Eve's Wine 101

My Fave Wines + Spirits of 2022

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Every year I reflect back on the best wines I’ve enjoyed the past year, and since I’ve had so many I often Google my name on the Internet to remind myself of it all. Of huge note was our trip to the Lake Garda, Italy DOC, and Chateauneuf du Pape…but there were many, many other wines – and spirits –  I’ve enjoyed. Here they are, pretty much in order from January through December 2022:

Lodi

I only had one day in Lodi to taste wines, and for this section I will focus on just one as it was so remarkable we became club members. Winemaker and owner Susan Tipton of Acquiesce Winery, aka the White Wine Winery, has been making award-winning Rhone wines that many other people have discovered long before we found them. There wasn’t a single wine that we didn’t love, from that first tasting and since with our club shipments.

Napa

As a wine journalist I try very hard to visit new wineries to write about when I visit California wine country. This past year the wineries of note that I loved in Napa include Myriad Cellars (winemaker Mike Smith makes an amazing number of 100-point wines), Hall Wines, Cakebread Cellars, Ladera Vineyard, Stag’s Leap Cellars, Titus Vineyards and Honig Vineyard and Cellars.

The Garda DOC

Lake Garda is the biggest lake in Italy, not as famous as Lake Como – I’m told that’s only because George Clooney made Como more popular when he set up residence there – and a large winemaking AVA. Prosecco is king, but I also enjoyed many red wine varieties while there. It’s also a beautiful lake dotted with amazing coastal towns that each offer something interesting for travelers and wine lovers. Read more about it in my article in Elite Magazine.

Chateauneuf du Pape

Eddie and I jumped at the chance to visit this amazing wine area – and this is how our adventure was titled for the online magazine Daily Ovation: A Wine Lover’s Bucket List: Eve Bushman Spends a Week Touring and Tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape. (Bite-sized articles on the area can also be found on this blog.) Besides all of the amazing Rhone wines we got to taste in several wineries, and sharing the experience with seasoned writers, my most vivid memory was seeing the amazing large quartz stones, that went two meters down before hitting any earth, that many of the vineyards were covered in. I’d heard it described many times, “rocky soil”, but seeing it was believing it. Wineries we visited included Domaine Du Pegau, Domaine Roger Sabon, Domaine de la Mordoree, Domaine Andre Brunel, le Clos du Caillou, Domaine la Barroche, Chateau Mont-Redon, Domaine du Grand Tinel, Domaine Saint Prefert et Domaine Isabel Ferrando and Vieux Telegraphe.

Single Bottle Posts and Events

When I have a remarkable bottle I do single-bottle blog posts on them in this blog. My thinking is that a winemaker has spent so much time creating that one wine, let me try and do it justice by devoting an article to it. I also receive bottles for review, dedicating the same space on the blog for them as well, and attended some remarkable events. In 2022 I truly loved a 2008 Robert Mondavi To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon from our cellar, Vinos Zanzonico 2020 Reserva Chardonnay and 2019 Reserva Syrah, Middle West Pumpernickel Rye whiskey, Corvezzo wines from Italy, the 2022 Bar and Restaurant Expo, 2021 Alavida Kosher Malbec, wines from Portugal’s Herdade do Esporao, Masters of Taste 2022, PureCru Brut Rose Sparkling wine, 2019 Chateau du Moulin-a-vent Beaujolais, many discoveries at the Universal Whisky Experience, Greek wines, 2019 Catena Malbec from Argentina, Knox and Dobson ready-to-drink cocktails, Valdobbiadene Prosecco and others. (If any of these interest you feel free to email me for the hyperlinks, or search this blog for more details.)

Now I can only ask, what exciting wines and spirits will 2023 have for us?

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the 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 Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

WINE PARIS AND VINEXPO PARIS 2023, AN INTERNATIONAL MILESTONE

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Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris returns in 2023 from February 13th– 15th  at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Four months ahead of the 4th edition, Vinexposium is preparing for its signature event, aiming to enhance the business experience for attendees and resonate with the entire community of wine and spirits professionals.

Following a very successful event in 2022, Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023 solidifies its role as the international show for wines and spirits at a key moment in the calendar year, and in an ideal location in the heart of Europe. The high expectations voiced for the forthcoming edition, with even greater overseas representation expected, are echoed in the registration numbers– over 98% of producers have already signed up for the event.

WINE PARIS & VINEXPO PARIS, THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE

In 2023, significant emphasis will be placed on welcoming international visitors and producers, with over 52 wine producing countries attending the exhibition. In 2022, over 25,000 visitors came to the show. More are expected this year. 

Noteworthy international pavilions include the United States, making a big comeback in Paris (with delegations from California, Oregon, New York and Washington) as well as attendance by Argentina, Japan, Canada, Germany, Austria, Greece, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Portugal, Switzerland, Belgium to name a few. Many other international companies will be presenting their products, including VSPT Wine Group from Chile; ViniPortugal for Portugal as well as IVDP (Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto) l exhibiting for the first time in Paris; Viña Costeira, Bodegas Medrano Irazu, Bodegas Franco Española, Dominio de Punctum, Bodegas Raíces Ibéricas and Very Fine Vinos from Spain and Matteo Colla-Wines from Piedmont, Area 39 and Consorzio Tutela del Vino Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco representing Italy.

BRINGING TOGETHER ALL FRENCH WINE REGIONS

French wine promotional agencies are determined to make a strong showing, with all of the winegrowing regions present under one roof at this year’s show.  The regions will feature independent winegrowers  exhibiting alongside prominent industry players, representing wines from :

  • Alsace (Alsace Frey-Sohler, Henri Ehrart),
  • Beaujolais (Maison Jean Loron, Les vins Aujoux),
  • Bordeaux (Duclot, Domaine Barons de Rothschild-Lafite, New Aquitaine organic winegrowers),
  • Burgundy (Diva Domaines & Distillerie, Paquet Montagnac),
  • Languedoc-Roussillon (Gérard Bertrand, Vignobles Jeanjean, Moulin de Gassac),
  • Loire (Orchidées Maisons de vin, Domaine de Bois Mozé),
  • Champagne (Champagne Mailly Grand Cru, Champagne Palmer & Co, Champagne Gratiot & Cie, Champagne Lallier, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte)
  • and the Rhone Valley (Famille Ravoire, Domaines Aimé Arnoux).

  • More information on the exhibitors online here.

A FOCUS ON SPIRITS

In addition to wines, the Be Spirits area will highlight spirits and craft drinks from all backgrounds, ranging from craft distillers to household brands and featuring diverse selections, from hard tea to infused rum. Participants will include international spirits, such as Eyland Spirits and its Icelandic gin Olafsson, whisky, rum and vodka from Canada with Notaboo and Japanese sake and shochu with the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association along with American ready-to-drink Slim Chillers.

French spirits will also enjoy a share of the limelight with attendance by the National Armagnac Bureau, Cognac with Château Montifaud, craft cream liqueurs with La Mentheuse, and whisky by La Distillerie Warenghem.

Discover the full selection of spirit producers exhibiting at the show.

Designed to showcase the creative genius of the top mixologists, the Infinite Bar will host 10 Parisian bars, 5 bars from French regions and 5 European bars this year behind an imposing 40-meter long bar.

The 2023 Rhone Rangers Experience

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(Paso Robles) – The national Rhone Rangers will host the 15th “Rhone Rangers Experience” on Sunday, February 19, 2023, in Paso Robles, CA. A full day is planned during the annual Presidents’ Weekend event, including a “Rhone Essentials” seminar, Vintners’ Luncheon, Grand Tasting of 200+ wines, and a Silent Auction benefitting the Rhone Rangers Scholarship Fund. Rhone Rangers from throughout the organization will be represented, including wineries from Paso Robles, Santa Barbara County, Monterey County, Napa, Sonoma, Lodi, the Sierra Foothills, Oregon, and Texas.

The Rhone Rangers, who are dedicated to the education and the promotion of American Rhone varietal wines, will present a top example of each of the principal categories of Rhone wines during the seminar. The morning session will be moderated by Jess Lander, wine reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle and author, with a panel of winemakers and principals who have chosen the Rhone Ranger route. Rhone Rangers representing the nine essential categories include: Viognier –Eberle Winery-Paso Robles, Obscure White-Rhone Varietal (Picpoul) – Bonny Doon Vineyard,-Central Coast, White-Rhone Blend – Acquiesce-Lodi, Dry Rosé – Margerum Wine Company-Santa Barbara County, Grenache – Starfield Vineyards-El Dorado, Mourvèdre – J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines-Paso Robles, Syrah – Cline Family Cellars- Los Carneros, Sonoma County, Obscure Red Varietal (Counoise) – Adelaida Vineyards & Winery-Paso Robles, and Red-Rhone Blend – Stolpman- Ballard Canyon, Santa Barbara County.  Following the seminar, participants will enjoy an al fresco luncheon prepared by Chef Jeffery Scott.

The afternoon segment of the Rhone Rangers Experience will include a Grand Tasting of 200+ wines from Rhone Rangers members, including top single Rhone varietals and the best in Rhone blends. Throughout the tasting, guests are invited to bid on auction lots donated by Rhone Ranger member wineries, with proceeds benefitting the Rhone Rangers educational and scholarship fund.

An “All-Access” package is available, including the Welcoming Coffee Bar/Auction Preview, Seminar, Luncheon, and early-entry into the Grand Tasting and Silent Auction ($165 per person + tax/fees), or guests may select the Grand Tasting/Silent Auction afternoon segment ($75 per person + tax/fees). Trade and media inquiries may be sent to kim@rhonerangers.org. For additional information and to reserve tickets, visit the Rhone Rangers website, www.rhonerangers.org.  

About the Rhone Rangers

Founded in 1998, the Rhone Rangers are a group of 100+ wineries throughout the United States dedicated to making wines from the 22 grape varieties originally made famous in France’s Rhône Valley.  With a mission to educate and promote American Rhone varietal wines, the organization holds special events and fundraisers throughout the year to raise funds for the Rhone Rangers Scholarship Fund, which benefits students studying viticulture, enology and wine business.

The End: Domaine du Grand Tinel, Domaine Saint Prefert Et Domaine Isabel Ferrando and Vieux Telegraphe

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My final installment from my time in Chateauneuf du Pape is a visit and tour at Domaine du Grand Tinel that’s been making wine for 7 generations! (My husband Eddie covered me for another day – see his coverage from Domaine Saint Prefert Et Domaine Isabel Ferrando and Vieux Telegraphe below.)

Lucien Jeune, born in 1904, is known for two things, first he passed a law forbidding UFOs from landing in the vineyards – making the area more appealing to inquisitive tourists – and he was also mayor for 25 years. Grand Tinel began in 1972, combining estates owned by Lucien Jeune and Georges Establet, when their children married in 1968.

To this day harvest is all done by hand, they have two wineries from two different terroirs: Domaine du Grand Tinel and Domaine de Saint Paul. They don’t make all of the white Rhone varieties, and they focus on the three major reds: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Some of their vines are over 100 years old. They only use new oak barrels for the whites and used for the reds. Wine is sold through Negotiants, mostly to the private sector of French buyers. Bottling and labeling is done in-house.

These were my favorites from the tasting: The 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc, the 2020 Cuvee Cotes du Rhone (Roussanne based), Domaine Saint Paul 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape (Grenache and Syrah based, 70 year old vines), 2018  L’insolite (100% Syrah) and 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Heres (100% Grenache).

Eddie and friends (I was back at the Villa with a cold) visited Domaine Saint Prefert Et Domaine Isabel Ferrando and Vieux Telegraphe…these are his memories of the day:

My day began at Domaine Saint Prefert and with an introduction and discussion with owner Isabel Fernando, and a tasting of the latest vintages. The 2021 Blanc Famille Isabel Fernando Chateauneuf du Pape was a great sample of their wines. The 2020 Colombis from Chateauneuf du Pape was outstanding as well.

The afternoon brought us to Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe. Vieux Telegraphe has been a family run winery since 1891. The sixth generation of the Brunier family is continuing the tradition of making excellent wines. Daniel Brunier gave us a wonderful tour and explanation of their winemaking style. The tour included a walk through their newly constructed caves for wine aging and storage.

The tasting began with Clos Roquete, a very approachable wine made from 33% Roussanne, 33% Clairette, and 34% Grenache Blanc. This wine was so good, we bought a bottle for dinner that night. The 2020 Blanc was outstanding as well.  We tasted the entire flight ending with the 2019 Rouge Chateauneuf du Pape made from 65% Grenache Noir, 15% Mourvedre, 15% Syrah, with Cinsault, Clairette and others at 5%. As a special treat, Daniel opened their 2010 rouge Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape. This wine was truly a standout in all the wines tasted on the trip so far. The wine had aged well and still had the ability go age a couple of dozen more years. Many Vieux Telegraphe wines were included in the case we had shipped home.

Instagrams: @DomaineDuGrandTinel @isabelferrando_stprefert @VieuxTelegraphe

Websites: https://www.domainegrandtinel.fr/en/#historique

https://www.st-prefert.com/

Accueil

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the 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 Proof Awards, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Domaine la Barroche and Château Mont Redon PLUS The Terroir and Castles

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We began the day at Domaine la Barroche where the sandy soil with quartz stones took over the vineyards. The same 12 people do the harvest every year; and the group also sorts the grapes in buckets by hand for the 2,000 cases of wine they produce a year. During the de-stemming process they discard any too-dry berries. Then, later, the winemaking process is “like slow cooking at low temperatures” according to our host.

We tasted wines from their Liberty (stones), Julien Barrot (signature) and Fiancée labels. Every wine I tasted I noted as distinguished: the 2020, 2019 and 2016 Julien Barrot Chateauneuf du Pape, 2020 Liberty blend and the 2020 Fiancée Chateauneuf du Pape.

Chateau Mont- Redon

Before our tasting at Mont-Redon I took a few moments to look over their colorful brochure and large maps. I read, “The secret of our skill is hidden in the poor soils in which the vines grow. Originally the Alps, Chateauneuf du Pape, round puddings stones are what make our wines special. Our Lirac and Cotes du Rhone are at their best on the plains, also stony, neighboring those of Chateauneuf du Pape.” Château Mont Redon will be celebrating their 100-year anniversary next year, with the same family at the helm since 1923!

We tasted a 2021 Roussanne Viognier Reserve Cotes du Rhone, 2020 Oratoire St. Domaine Martin Rhone Valley, 2020 Lirac GSM, 2018 Reserve Gigondas and a 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape. Learned that they don’t export their wines until they are at least five years old – as the U.S. consumer is not known for aging their wines – and we should be buying the 2019s now.

Terroir tour Day Courtesy A 2 Pas des Vignes Hebergements and Spa

Next up was a fabulous tour of the different rocks – including beautiful quartz – and different soils all throughout the Cote Du Rhone and Chateauneuf du Pape with Nicolas of “A 2 Pas des Vignes Hebergements and Spa”! (He and his wife Emilie own four homes to rent, and a spa on the premises.) Castles – all minutes away – include the Pope’s Palace, Chateau de Vaudieu, Chateau La Nerthe and Hostellerie du Château that also has a lovely restaurant. I highly recommend a stay at 2 Pas as the pricing is more than reasonable as well as being in the center of Chateauneuf du Pape. Nicolas offered us the tour, though he is not a tour guide, but I also suggest a tour so that you can get more of a sense of the terroir and history.

Instagram: @DomaineLaBarroche @ChateauMontRedon

Websites: https://www.domainelabarroche.com/

https://www.chateaumontredon.com/

Instagram: @a2pasdesvignes

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/a2pasdesvignes

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the 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 Proof Awards, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Day Three in Chateauneuf du Pape: Domaine Andre Brunel and le Clos du Caillou

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Our next day in Chateauneuf du Pape was spent at Domaine Andre Brunel and le Clos du Caillou! At Andre Brunel we learned that the namesake had passed away in February and his son Fabrice, Andre’s longtime apprentice, then took over as winemaker. Some of the Grenache vineyards are 135 years old. One other interesting fact is that in a recent blind tasting of a 1959 Andre Brunel vintage the wine was thought to have been a Burgundy instead of a Rhone!

We tasted in the winery, during a day of noisy pressing, but it didn’t keep us from enjoying several wines. Along with their Chateauneuf du Pape label we also sampled blends from their Cotes du Rhone Villages. My favorite was a 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Cailloux that was a 60% Grenache blend with Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault. The wine had been aged in a Burgundy barrel.

Onto le Clos du Caillou where some of their wines are grown within the CDP boundaries and some are outside of it in Cotes du Rhone territory.

The Cailloux area, mentioned above in a wine from Andre Brunel, is just outside of CDP but has the same soil and terroir. Some of their vineyards have sandy soils and some are pebbly.

Their Grand Reserve wine is their most famous and comes from pure sandy soils, which for the winery means “elegance, fine tannins and aging potential.” Their new winery, Domaine de Panisse, began in 2020 and the wines are all sold out. In 2007 they went organic and were certified as so in 2010. They are also biodynamic but are not yet certified for that distinction. Grenache is their number one produced grape, followed by Syrah, Mourvedre and other Rhônes. They only work with used barrels.

We tasted seven wines and the most memorable one for me was the Les Quartz Rouge – Chateauneuf du Pape 2020 for its fresh red fruit, richness and smooth balance. The grapes used – 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah – came from the vineyard that just happened to be just outside of the Chateauneuf du Pape region.
Our host said the wine had a 20-year aging potential. The wine was priced at 55 Euros.

Instagram: @Domaine_AndreBrunel @ClosDuCaillou

Websites: https://domaine-andre-brunel.fr/

https://www.closducaillou.com/

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the 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 Proof Awards, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Bucket List: Chateauneuf du Pape, Part One Domaine Pegau

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What’s on your Bucket List? While a normal person wants to check off going to Mars, driving a racecar or meeting a president, wine writers have lists that almost always include visiting wineries in far off places. Having Shiraz in Australia, Tempranillo in Spain, Chianti Classico in Italy and Malbec in Argentina are on our lists, but top of the list for me has always been France. I had two days in Bordeaux years ago and a week in the Garda DOC in Italy that just wet my whistle for more, so when a small group of wine writers was being put together, to visit Chateauneuf du Pape for arguably the best Rhone wines in the world, I poised my pencil over my list and made a huge mark – YES, please, take me!

Quick travel tips: Bottles are priced much less at the source, even with shipping costs; we saved in buying a case to have sent home. If you can’t get winery appointments, or don’t have the time, we found several tasting rooms in town – as well as several places for meals. None of us in our party spoke fluent French, and though it would have helped, we were fine communicating in English. You can drive your own car, on the right side of the street, but there are many roundabouts, toll roads and narrow roadways.

Domaine Pegau

Our first day in France began with a sunrise at our friend’s Villa in Monoblet. From there we traveled 90 minutes for a tour and tasting at Chateau (wines from the Cote du Rhone area) and Domaine (Chateauneuf du Pape area in Rhone) from Pegau. We have a few Domaine Pegau wines in our cellar and really looked forward to visiting the real deal.

From our host we learned that there are five towns in Chateauneuf du Pape that produced 95% red and 5% white wine grapes. They use 13 grape varieties and any given bottle only has to use one grape. Pegau – properly pronounced as “Pay-Go” – uses all 13, including blending white with red grapes. For their Cote du Rhone property Pegau makes 44% red wine and one Rose wine.

We learned that they are an old school winery, as far as winemaking techniques. When finished wine is ordered only then is a bottling truck ordered and labels created. (There are different laws for different labeling around the world, so that is the reason they have to wait to print the labels.)

Only old oak is used for aging and some barrels are 90 years old. Stainless steel tanks are only used for their white wines; some high-end whites also spend time in wood barrels and concrete eggs. They do no de-stem any of the wines, which for me meant that the terroir would show earthiness and tannins.

Now, onto the tasting! We sampled two Chateau Pegau Vallee du Rhone and two Domaine Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape, a white and red in each category, aged between 2019 and 2021. My personal preference on these leaned more toward the Chateauneuf du Pape wines and of particular note was the 2019 Cuvee Reservee that used all 13 Rhone grapes and 80% of that was Grenache. These wines were priced between 10 and 45 euros – which is pretty close to the same in American dollars.

Instagram: @Domaine_Du_Pegau

Website: https://pegau.com/

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the 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.

Eve Visits Chateauneuf du Pape: The Teaser

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If you’ve been watching any of my social media you have figured out that we recently cruised the Adriatic, but once we landed at our final destination – we decided not to make it our final destination. Our good friends, Steve and Vashti Roebuck, invited us to spend a week with them wine tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape. This post, especially the tags, give a clue as to what we were going to do:

Anybody got any great vacation plans? We have an Adriatic cruise credit from 2019 to use up and also got invited to share a Chateau with our good friends the Roebucks in France! They even booked us some great wine tastings! Stay tuned for photos – they will pop up at some point – and more details soon! 

#HollandAmerica #AdriaticCruise #Italy #Venice #Rome #Sicily #Naples #Greece #GreekIslands #Croatia #Malta #Albania #France #DomaineDueChat #RhoneValley #ChateauneufDuPape #Travel #Vacation #DomaineSaintPrefert @Roger.Sabon @Domaine_Du_Pegau @Domaine_Mordoree @BosquetdesPapes @Domaine_AndreBrunel @ClosDuCaillou @VieuxTelegraphe @DomaineDuGrandTinel @DomaineLaBarroche @ChateauMontRedon @DomainePierreUsseglio @PrincessIslandVashti @StreetSommVegas

More details on the Chateau: Welcome to the Domaine du Chat (formerly Chapt, pronounced Le Domaine du Chatte), You are very close to tourist sites and top-tier attractions (castle ruins, museums, steam train, caves, botanical gardens, sea of rocks …). The property extends over 120 hectares in the foothills of the Cévennes. The house dates from the 17th century is surrounded by an olive grove, an orchard, a vegetable garden, oak woods, fig trees and pines, and a beautiful meadow…

The owners of Domaine du Chat are Cécile (Chabrol) Fainsilber and Simon Chabrol. Their parents, Guy and Linette Chabrol, had transformed and furnished the estate in the 80s. The property, of which we have deeds that date back to 1638, is in the family since Jules Rossel (born in 1833: his portrait is above the radiator in the living room and his diplomas adorn the dining room). As is traditional in the Protestant families of the Cevennes, ancestors lay to rest on the estate. Cécile and Simon, with their respective spouses, Olivier Fainsilber and Katou (Haapasalo) Chabrol, have restored Le Domaine to current comfort standards and equipped it to receive you. Cécile and Olivier live in Paris and Simon and Katou live in Chatel Guyon, near Clermont Ferrand. Many cousins still live nearby. You will meet Arlette and Jacques, cousins by marriage, who help us maintain the estate and welcome you.

See it for yourself here: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/9969458

And stay tuned for more on all of the fantastic winery visits on Eve Wine 101 as well as: https://dailyovation.com/

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Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the 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.

France’s Rhône Valley Vineyards Shine in Sustainability Efforts Leading Up to the 2022 Harvest

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Inter Rhône, the organization that represents the Rhône Valley Vineyards AOCs, is pleased to share news about a new sustainability vision, as well as a set of pledges with assessment tools being put into place by the Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages AOCs, as the region is looking toward the upcoming 2022 harvest season.

In view of the challenges it currently faces (climatic, environmental, societal), the Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages AOCs are unveiling a series of four pledges for the future to ensure the sustainability of this dynamic and responsible wine region that is already 2,000 years old.

The four pledges address the macro challenges ahead and are officially codifying practices implemented by numerous winegrowers of the appellation over the past several years. These will ensure that the appellation can communicate on the work that is being done in the vineyards and in the wineries, both to the industry and to all Inter Rhône’s winegrowers, in order to encourage their propagation across the entire region. The vision of new sustainability pledges will include the following thematic pillars:

1. Ensuring the Transparency of Practices
The Côtes du Rhône AOC is governed by a set of specifications established by the decree of November 19, 1937. The appellation was one of the first AOCs created in France, and guaranteeing the quality and provenance of its wines is of great importance to both wineries, domaines and negociants selling around the world.

For the purposes of transparency, the Côtes du Rhône AOC will see the introduction of a guarantee stamp which is intended to ensure the traceability of the wine from the grape to the bottle. It will guarantee the quality of the product, combat counterfeiting and the usurpation of identity and origin. Each stamp will be unique and authenticates each bottle. Featuring technology that is tear-proof and forgery-proof, the new guarantee stamp will provide consumers with the confidence to select Côtes du Rhône wines anywhere new vintages can be purchased.

2. Protecting Biodiversity
Côtes du Rhône vineyards are among the world’s leaders in biodiversity, and it is Inter Rhône’s mission to ensure the natural well-being of the region for future generations. The pledge is based on the widely deployed Côtes du Rhône’s “Environmental Landscape Charter”, which was launched in the Côtes du Rhône AOC re­gion in 2014 and describes a set of best practices based on the wine producers’ voluntary commitment to improving the way they work their vineyards by using sustainable growing practices. It is part of a comprehensive approach aimed at further building the natural and built heritage of the appellation.

Another foundational guide for the winegrowers is the Côtes du Rhône AOC Strategic Environmental Action Plan, which enacted agreements with the French Observa­tory of Apidology, Regional League for the Protection of Birds, Gard Ornithological Centre, “Naturoptere” in Sarrians, and numerous wine producers, chambers of agriculture, viticultural experts, Defence and Management organizations to preserve biodiversity.

3. Respecting Terroirs and Preserving Resources
The Côtes du Rhône AOC domaines, wineries and negociants are taking the environmental issues being faced today very seriously, particularly concerning their vine-growing practices and waste reduction efforts.

With the growing number of environmental certifications becoming accessible to many small to medium winegrowers and producers, the Côtes du Rhône AOC is currently working on a guide of environmental recommendations. Currently being drafted, this guide will contain a set of recommendations intended to promote organic growing and to encourage and support changes in growing practices.

To date, at least one-third of the Côtes du Rhône AOC vineyard surface area can boast at least one or more certifications that are organic or environmentally-driven, such as: HVE (High Environmental Value), Terra Vitis and Vignerons Engagés. There is also a strong increase in the proportion of organic vineyards across the Côtes du Rhône AOC: In 2021, 12% of the harvest was certified organic, representing 13% of vineyards (8,600 hectares). The current trend is a strong increase in the number of companies converting to organic viticulture (+65% over 4 years), but also expectation of a sharp increase in the certified vineyard area for the next 2 to 3 years (the area currently ‘in conversion’ represents 50% of the area that is already certified). The significant increase in the number of Côtes du Rhône wineries and domaines converting to organic growing and the high proliferation of HVE certification attest to this long-term commitment of preservation.

4. Passing on a Legacy
Inter Rhône and its Côtes du Rhône AOCs are determined to protect the appellations’ vineyards for future generations and to communicate and transmit the richness of their heritage to the wi­dest possible audience. Utilizing the Côtes du Rhône “Environmental Lands­cape Charter” as a form of quality archi­tecture for the preser­vation of the 16 Côtes du Rhône landscape entities, vineyards and its local heritage, the mission pledges to preserve and promote the terroirs, local traditions and know-how of its people, as well as the products derived from them.

The lnstitut Rhodanien, where all of the Rhône Valley’s Research & Development takes place, has developed a new roadmap which also seeks to encourage producers to ensure the sustainability of the Côtes du Rhône vineyards and, more generally, the Rhône Valley vineyards. Its purpose is to build the future of the Rhône AOCs based on technical founda­tions.

According to Philippe Pellaton, the lnstitut Rhodanien’s President, “Societal expectations with regards to environmental issues in the vineyards, the necessary emphasis on low-residue wines, the work on the continuous adaptation of our red wines to mar­ket requirements and the clear definition of the profiles of the white and rosé wines are all areas that need to be urgently addressed and in which we need to support our producers.”

In addition to the four new sustainability pledges, Inter Rhône is also working on a number of strategic goals in 2022, including starting the process towards becoming certified sustainable (following the guidelines of ISO 26000 international standard). The organization is strongly committed to its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), with a labeling process and certification step being currently implemented. With a certified quality policy in place since 2018, Inter Rhône began steps to obtain the CSR label in January, 2021 with the mission to sustain the Rhône Valley AOCs, both environmentally and socially, focused on three concrete, measured actions covering the following pillars: 1) people are at the heart of the governance, 2) increasing the value of and promoting the AOCs in France and for export and 3) an organization that matters.

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About Inter Rhône – https://www.vins-rhone.com/en
Inter Rhône is a dynamic, deeply committed professional association representing all members of the Côtes du Rhône and Rhône Valley AOC wine industry. Founded in 1955, it coordinates the marketing and communications, business and technical activities of the following AOCs: Côtes du Rhône (Regional, Villages and Crus), Clairette de Bellegarde, Clairette de Die, Châtillon en Diois, Costières de Nîmes, Côtes du Vivarais, Coteaux de Die, Crémant de Die, Duché d’Uzès, Grignan les Adhémar, Luberon, Ventoux, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise and Rasteau sweet fortified wines, Eaux de Vie de Vin des Côtes du Rhône (or Fine des Côtes du Rhône) and Eaux de Vie de Marc des Côtes du Rhône (or Marc des Côtes du Rhône). Its activity is based on three key principles: fair representation for all professional groupings; parity between producers and négociants; and unanimity for all major decisions. Inter Rhône is both creative and accountable, standing alongside its members, supporting them and helping them in their quest to win greater recognition for Rhône Valley Vineyards wines in France and abroad.

Washington Wine Country Adds Rocky Reach American Viticulture Area

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ORONDO, Wash./PRNewswire/ — Rocky Pond Estate Winery, the Washington producer crafting wines from their breathtaking sustainably farmed riverside and lakeside vineyards in the Columbia River Valley, recently received good news when their Flagship Double D Vineyard and Rocky Reach Estate Vineyard received approval by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Rocky Reach will be Washington’s twentieth AVA.

“We are extremely pleased to see this return on our efforts,” stated Owners and Founders David and Michelle Dufenhorst. “This is an essential step towards recognizing what we’ve known for some time – that this is a remarkable place to grow and produce quality vines and wines.”

The Rocky Reach AVA will encompass over 32,333 acres (50 square miles) along the Columbia River. The AVA takes its name from the Rocky Reach Dam and the Rocky Reach Reservoir (also known as Lake Entiat). Steamboat captains first applied the name “Rocky Reach” to the region in the late 1800’s, to describe the rapids within a stretch, or “reach”, of the Columbia River. This new AVA will follow the Columbia River from Wenatchee north to Lake Chelan. Unlike its surrounding wine region, however, Rocky Reach possesses a unique combination of topography, soils, and climate — all of which call for a singular AVA designation.

These characteristics derive from a fascinating geologic history. Rocky Reach AVA consists of crystalline basement rocks which are silica rich due to the mica and quartz minerals. This is in contrast to the existing Columbia Valley AVA which is 95% basalt.

The soils were formed from wind-deposited sand and silt overlying cobblestone gravel and sand deposited by ice-aged floods. The prolific, stony surfaces warm quickly, and the hot stones radiate and retain daytime heat to the vines and promote faster and more complete ripening. The gravels within Rocky Reach were deposited approximately 18,800 years ago by gigantic floods. The new AVA envelopes several gently sloping terraces, but hovers below the surrounding highlands at elevations of no more than 1,600 feet.

Unlike the areas upstream in the Columbia Valley, Rocky Reach was never glaciated. Rocky Reach contains no glacial till nor erratic rocks and its landforms have not been shaped by erosion of ice. 

David Dufenhorst believes that this area is an undiscovered gem in the state of Washington. The unique amalgam of climate and geology within Rocky Reach is ideal for grape growing, bolstered by a long growing season of more than 150 days on average and lower riverside elevation. The Rocky Reach AVA officially recognizes the outstanding capacity of such a rare combination of characteristics.

Rocky Pond operates two tasting rooms – one in Chelan and the other in Woodinville – for wine, culinary, travel enthusiasts and members looking to experience their high-quality wines and impeccable service. Reserve a table today at www.rockypondwinery.com.

About Rocky Pond Estate Winery:
Rocky Pond Estate Winery was established in 2013 by David and Michelle Dufenhorst. The winery itself takes its name from the tumbled granite stones found on their estate vineyards located in one of the most awe-inspiring regions of the Columbia River Valley.

Regionally, Rocky Pond Estate Winery is making a name for itself as a high-quality Washington winery that is focused on producing Bordeaux and Rhone-style wines that showcase the truly unique terroir of their sustainably farmed riverside estate vineyards deeply rooted in the soils of the geographic wonder that is the Columbia River Valley.