Eve's Wine 101

Charles Heidsieck Champagne Takes to the Sea to Honor Its Founder’s Bicentennial

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SAINT-MALO, FRANCE (PRWEB) – Charles Heidsieck, one of Champagne’s most admired producers, has announced it is sending its newest releases to the US by sailboat. Featuring a cargo of a limited number of prestigious bottles, the historic journey celebrates the bicentennial of the House’s Founder, Charles-Camille Heidsieck, and will sail across the Atlantic to arrive in New York, following the journey that Charles himself took in 1852.

The sailboat launches from the port of Saint-Malo, Brittany, arriving in New York in time to celebrate Charles’ 200th birth date on June 17. The shipment has been entrusted to French sail company, Grain de Sail, for a transatlantic crossing on board its cargo sailboat – the first modern, regulated, merchant shipping cargo sailboat in the world – truly following in Charles’ footsteps, who made his own crossings by sea. The journey can be followed at Follow the journey on the Grain de Sail home page, https://graindesailwines.com/

For Charles Heidsieck’s Managing Director, Stephen Leroux, the partnership reflects the House’s tribute and commitment to the Founder’s sense of adventure, “Transport by sea is an integral part of our history: that is how Charles Heidsieck supplied the American market. We chose Grain de Sail as a partner because it is more than just a company, it is an adventure.

We share many key values, such as patience, a daring and entrepreneurial spirit, the world of sea, and respect for ancestral skills whilst cultivating innovation.”

Charles personally chose the US as his first market, back in 1852, as explained by Stephen Leroux, “To celebrate our 200 years of adventure, we are paying tribute to our Founder’s travels to the United States in our own way: taking our – slow – time, in a daring and entrepreneurial approach, and innovative spirit.”

For Jacques Barreau, co-founder and Executive Director at Grain de Sail, carrying the House’s legendary cargo perfectly befits their own sense of adventure, “An adventurous spirit is essential at Grain de Sail, as well as our environmental approach. I am sure that Charles Heidsieck himself would have been delighted with the partnership between our two companies, which gives special meaning to the exceptional products created by the House in tribute to its founder. It is a pleasure to be working together.”

The House has held a long connection to sailing, with several racing boats bearing the Charles Heidsieck name in global races in the 70s and 80s, including ‘Charles Heidsieck III’, especially designed for the most extraordinary international race. This great monohull sailed the Whitbread Round the World Race from August 1981 to March 1982.

The House is planning a long-term relationship with Grain de Sail, making one delivery a year via the North Atlantic, and taking on other routes as the partnership develops.

Leroux loves the idea that the shipment is not on a strict deadline to arrive to US shores, “For us, taking our time is a good thing. We leave our wines until they are fully matured, and we think that a slower pace allows you to appreciate things in life, and we really like the idea that our wines will get there when they get there.”

2022 marks 200 years since the birth of its Founder, Charles Heidsieck: a gentleman-entrepreneur with a taste for adventure, bold and pioneering. He would thoroughly and passionately pave the way of the champagne market in the mid-19th century by converting Americans to his own cuvées, earning him legendary status across the Atlantic, and the nickname “Champagne Charlie”.

The Charles Heidsieck portfolio is imported nationally by Folio Fine Wine Partners.

Champagne sales recover in 2021, with cautious optimism for 2022

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EPERNAY, France – The Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne today announced that total shipments of Champagne in 2021 rose to 322 million bottles in 2021, an increase of 32 percent over 2020. The market in France was up by 25 percent at nearly 142 million bottles, a return to 2019 levels. Exports continued to rise as well to a new record of 180 million bottles globally.

“This recovery is a welcome surprise for the people of Champagne after a troubled 2020 (with figures down by 18 percent), which was driven by the closure of main points of consumption such as bars and restaurants and the shortage of celebratory events across the world,” said Maxime Toubart, president of the Syndicat Général des Vignerons and co-president of the Comité Champagne.

With limited tourism and live events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, home consumption of Champagne appears to have increased. Consumers have chosen to entertain themselves at home, compensating for the generally gloomy mood with new moments of celebration and sharing.

Uncertainty about the duration of the pandemic led the wine trade to reduce stocks in 2020. However, in 2021 they reversed that trend, with the acceleration in consumer demand since April. Problems linked to logistics and transport disruptions also factored into the 2021 figures.

Jean-Marie Barillère, president of the Union des Maisons de Champagne and co-president of the Comité Champagne, said, “Thanks to exports and the consumer’s devotion to fine cuvees, Champagne will reach a record turnover of more than 5.5 billion Euros*.” However, he noted, “The average shipments in 2020-2021, at 280 million bottles and 4.9 billion Euros, remains under the pre-pandemic levels (300 million bottles, 5 billion Euros in 2019).”

Afflicted by the health crisis in 2020 and challenging climatic conditions in 2021, the Champagne region hopes 2022 will pave the way for a new cycle of growth.

*provisional figure to be confirmed

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The Champagne Bureau, USA, is the official U.S. representative of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne, a trade association which represents the grape growers and houses of Champagne, France. The Bureau works to educate American consumers about the uniqueness of the wines of Champagne and expand their understanding of the need to protect the Champagne name. For more information, visit us online at www.champagne.us.

Waterford Whisky Launches The Cuvée一Bordeaux-Inspired Single Malt

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Terroir-driven Irish whisky producer Waterford Distillery announces the launch of its definitive single malt一The Cuvée一in the United States. Inspired by Bordeaux’s greatest chateaux, Waterford Distillery has applied the same methodology to create the ultimate in whisky flavor complexity, a genuine innovation for the spirits industry, called The Cuvée. 25 totally unique Waterford Single Farm Origin Whiskies, drawn from distinct terroirs of Southern Ireland, have been married together to create the ultimate layered, profound and compelling tasting experience.

Photo: Forbes

Each Single Farm Origin—an individual Waterford Single Malt Whisky in its own right—is made exclusively from Irish-grown barley, harvested, malted and distilled separately for complete flavor integrity. While the distillery has reveled in such individuality, it is only when there is a fusion of individual terroirs that Waterford Whisky can fulfill its ambitions to create the ultimate single malt whisky. To create The Cuvée, Head Distiller Ned Gahan layered together 25 individually distilled Single Farm Origins, drawn from a combination of premium American and French oak barrels.

“Coming from a wine background I have always been intrigued by how the very greatest Bordeaux wines were made,” says Founder and CEO Mark Reynier. “Rather than generically bundling up their grapes into a single wine they went to the effort of making several individual wines instead, each one expressing a terroir-derived personality of its own. Only after months of maturation are these component wines assembled—each bringing its own flavor character—to make a single profound wine of greater complexity, the Grand Vin. Why not with whisky? This is the vision seven years in the making, the essence of the Waterford project. Here the whole is even more than simply the sum of its parts: the result is our vision of how to create the most complex and profound single malt possible.”

The Cuvée is a culmination of Waterford’s Single Farm Origin Whiskies, each one defined by its own Irish-grown barley, each one distinctly different—all of them Waterford single malts. Waterford Whisky takes flavor so seriously that it starts not just with selecting the right grain, but by prioritizing where that grain was grown and harvested in Ireland. Waterford uses only barley; which has been shown by scientists to contain nearly 100 major flavor compounds. Waterford partners with dozens of farmers to grow the barley for its whiskies. Each farm’s harvest is carefully monitored in the field and at the distillery, where it’s malted, mashed, fermented, distilled, and matured as a single product—no mingling with another farm’s harvest. Every stage of the process is optimized to bring out the natural characteristics of the grain. The distinct flavors in the new-make spirit, before it’s aged into whisky, show remarkable differences from farm to farm.

The resulting spirit has notes of red apples, bread crust, green foliage, lavender, digestive biscuits, oranges, fresh mint, coffee cake, with a distinctly oily, textured palate delivering grapefruit, lemon zest, dark chocolate, cherries, granola and marmalade with an extraordinary length of flavor.

The Cuvée’s aesthetic is a work of art in itself. To create a visual representation of the layers of complexity in the bottle, Waterford Distillery commissioned leading Irish visual artist Leah Hewson to design “Binary Assimilation” which is displayed proudly on Waterford’s flagship blue bottle. Hewson’s original artwork reflects the intricate nature of such a milestone product. ”Binary Assimilation celebrates the many layers and complexities of Waterford’s approach to whisky production.

The brand’s scientific and methodical approach reflects my own and this provided an inspiration to sync art, flavor and character into something visually striking,” says Leah Hewson. “By building the piece in layers through color, I was able to create new dimensional effects to match the concept of the Cuvée.” Two computer-generated images that are depicted in paint have been divided into strips and overlaid with opaque and transparent red and green stripes, and a neon squiggle in to create ’ambiguity and illusion.’

“This is no ordinary whisky—it is our lodestar, a key milestone on our terroir-driven journey—our raison d’etre,” adds Mark Reynier. “Its vision, evolution derived from unprecedented logistics, merits an equally outstanding label. One that shared the elemental construct, evoking vibrancy, a bold statement and a multi-layered feel.

A label unlike any other, for a whisky unlike any other.”

The Cuvée is bottled at 50% ABV with no chill-filtration, no coloring—a totally natural whisky. It is available for $95 nationwide at fine retail stores.

About Waterford Whisky
Waterford Whisky is on a quest to unearth whisky’s most natural flavors. Unashamedly influenced by the world’s greatest winemakers, Waterford brings the same intellectual drive, methodology and rigor to unearth the nuances that make Waterford Whisky the most profound single malt ever created. Across southern Ireland, warmed by the Gulf Stream, temperate, moist air crosses fertile soils to produce a verdant landscape and the world’s finest barley. Since barley is the source of malt whisky’s complex flavors, it makes abundant sense to focus on where and how the barley is cultivated. Those flavors are shaped by place, by the soils that nourish its roots, by the microclimate in which it ripens. By terroir. Waterford is a whisky of the world, born of Irish barley. For more information, please visit https://waterfordwhisky.com/

Piper-Heidsieck Unveils Its 50-Year-Old Vintage Champagne

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NAPA, CALIF. (PRWEB) –  Piper-Heidsieck, the revered Champagne House known worldwide for its red label, is excited to announce today the release of its first limited edition, Piper-Heidsieck HORS-SÉRIE 1971 Champagne, marking a new chapter in the House’s history.

Piper-Heidsieck’s commitment to excellence and innovation is at the heart of the creative vision of Chief Winemaker of the House, Émilien Boutillat. The HORS-SÉRIE collection is a way for Boutillat to express the creativity of the House by revisiting library wines and crafting unexpected gems.

Named Sparkling Winemaker of the Year 2021 by the International Wine Challenge, Émilien Boutillat is the youngest Chief Winemaker to lead Piper-Heidsieck, since taking over from the renowned Chef de Cave, Régis Camus, in October 2018. Émilien’s dynamic approach to winemaking has maintained the excellence and success of the House, enabled by his philosophy to balance tradition with trailblazing distinction.

The cuvée HORS-SÉRIE 1971 uncorks the past by creating a connection between Boutillat and the previous generation of Chief Winemakers: “Releasing it today with a fresh disgorgement is a tribute to the cellar masters who preceded me, those who blended it fifty years ago, but also to those who allowed the wine to continue its evolution so that it could be ready to be revealed today,” says Boutillat.

The idea came about while Boutillat and his team were tasting library wines: “We were astonished by the taste, the quality, and the freshness of the 1971 vintage.

Slowly aged for fifty years in our cellar, the wine was ready to be shared. The aromas were at their full potential, so we decided to disgorge the bottles and launch this one-of-a-kind Piper-Heidsieck Champagne HORS-SÉRIE 1971.”

Only 2021 numbered bottles of Piper-Heidsieck’s HORS-SÉRIE 1971 were produced: “I am particularly proud of this cuvée because it testifies to the excellence of Piper-Heidsieck wines through several generations of cellar masters. It is a true honor to elaborate the final dosage to magnify the potential of this 1971 cuvée. It is quite unexpected for a Champagne House to release such quantity of a 50-year-old vintage, and I am proud to be part of this launch for Piper-Heidsieck,” says Boutillat.

Piper-Heidsieck’s HORS-SÉRIE 1971 is imported by Folio Fine Wine Partners and is available for $499 per bottle.

For more information, please visit: http://www.Piper-Heidsieck.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. High-resolution press photos are available here.

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ABOUT Piper-Heidsieck
The most awarded Champagne House of the century*, Piper-Heidsieck is celebrated for its audacity and excellence. Steeped in history, Piper-Heidsieck was born out of a love story that began in 1785 with German-born founder, Florens-Louis Heidsieck, crafting a wine to seduce his lover. Today, Piper-Heidsieck prides itself on holding dual certification of Viticulture Durable en Champagne and Haute Valeur Environnementale**.

**Predecessor of Émilien Boutillat, Régis Camus awarded the title of “Sparkling Winemaker of the Year” eight times by the International Wine Challenge jury since the beginning of the century.
**VDC: Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne / HVE: High Environmental Value

New Wines for the Jewish New Year

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Bayonne, NJ – There’s little time to catch your breath between summer and the High Holiday season this year. With Labor Day and Rosh Hashana sharing the same date on the calendar, it’s not too soon to start thinking about festive meals, gatherings with loved ones, and other traditions that go hand-in-hand with the fall Jewish holidays.

Fortunately, we’ve had another exceptional year for kosher wine production. That means there’s an excellent selection of exciting releases to choose from – and one less thing to worry about. They’re ready to serve now, so whether you’re planning to host a crowd or be a guest, you’re sure to find something deliciously suitable for the holiday table.

Wine expert Gabriel Geller, Director of PR and Manager of Wine Education for Kedem/Royal Wine, has recommendations for wines that offer quality and value across all price points.
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Herzog Wine Cellars celebrates the new Jewish year with its first release of the Herzog Limited Edition Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2020 (MSRP: $60). This rich and complex white wine is the result of careful harvest planning and skillful winemaking, led by Head Winemaker Joe Hurliman. The 2020 harvest in California was marked by some of the worst wildfires the Golden State has ever known. However, thanks to Divine Providence the harvest for the Chalk Hill Chardonnay took place before the fires, and yielded fruit of the highest quality.

Geller is also enthusiastic about Herzog Special Reserve Méthode Champenoise Russian River NV (MSRP $60), Herzog’s first-ever high-end Champagne method sparkling wine, is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown in Sonoma’s Russian River area.

He also points to Château Malartic Lagravière Blanc 2019 (MSRP $100), the first kosher cuvée release by the Bordeaux estate. Malartic received elite Grand Cru Classé status for both its red and white wines in the 1959 Classification of Vins de Graves. Now owned by the Bonnie family, Malartic has produced several kosher cuvées of its red Grand Vin in collaboration with Royal Wine since 2003. Its sister property, Château Gazin Rocquencourt, started making kosher runs in 2015.

Another exciting release is Razi’el Syrah-Carignan 2018 (MSRP $65), says Geller. Razi’el wines scored 97 points by acclaimed wine critic James Suckling – the highest rating ever for Israeli wines. Meanwhile, Europe’s first fully kosher winery, Terra di Seta in Italy, received an unprecedented 97 points and a platinum medal from Decanter magazine for the Terra di Seta Chianti Classico Riserva 2016 (MSRP $35).

While many of this year’s newcomers are produced by classic, old-world methods, some intriguing surprises are in the mix. They include Nana Estate wines (MSRP $30-$50), grown and produced in Israel’s scorching, nutrient-poor Negev Desert. Nana earned widespread buzz even before their wines were available in the U.
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S.; with their innovative viticulture techniques, they’ve not only beaten the odds, but they’ve crafted a collection of distinctive and popular kosher wines.

Baron Herzog, the entry-level line of value wines from Herzog Wine Cellars retailing between $10-13, are now available with fresh, new labels. Baron Herzog wines were first launched in 1986, following the winery’s establishment in California in 1985. The elegant and classy packaging further emphasizes the care and attention the Herzog family crafts each and every wine they produce from top to bottom.  The Baron Herzog line includes an award-winning Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, a Rosé, White Zinfandel, Pinot Grigio, Old Vines Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a red blend called Aleph. Several of the wines are grown in the Herzog’s estate Prince Vineyard in Clarksburg CA, as well as from Paso Robles AVA.

Then there’s Bartenura Froscato cocktail pops (MSRP $25 per package of 12). Bartenura is no stranger to bending the rules. After introducing the wildly popular Moscato in blue cans last year, the Italian kosher producer has now released refreshing Moscato frozen wine cocktail pops. Perfect for the warmer high holiday season. 

About Royal Wine/Kedem

Founded in 1848, Royal Wine Corp. is owned and operated in the United States by the Herzog family, whose winemaking roots go back eight generations to its origin in Czechoslovakia.

Today, Royal Wine’s portfolio of domestic and international wines range from traditional wine producing regions of France, Italy and Spain, as well as Israel, New Zealand and Argentina.

Additionally, Royal Wine Corp.’s spirit and liqueur portfolio offers some of the most sought-after scotches, bourbons, tequilas and vodkas as well as hard to find specialty items such as flavored brandies and liqueurs.

The company owns and operates the Kedem Winery in upstate New York, as well as Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, California, a state-of-the-art-facility featuring guided wine tours, a fully staffed modern tasting room, gift shop and catering facilities. Additionally, the winery houses the award-winning restaurant Tierra Sur, serving the finest, Mediterranean-inspired, contemporary Californian Cuisine. Follow Royal Wine Corp at @royalwinecorp and on FB https://www.facebook.com/RoyalWineCorp

Sokol Blosser Winery Marks 50 Years as a Family-Owned Willamette Valley Original – with a flash sale + more!

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DUNDEE HILLS, Ore. /PRNewswire/ — Sokol Blosser Winery, founded in 1971 by Bill and Susan Sokol Blosser and now under second-generation leadership, will mark 50 years of growing and making signature Willamette Valley wines in 2021 with a year-long celebration.

As part of the celebration, Sokol Blosser will revisit its first vintage with a 1970s Flash Sale on Tue., Feb. 2. For one day only, its 2018 Redland Estate Cuvée Pinot Noir will be available on its website for $6.75 per 750 ml bottle – the very same price of the winery’s first vintage of Pinot Noir in 1977. (Limit of 12 bottles per person, while supplies last).

“This is a major milestone for us,” said Alison Sokol Blosser, CEO of Sokol Blosser Winery. “We are one of the few founding wineries in the Willamette Valley that has not only remained family-owned and operated, but has continued to grow. My brother Alex and I learned the business from working alongside our parents, and we’re so grateful for the strength and wisdom that’s enabled us to not just survive but thrive for 50 years. We’re excited to celebrate all year long with our customers, trade and industry partners!”

On top of its 1970s Flash Sale, Sokol Blosser will mark the occasion with a series of special bottlings, tasting room activities (when it’s safe) and wine club offerings including:

  • Exclusive anniversary bottling of 2018 Old Vineyard Block Dundee Hills Pinot Noir with a retro label that evokes the brand’s original 1970’s label design and shape (SRP $60; available direct from the winery only).
  • A special Instagram and Facebook Live tasting with wine expert Leslie Sbrocco on Feb. 10 featuring Susan Sokol Blosser and Alison Sokol Blosser.
  • Fireside chats and online tastings (via Zoom) with Bill and Susan Sokol Blosser for media, trade and consumers.
  • When the tasting room reopens, guests will step back to the 70s with 50th
    Anniversary flights featuring family favorites and library wines, a 1970s Spotify playlist (free to download!) with a groovy soundtrack, and special surprises for guests who arrive in ’70s cars or are celebrating 50th milestones of their own.

“It’s a privilege to farm these vineyards and create wines that reflect the exact hillsides where our parents started 50 years ago,” said head winemaker Alex Sokol Blosser. “Our wines have improved year after year, and it’s a testament to our parents’ original belief that the Dundee Hills and Willamette Valley would indeed be a fine place to grow grapes and make wine.”

A Half Century of Accomplishments
In December 1970, Bill and Susan Sokol Blosser purchased five acres of land in the Dundee Hills (a former prune orchard), and soon thereafter planted it to Pinot Noir and other varietals. By 1980, the Sokol Blossers had expanded their holdings to 72 acres and today the winery farms 105 acres of estate vineyards under vine. Over its 50 years, Sokol Blosser has made history with a number of accomplishments:

  • Sokol Blosser opened the first purpose-built winery tasting room in Oregon in 1978.
  • Sokol Blosser was first recognized for its environmental stewardship in 1983 by the U.S. Soil & Water Conservation District.
  • Evolution Lucky No. 9 White Blend was introduced in 1998, paving the way for a whole new category of white blends in the marketplace.
  • Sokol Blosser was the first winery in the world to have a LEED-certified winery building in 2002 for its underground barrel cellar.
  • Sokol Blosser’s Estate Vineyard received full USDA organic certification in 2005.
  • The second generation took the reins in 2008 as co-presidents. Today, Alison Sokol Blosser is CEO and Alex Sokol Blosser is Winemaker.
  • In 2013, Sokol Blosser opened a stunning new tasting room designed by Brad Cloepfil from Allied Works Architecture which raised the bar for hospitality and wine country experiences in the Willamette Valley.
  • In 2015, the winery received coveted B Corp Certification for its high standards of social and environmental performance and accountability.
  • Sokol Blosser introduced Oregon’s only nationally distributed box wines in 2020, with Evolution Pinot Noir and Lucky No. 9 White now available in 1.5- liter boxes.

About Sokol Blosser Winery As one of the pioneering wineries of the region, Sokol Blosser has played a key role in developing and shaping the now-prominent Oregon wine industry. The winery remains family owned and operated, with the second generation now at the helm: siblings Alison and Alex Sokol Blosser. Achieving B Corp certification in 2015, the winery creates wines of world-class quality, produced in a sustainable manner, reflecting the distinctive flavors of the grapes, soil and climate. The winery produces Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, sparkling wines, Riesling and small quantities of single block Pinot Noir under its Sokol Blosser brand, and a white wine, red blend, Pinot Noir, sparkling wine, Riesling, and Chardonnay and Oregon’s first nationally distributed box wines under Evolution label. Visit http://www.sokolblosser.com/ and follow @sokolblosser and @evolutionwines on Instagram and Facebook.

Gelson’s to Debut Four New Stellar Wine Offerings by Julien Fayard

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ENCINO, Calif./PRNewswire/ — With the Holidays around the corner, Gelson’s is uncorking four new bottlings in its exclusive branded collection of Gelson’s Wines, all produced through its ongoing collaboration with one of their winemakers, Julien Fayard who was named 2016 “Winemaker of the Year” by Wine Spectrum. The four stellar wines will be available at all 27 Gelson’s locations across the Southland.

Photo credit: Jimmy Hayes, Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

“We feel very honored to work with Julien again. He is a renowned wine maker with an outstanding reputation from his early work with Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Lafitte in his native France, to the last dozen years earning respect across Napa Valley,” said John Bagan, Chief Merchandising Officer for Gelson’s.   “We are constantly seeking out the best products from the best producers, and are excited that Gelson’s will continue to make superior quality wines from Julien available exclusively to thousands of our wine-loving Customers across Southern California.
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”

The new wines include:

  • Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville 2018

Created exclusively for Gelson’s by Julien Fayard, this splendid single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon boasts classic Bordeaux style.  It is traditionally fermented (temperature-controlled in a stainless-steel tank) and aged for 22 months in new French oak barrels. Dark ruby in color, the wine is full-bodied and complex. Enticing aromas of ripe blueberry and blackberry lead to a robust blackberry palate with hints of cedar and spices balanced by silky tannins.
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The finish is long, smooth, and delicious.

  • Reserve Cabernet Franc Oakville 2018

The grapes in this impressive single-vineyard Cabernet Franc are traditionally fermented (temperature-controlled in a stainless-steel tank) and aged for 22 months in new French oak barrels, yielding a vibrant ruby color and tempting aromas of ripe cherry and spices. In addition to plush flavors of blueberry, blackberry, sweet red cherry, and cedar, the elegantly layered palate offers full body, silky tannins, and satisfying depth.

  • Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Rutherford 2019

The grapes in this Sauvignon Blanc are whole-cluster pressed and aged in stainless-steel barrels, resulting in a wine that’s light blonde in color, boasting creamy texture and an amazing mouthfeel with brisk acidity. Accents of pear and apricot flavors flow into a refreshing, refined finish.

  • Red Cuvée Napa Valley 2018

This delectable Red Cuvée, expertly blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah for a wine of bold yet measured character. The grapes are traditionally fermented (temperature-controlled in a stainless-steel tank) and aged for 22 months in French oak barrels. Pleasing aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry, and subtle flint accompany a richly textured, full-bodied palate with silky tannins. Dark fruit and earthy notes define the exquisite taste.

Gelson’s debuted its first branded collection of fine wines three years ago with four Santa Barbara reds (Pinot Noir, Grenache, Syrah, Sangiovese) and one white (Chardonnay), created exclusively for Gelson’s by local winemaker and Wine Spectator Grand Award winner Doug Margerum.

About Gelson’s

Gelson’s currently operates 27 full-service specialty grocery stores in Southern California. Each Gelson’s Market features the full amenities of a traditional supermarket, with the local flavor of a neighborhood market. Their high standards – for quality, value and freshness; unsurpassed service; and attention to detail – define the ultimate grocery shopping experience. With over 65 years’ experience, Gelson’s in-house experts know Southern California’s lifestyle and are driven to find only the best foods and exclusive values for their customers. Gelson’s is particularly known for flavorful, hand-selected produce, the best and freshest cuts of meat and seafood, and Chef-prepared signature recipes. This experience is rounded out by professionally designed floral arrangements, and a convenient selection of the highest quality grocery items. Find out why Life Tastes Better Here® at https://gelsons.com.

Blanc de Blancs and Henriot Champagne “Meditation” Tasting

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Dressing in all white, as suggested by the event planners, is always special – when attending a wine tasting. I think I did it once before. Honestly, anytime I see someone wearing white to a wine event I think, whoa, there’s some confidence there. Not only are they sure of not spilling themselves, they’re (overly) confident others will reach the spittoon 100% of the time.

Our teaser: Join LA’s first ‘All White Wine’ showcase featuring some of the greatest white wines ever made! 

Besides all that delectable white wine the event also included several educational sessions, five in all, that we could step in on if space allowed. I was headed for the “Medi-Tasting – Meditation on champagne sponsored by Henriot” while others included: Champagne Session hosted by Master Sommelier Christopher Miller, Chardonnay Challenge hosted by Master Sommelier Nick Hetzel, Autres Blancs hosted by Master Sommelier Christopher Miller and Winemakers Panel sponsored by Jackson Family Wines. 

We started with a delightful lunch that was sponsored by the Jackson Family Estates…and then got into the wines: 

Tasting

These are all of the wineries at press time and I have bolded those that I was able to taste and particular vintages I enjoyed. See my photos to see more of them as well: Dom Perignon, Ruinart (NV Blanc de Blancs), Moet & Chandon (2009 vintage), La Crema, Cambria Estate (2018 Viognier, Tepusquet Vineyard), Brewer-Clifton (all Chards Greg Brewer poured, especially the 2018 Diatom Bar M), Seabold Cellars (2017 Dry Riesling and 2017 Olson Chardonnay), Copain Wines, Champagne Henriot, Bouchard Pere et Fils, William Fevre, Stonestreet (2016 Alexander Valley Chardonnay) , Matanzas Creek (2016 Knights Valley Sauvignon Blanc), Bernardus (2016 Chardonnay and 2012 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc), Mail Road Wines (2014 Chardonnay), Cloudy Bay, Newton Vineyard, LAW Estate (2015, 16 and 17 “Soph” white Rhone blend), J.J. Vincent, Cuvaison, Pol Roger, Domaine Faiveley, Famille Vincent, Pascal Jolivet (2017 Sancerre “Sauvage”), Famille Hugel, Olivier Leflaive, Hecht & Bannier, Long Meadow Ranch, Stony Hill, Domaine Schlumberger, Famille Perrin, Miraval Provence, Chateau De Beaucastel, La Vielle Ferme, Domaine & Maison Alexandrins, Schloss Lieser, Reichsrat Von Buhl, Weingut Pfeffingen (2017 Estate Scheurebe), Weingut Okonomierat Rebholz (2014 Riesling), Schafer-Frohlich, Hans Wirsching (2016 Silvaner) and Becker Estate.

Medi-Tasting

See below for the details from the organizers, my takeaways from the session included looking at the wine as a beginner would to get a fresh outlook: listen to it – you will hear the ocean the wine may have traveled over before it arrived to you, put your finger in it, think about all that went on from planting to delivery and honor it. We practiced a bit of meditation as well, and noted how our frame of mind and stressors can add to or take away from our enjoyment. When we got down to tasting we already knew they would all be remarkable wines from Champagne Henriot – NV Blanc de Blancs, 2008 Brut Millesime (released a year ago, 100% Grand Cru) and 2005 Cuvee Hemera that I meditated the longest over as I found it so delicious.

Blanc de Blancs Medi-Tasting (Abbreviated From WineLA.com)

Medi-Tasting is a new, exciting and engaging wine tasting experience, created by Champagne Henriot, including practices of mindfulness to elevate the art of tasting…Elisha Goldstein, PhD, is co-founder of The Center for Mindful Living in West Los Angeles and creator of the 6-month coaching and mentorship program, A Course in Mindful Living. A psychologist, and international speaker and mindfulness educator, his books include Uncovering Happiness and The Now Effect…

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.

Meeting with Winemaker Zak Miller, and All Things Domaine Carneros

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Love invites to wine and dine with winemakers, and this one was right up there with the best:

Hi Eve, 

A day trip to Napa and a leap of faith led Zak Miller, winemaker at Domaine Carneros, on a journey from field research in forestry science to the vineyards of California, Chile and New Zealand to learn all he could about winemaking. And another leap, joining Domaine Carneros over a decade ago, saw his deep respect and fascination for the Pinot Noir grape blossom into a surprising love affair with chardonnay working alongside Eileen Crane, Founding Winemaker and “America’s Doyenne of Sparkling Wine.” As winemaker at Domaine Carneros, Zak oversees the day to day operations of sparkling winemaking. 

On behalf of Zak…we’d like to extend an invitation to join him for an intimate dinner of award-winning, estate Carneros sparkling and still wines…at Avra Beverly Hills.

Winemaker Zak Miller

The Meeting

Tucked in the back of the swanky Avra Beverly Hills restaurant, Zak Miller sat alone at a table for five waiting for four ladies of the pen, the wine pen, to arrive. Though the restaurant was a bit high-status, along with Miller’s pedigree, Miller was not. Affable, friendly and open from the moment he stood to say hello to the end of our time together, roughly two hours, I came away armed with plenty of info to share from our “bubbly” time together.

(If you just want to see more photos, go here.)

I had received a large file of past and current press releases from the winery and I have abbreviated some of that below. Before that I will share what we talked about and my notes on both the still and sparkling wines we sampled. This is what I learned from Miller firsthand, we absorbed more (in more ways than one – lol) during the tasting:

  • This is Miller’s 12th harvest with Domaine Carneros. He had experience winemaking for Saintsbury in Napa, as well as wineries in New Zealand and Chile.
  • The winery is striving to be 100% Estate Vineyards, they currently have 400 acres. They have long relationships with growers in Carneros for some of their fruit.
  • It takes roughly 10 years from harvest to release for each vintage.
  • The “Chateau” in Carneros is a replica of Champagne Taittinger official residence, the Chateau de la Marquetterie. Taittinger founded Domaine Carneros in 1987.
  • They use up to 13 Chardonnay clones in the sparkling wines.

The Tasting

2012 Le Reve Blanc de Blancs

2012 was a big harvest according to Miller. The bottle, the only one with embossing and a different all over shape, will be hard to find except in fine restaurants. A little over $100 a bottle and made with 100% estate grown Chardonnay. I got aromas of crisp yellow delicious apple, Brie cheese, rye toast and a mild salinity. In the mouth I got that same bright apple, pear, pink grapefruit and plenty of citrus. $115 a bottle.

2015 Brut Cuvee

This wine – 51% Chardonnay, 47% Pinot Noir and 2% Pinot Gris – spent 36 months in barrel. Notes of white peach, cream, white pepper and green grass on the nose with fresh fruit cocktail and hard red apple candy on the palate. $36 a bottle.

2016 Estate Pinot Noir

They make about 12 thousand bottles of Pinot Noir per year. This vintage used 15 of their 16 Pinot Noir clones, all estate. Loved the aroma of black cherry, stems and must as well as the flavor of both red and dark cherry, black currant and toasted oak. Well balanced fruit and tannin. After twenty minutes the wine further improved and showed more of that dark fruit I liked. Nicely done for only about $30 a bottle for a Napa Pinot.

Cuvee de la Pompadour

This blend of 59% Pinot Noir and 41% Chardonnay had only been macerated with the skins on for a few days before draining off. Miller wanted the color but not the tannins from the Pinot. He felt that a heavy Pinot influence makes the sparkling “bastardized.” Yellow cling peaches, raspberries, golden raisins and a hint of flint greeted me on the nose, followed by raspberry, red cherry and just a tad of cheddar. $42 a bottle.

From Domaine Carneros (Abbreviated)

Some history: Founded in the Carneros appellation of Northern California by the Champagne Taittinger family, Domaine Carneros is a small grower producer of ultra-premium Carneros Sparkling wines and limited production Pinot Noirs. Thirty years after the winery’s inaugural harvest, Domaine Carneros has become the benchmark for California Sparkling wine, reflecting both the individuality of the Carneros’ terroir and the craftsmanship of its French legacy.

The Chateau: Completed in 1989, the 18th century château-style building was architecturally inspired by the historic Château de la Marquetterie owned by Champagne Taittinger in the Champagne region of France. Situated atop a knoll and overlooking endless rolling vineyards, the elegant property is an iconic Northern California landmark. The château houses the winery’s facilities as well as beautiful salons for visitors and wine club members.

The summer of 2018 marks the completion of the highly-anticipated and beautifully-designed Jardin d’Hiver – a conservatory-style addition to the north terrace of the renowned Domaine Carneros château, which will allow guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of Carneros and surrounding vineyards while being shielded from the weather.

Winemaker Zak Miller: It was his first harvest in Napa Valley at Saintsbury Vineyards that gave him a deep respect and fascination for the ever challenging Pinot Noir grape. Eager to continue learning, he traveled to New Zealand and Chile to hone his craft. Returning to northern California wine country in 2008, Miller joined Domaine Carneros with the goal of continuing to evolve his skill with pinot noir working closely with TJ Evans and his still wine program at the chateau. Or so he thought.

Working alongside Founding Winemaker, Eileen Crane, opened to Miller a new realm of possibility in winemaking – sparkling wines – and he hasn’t looked back since. Through Crane and the Domaine Carneros team, he developed a deep appreciation for the versatility of both pinot noir and chardonnay in sparkling winemaking and the great skill required to craft beautifully balanced, elegant yet complex wines. And through his work as a sparkling winemaker, he grew to love a variety he admittedly didn’t gravitate toward originally – chardonnay – which provides the base for what he feels is its finest expression (and a personal favorite), Blanc de Blancs.

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.

Finger Lakes Winery Earns Top 100

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DUNDEE, N.Y., RNewswire – In November 2018, the Missick family will mark its seventh anniversary of ownership of Villa Bellangelo, and there is much to celebrate.

In an impressive run, Bellangelo earned a spot as a producer of one of Wine & Spirits Magazine’s Top 100 Wines in the World for 2018, and has had a series of wines in Wine & Spirits Magazine’s “Best Of,” category.  Bellangelo’s Top 100 honor was its 2015 Berry Select Riesling (with a score of 94).  Noted wine writer Jamie Goode, author of Wine Science, recently commented on this wine’s “amazing harmony and depth.”  Other “Best Of” notations in 2018 belong to its 2015 Gibson Vineyard Riesling (91), 2015 Reserve Chardonnay (91), and a listing as one of America’s Best Sparkling Wines with a nod in the Best Buy category for its Sparkling Cuvée.

Riesling at Villa Bellangelo, photo from their website.

When the Missick family moved from California to the Finger Lakes, it focused immediately on crafting authentic, delicious expressions of wines grown on the west side of Seneca Lake.  With a “sense of place,” the varietal focus revolved around Riesling, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc.  “The beauty of Riesling, is that it has an ability to express its terroir in a way few varietals can,” according to winemaker, Christopher Missick; adding “and in the Finger Lakes, we can tease out those expressions in a way no other region in the United States can.  This is a cool climate that has a growing season of extended beautiful warmth, and I feel we are exploring what is viable on the frontier of American viticulture.”

Bellangelo currently offers a dozen different Rieslings in its tasting rooms.  “Riesling is the winemaker’s dream varietal: there are a hundred permutations on what is possible when we stand in the vineyard in late August,” Chris Missick stated.  Missick added that he is particularly proud to see the Finger Lakes continually represented as one of the world’s great wine regions by wine periodicals such as Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, Food & Wine, The International Wine Review, and online reviewers such as James Suckling, Vinous and others.

Having established a great reputation for Rieslings, Bellangelo is particularly proud of its recognition for work in sparkling wines and Chardonnay.  Bellangelo began producing sparkling wine in 2014, including its Brut and Sparkling Merlot Rosé.  This fall will see the release of its sparkling Gewurztraminer.

Bellangelo is a family owned winery with an historical past dating to 1866 and located on the West side of Seneca Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes AVA.  The Missick family operates an additional tasting room in Geneva, NY, and produces the brand Can Do, a line of ready to drink delicious canned wines that includes Moscato, Rosé, Riesling and Chardonnay.  The brands are currently represented by Wright Beverage Distributing, MHW Distribution, and BevStrat.  Bellangelo’s winemaker, Chris Missick, is proud to be the only full-time winemaker in the world that is also admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States.