One of the unique and historical characteristics of this commanding wine region is the quality ‘classification’ of its left bank (Medoc) wineries. Most of us are well aware of the famous 1855 classification that divided the wineries into a ‘Grand Cru’ scale of 1 to 5 and how unreachable the 5 top Chateaux are in price…but how about the wineries that were NOT classified in 1855 ? The ones that were born after, or perhaps never made the cut back then but today make fabulous wines at accessible prices? Welcome the CRU BOURGEOIS. Created in 1962 but with a far longer history, this association of producers stands to protect, classify and promote all the superb wineries that were not classified in 1855 and were in the hands of merchants and not noble families. They represent some of the best and most competitive wines that Bordeaux has to offer. As a result of their selection criteria and positioning in terms of price, the Crus Bourgeois are ideally suited to today’s markets and the requirements of increasingly demanding consumers.

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

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: aging, alcohol, blending, Bordeaux, bourgeois, cabernet sauvignon, chateau, europe, France, harvest, medoc, Merlot, nasa, north american sommelier association, sommelier, vintage, vintner, weather, wine education, wine store, winemaking

Eve Reviews: Union des Grands Crus 2017 Bordeaux Vintage

January 31, 2020 by evebushman

Once again the Union des Grands Crus came to LA for their annual event, a tasting of their newest wines from the Bordeaux region of France. This time it was to present the 2017 vintage. The press and trade come in the afternoon, and then the wine reps do it all over again for the public in the evening. The event was held at Sofitel LA, in the dining room, patio and bar. It was a different set up, and not all of the members of the UGC were there (we were told that there was another UGC event that day in a different state) but with at least 100 Château present, it was more than enough to taste and get a feel for the new wines.

For this article I will share my own general “takeaway” from the event, the tastes I enjoyed the most and a link to my photos.
https://www.parkviewortho.com/wp-content/languages/new/premarin.html

A note about this year’s photos: People have asked me what my trick is for remembering what wines I’ve liked over the years. In the past I would remember a label, however not always because I liked the wine, the label would stick in my memory. So I got in the habit of trying to take photos of the wines I like. For this tasting I did that, and for the wines that really stood out, I tried to get a photo of the wine with the rep.

2017 Takeaway

Between our own palates (my husband Eddie has attended with me for many years and knows what to look for in these young wines) we found that we liked most of the classic Château the best, the names of which most Bordeaux lovers know. We often bought futures of the red Bordeaux, sometimes buying a few new discoveries, and often it has been the classics that always fared the best. Maybe that’s why they’re so good year after year for so many people and remain classics. One last note, maybe it’s me but I can’t seem to find a Sauterne that I don’t like, especially after a long day of tasting red Bordeaux wines.

Wines We Liked

Château Talbot, Château Carbonneau, Château Clinet, Château Rauzan Gassies​, Château Phélan Ségur​, Château Lagrange​, Château Gloria​, Château Canon​, Château La Couspaude St Emilion​, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey – 1er Grand Cru Classé en 1855​, Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey​, Château Doisy Daene​, Château les Carmes Haut-Brion​, Château Latour-Martillac, Château Domaine de Chevalier, Château La Tour Carnet, Château Ferrière​, Château Giscours​, Château Malescot​.

What Stood Out

Château Leoville Poyferre, Smith Haut Lafitte, Château Lynch Bages, Château La Gaffelière, Château Beau-Sejour Becot, Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Château Guiraud, Château Suduiraut, Château Duhart-Milon, Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse De Lalande,Château Rauzan Segla, Château Croizet Bages, Château Marquis De Terme.

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 (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: Bordeaux, chateau, France, los angeles, sauterne, union Des Grands Cru, vintage, wine rep

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Eve Bushman

Eve Bushman, owner Eve’s Wine 101 and Eve Bushman Consulting.

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