Hard pressed to resist Beaujolais Nouveau

Upcoming events, Wine Reviews, , , ,

As if it were Halloween, I spent last night “trick or treating” in a sense. Instead of candy, however, I received sips of newly-released Beaujolais wines. My trail began on rue Cler, and from there I took the Metro into the 3rd arrondisement of La Marais, and back again to rue Cler in the 7th, where wine shops welcomed passersby to come in and taste the 2014 grapes harvested in France. Fortunately, 2014 has proved to be a great vintage, especially when you factor in the warm September in the vineyards.

In the most southern wine growing region in Burgundy, France, there’s an outlier region called Beaujolais, where the wine is quite different in regard to production and climate. In fact, Beaujolais is referred to as its own appellation that produces light, dry gamay grapes, which are a cross between a pinot noir and the ancient white gouais grape.

What most people know Beaujolais for is its one-third production of Beaujolais Nouveau, revealed recently in Paris, France, and in the U.S. by next week. About 35 million bottles of this Beaujolais Nouveau are shipped worldwide and within two months of harvest, thanks to carbonic maceration – the Nouveau style of production. The catch to buying a bottle is:

1) It should be consumed immediately — within a month, preferably

2) It will not have a high tannin structure or acidity, but will be fruity in both aroma and taste – tart cranberry overtones makes it a perfect pairing for Thanksgiving coffee-table talk.

Also, you should know that Beaujolais-Villages is not the same thing as Nouveau, but it is made from the remaining production to produce a darker, richer and more full-bodied wine – and can be stored longer than Nouveau.

Beaujolais Nouveau pairs well with Thanksgiving dinner – turkey and cranberry sauce, or even salmon, trout, pork chops or charcuterie. Just remember, it’s a new wine, so it’s pretty fruity and straightforward grape.

Get a few bottles while you can, and enjoy! Click here for an interesting take on Japan’s welcoming of the new harvest, and here to get a bit of Beaujolais Nouveau’s history in marketing and the person most responsible for putting Beajolais Nouveau Day on the calendar.

Wine Tasting at O’Chateau

Event coverage, Wine Destinations, Wine Reviews, , ,

As the second part of a VIP Louvre Museum Night Tour and Wine Tasting offered by City Wonders, Paris has become even more interesting when a small group walked from an educational and highly interesting 2.5-hour tour within the Louvre to take a seat at the long wooden table within the historic stoned basement of O’Chateau. The history of O’Chateau is one filled with stories of its guests — dukes, ambassadors, princesses, countesses and all variety of important thinkers and writers of the time. Tonight, however, we are all VIP’s enjoying three wines and a plate of cheeses and hams while we learn about a few wines of France.

The first wine, an elegant Saumur 2012 cuvee vent du nord, was explained by the wine instructor, and the group listened intently about the regions within France from where each wine hailed. This chenin blanc grape was fruity and fresh, medium bodied and average. But, with the cheeses and jambon to which it was paired, worked perfectly.

O'Chateau wine tasting
O’Chateau wine tasting with City Wonders tour.

Next, a lesson in Beaujolais, France. This Corcelette Morgon 2013 is a wine made with a grape of the southern wine growing region in Burgundy and is referred to as its own appellation and not in the same category of Burgundian wines. It is light and dry, and we we are instructed to swirl and gaze at the ruby color of this gamay grape. We are enthralled in the process of tasting wine and devouring the cheeses and hams before us.

Finally, the malbec is poured. This is a 2012 Combel La Serre Cuvee Originelle Cahors from SW France. The instructor indicates its spiciness and bit of tobacco kick in the teeth. This is a wine that sells for around $10, and pairs best with beef and spicy food, mature and hard cheeses, as well as poultry. If you can find a 2010, this would be the better vintage.

So, the tasting was short and sweet, er… dry, actually if you refer to the wines, and after the closing of the tour, many in the group head upstairs to order a bottle of wine and food from the menu. At 10 p.m., the night has only just begun in Paris.

Visit http://www.citywonders.com/en/france/paris/paris-tours/louvre-tour-night-paris-wine-tasting to reserve your spot for a Skip the Line tour through City Wonders.

Ionian Jewel Tours to present ‘Umbria, Le March and Rome’ for March 2015

Announcement, Wine Destinations, , , , , , , , ,

I’ve known the woman who runs these tours for a few years now, and Ionian Jewel Tours founder and president, Nancy Ursino Howard, is amazingly well-versed in all things Italy. So, I’m hoping to catch up with her and participate in the “Umbria, Le March & Rome Tour,” March 13-23, 2015.

Music, wine, food and fun will be all that surrounds from the time you land in Rome to start the tour. From Rome, the plan is to head to Assisi for a stay at Castello Di Petrata, where a relaxing day will lead to a fabulous dinner with wines of the region. On March 15, the day will be spent exploring the historic sites of Assisi: Basilica di San Francesco, Cathedral of Santa Chiara, Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, and possibly The Church of San Damiano.

The culinary delight in this day will be either a rustic Umbrian lunch or dinner at La Stalla (The Stable) will showcase the cooking method of La Brace (hot coals) to create a rich smoky flavor. Another day will lead to the Etruscan town of Perugia, home to Perugina Chocolate. Within this historic center, there will be much time to savor the sights, shop and dine before heading to Cantina Chiorri for a wine tasting. The grape of Grechetto has Greek origins and was planted throughout central Italy, particularly in the Umbrian region.

Next stop: the town of Monteprandone in the Le Marche region, where the tour group will check in at Hotel/Agriturismo Il Sapore della Luna before heading out to explore the organic vineyard. The days to follow will include wine tastings, a visit to Ascoli Piceno, and possibly a visit to the Adriatic coast before heading to Rome. The Hotel Tiber at Fiumicino awaits, and once checked in, there will be tours of Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, home to the Pope and decorated by the talents of Michelangelo and Botticelli. A walking tour guide will meet the group to continue touring historic landmarks such as the Spanish Steps, Fountain of Trevi, Roman Forum, Colosseum and Pantheon. Time on your own is in order to do some shopping or enjoy an espresso at a nearby cafe — or better yet, a gelato.

So, if you’ve always dreamed of visiting Italy and want to do it in style and avoid trying to figure it all out on your own, you’ll want to join the March 13 Ionion Jewel Tours excursion so that you can relax and enjoy every moment, knowing you’re taken care of by an expert.

So, by now you’re wondering how much? The cost for this tour (space IS limited) is $3,499.00, and includes airfare from Boston, two meals a day, the minibus/private driver/transfers, all excursions/hotels/double-occupancy accommodations, and wine, of course . What it doesn’t include is anything you do outside of the itinerary, such as wining and dining, or enjoying that gelato during your own exploration time. You will also be responsible for museum tickets and driver gratuities.

Ready to go? Email ionianjewel@gmail.com. Wanna learn more? Read the blog: www.ionianjewel.blogspot.com or follow Ionian Jewel Tours on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/IonianJewelTours

See you in Rome!

Sips and castles of Loire Valley, France

Wine Destinations, Wine Reviews, , , , , ,

In a land southwest of Paris, you can discover over 1,000 castles — in Loire Valley, France. On a City Wonders Tour, you’ll also discover the history of France that leads to the Loire Valley and the river that proved difficult for enemies to navigate, hence the place where the King of France lived during wars. The Loire Valley is also known for producing some of the best cabernet franc grapes, as well as 80 types of goat cheese.

Two hours of a history-lectured bus tour led us to the first tour stop: Chambord, which was the inspiration for Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” The palace was built by King Francis I, styled in comparison to what he loved in Milan, Italy. It was built as a mere hunting lodge in the forest of Chambord. Today, the forest is a national reserve – the same as it was in the 16th century, except there’s a wall that closes the forest. Within the castle walls of this former hunting lodge, where today you can rent out the space for $150,000 a day, there are more than 300 rooms, 200 fireplaces and 80 staircases.

The City Wonders Tour includes lunch and a wine tasting at Chateau de Nitray. We are served the food of peasants: roasted chicken, potatoes, tomatoes, cheeses, salad and apple dessert, all accompanied with a wine tasting and tour of the castle grounds and rudimentary, barrel-less wine cellar. Chateau de Nitray’s vineyards have been around for 28 years, where six varietals of grapes include sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and chenin blanc as popular whites, and cabernet franc as the known red. The sauvignon blanc is sweeter than anything I’ve ever tasted, with citrus, melon, peach notes that lead to a tart finish. It does have great structure. The rose is made with cabernet franc; they utilize the red skins for about 10 hours to get that beautiful rose color.

Chateau de Chenonceau proves to be the most elegant of our stops. Home to the six ladies: Catherine D. Medici (Henri II’s mistress, then wife after she ‘removed’ Diana), Diana Poitiers (the castle was dedicated to Diana by husband King Henri II), Louise of Lorraine (Henri III’s wife), Louise Dupin (artist who saved the chateau during the Revolution), Marguerite Pelouze (transformed the castle to a luxury estate) and Simone Menier (of chocolate fortune and who nursed the wounded during World War II). The interior will leave you in awe, but my goal was to check out the cellar — the wine cellar, where a tasting bar lures a crowd for sips of three wines. This is also where you can buy some bottles to take home. My advice, however, is to avoid the three-pack. Choose your personal favorites, such as the cabernet franc.

Visit http://www.citywonders.com/en/france/paris/paris-tours to view the list of tours offered from Paris.

Champagne Day: Friday, Oct. 24

Upcoming events

The fifth annual #ChampagneDay is a yearly social media event made possible by all Champagne drinkers around the world. It is the time of year to raise a flute to the quintessential wine of celebration, good cheer and toasts everywhere: Champagne. And remember, there are great sparkling wines from around the world, but Champagne only comes from Champagne, France.

The 2014 #ChampagneDay is set for Friday, October 24. All you need to participate is a glass of Champagne on October 24, 2014. Share your photos, tasting notes, experiences and videos on any social media site, and be sure to add the #ChampagneDay hash tag so your friends from around the globe can share in the fun.

This year, for the first time, show your #ChampagneDay support via Facebook and Twitter with Thunderclap! And visit www.champagneis.com to send an eCard to friends and family.

Join in on global #ChampagneDay tasting with friends from around the globe!

Date and time:

Friday, October 24, 2014. This is a 24-hour event so that everybody everywhere can participate.

Vive Le Champagne!

Other Hosts

Binny’s Beverage Depot

1720 N. Marcey St.
Chicago, IL 60614

Celebrate National Champagne Day with your favorite Champagne, Champagne Henriot. Meet Cellarmaster and Director of Vines and Wines, Laurent Fresnet who was born and raised in Reims, the heart of the Champagne region in France. As the descendant of several generations of wine growers in the Montagne de Reims area, he knew from an early age he was destined to work in Champagne. Taste through the outstanding range of wines from Champagne Henriot with Laurent in this Open House event.

Reservations Required
RSVP requested – Call 312-664-4394 today.

Sofitel Brisbane

249 Turbot Street
Brisbane QLD 4000

As part of Sofitel Wine Days we invite you to celebrate Global Champagne Day at Privé249 on Friday 24th October for a night of delights by Chef de Cuisine Josh Okorn and Craig Haworth of House of G.H. Mumm.

Five courses of delicate and imaginative dishes will be paired with exquisite Champagnes for a night of true opulence and pleasure.

Please click here to view the full menu.

For more information or to book please call (07) 3835 3535

The Winery

285A Crown St.
Surry Hills NSW 2010

The Winery in Surry Hills is scheduled to open on Champagne Day, October 24!

67 Wine & Spirits

179 Columbus Ave
New York, NY 10023

67 Wine will be “pouring on #Champagne Day with Geofroy of AvanteGuard from 4-7pm.”

Marcel’s

2401 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20037

Marcel’s will be featuring a special Champagne menu and flights. Additional details forthcoming.

Muselet Restaurant & Wine Bar

Jacobsen Salt Co. 602 SE Salmon St
Portland, Oregon

Hors d’oeuvres and six courses, each paired with Champagne.
Four producers of Récemment Dégorgé (prestige) ‘grower’ Champagnes from France will be in attendance and seated among guests:
Rodolphe Péters, Champagne Pierre Peters
Arnaud Margaine, Champagne A. Margaine
Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy, Champagne Rene Geoffroy
Laetitia Billiot, Champagne H. Billiot Fils.

$150 per person, including wine pairings, excluding gratuity. Limited seating.

The Wine Sellar

9550 Waples Street, Suite 115
San Diego, California 92121

True Champagne comes from Champagne France and is made in the traditional method. We will be celebrating this fantastic day the right way! With some genuine Champagne!

Eddie V’s

4400 W Boy Scout Blvd
Tampa, FL 33607

Champagne & Jazz featuring Jazz vocalist Theo Valentin:
Celebrating Champagne Day 2014 one day early on October 23 in Tampa Bay.
Raffle proceeds and donations to benefit Moffitt Cancer Center for Breast Cancer Research and to support Breast Cancer Awareness Fight For A Cure.

Spark the Hague

Zeestraat 35
2518 AA The Hague, Netherlands

Hosted on the 24th of October by G-Bubbles and Hilton Sparkteam, this evening is all about class, exclusivity and champagne!

Time 18:00 – 19:30
Exclusive champagne tasting and dinner (limited access).
– six very rare luxury champagnes,
– elaborately explained and discussed by champagne experts Martijn Verbruggen and Gregor Neggers,
– set in an exclusive boardroom at Hilton The Hague,
– lobster from the Big Green Egg.
– €149,
– more info: info@g-bubbles.nl & https://www.facebook.com/events/750797184966673/?ref=22

Have questions about 5th Annual #ChampagneDay 2014? Contact ChrisO Vintuba.com

Vendanges de Montmartre

Event coverage, Wine Reviews, , ,

If you happen to be in Paris this weekend, spend an afternoon in Montmartre, by the Sacre Coeur. Through Oct. 12, the annual wine harvest festival “Vendanges de Montmartre” takes place to celebrate the first grapes grown in Paris. But first, begin on the corner of Saint Vincent and rue des Saules to appreciate the only and remaining working vineyard of Paris – called Clos Montmartre, which dates back to 1932 and grows gamay and pinot noir grapes, as well as some sauvignon blanc and riesling. Don’t expect to taste wines made in Montmartre, however, as they are auctioned off at steep prices for collections only. You do not want to drink these. Not only are they inferior tastes, they are also known to be diuretic.

Now that you’ve appreciated the small vineyard, head back up the hill and take the funicular to the butte of Montemarte – unless you want a good step workout. Once at the top, you’ll be able to browse through endless tables of artisan food and wines. Many of these tables offer samples, but do not expect to sample tastes of wines complimentary; you’ll pay between 2-6 euros a glass. But you will get samples of many incredibly tasty cheeses, some Armagnac, almond/honey nougat, and more. My suggestion is to begin with a glass of Champagne, served in a flute you can keep as a souvenir. And then, browse through the tables until the end, check out a street performance, some artists in action, and head up into the Sacre Coeur to check out the interior beauty. Before you leave the area, hop on the carousel for a short ride and giggle, and then head back to taste and make your purchases if you please. End with a stop for some mulled hot wine, as the beautiful sunny days turn to chilly nights.

As you make your way back to the Metro stop: Anvers, you’ll walk through the souvenir street shops where you can participate or watch some live gambling in action. Yes, there are men with large cardboard boxes they use as a table where they place three hockey puck sized discs for you to choose which one has the two stickers underneath. Winner takes all.

Whatever you decide to do, here are a few of my suggestions of wines tastes I would highly recommend:

– A glass of Champagne Brut A Villers Marmery Premier Cru U.V. made in Champagne, France, made with chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot blanc grapes. A perfect blended wine, this one pairs well with rich fish, shellfish poultry, vegetarian dishes and venison.

– Taste the Comte De Lauze Chateauneuf-Du-Pape U.V. from Southern Rhone, France ($78), made with roussanne, marsanne and grenache blanc grapes. Pair this with pork, shellfish, rich fish or poultry.

– Finally, Jean Lecellier Santenay Passetemps 1er Cru Grand Vin de Bourgogne U.V. from Cote de Beaune, France.

Bonne degustation!

Chenin blanc from Loire Valley, France

Wine Destinations, Wine Reviews, , , , , ,

If you’re in the mood for a neutral white wine, the chenin blanc grape is the way to go. A good pick is the golden yellow Anjou Blanc 2010, which hails from Chateau Soucherie in Samur, France, in the Loire Valley. The Loire Valley is known for its 1,000 castles and sordid history, but it’s also a superb growing region for chenin blanc grapes.

Chateau Soucherie’s Anjou Blanc is a supple wine offers white floral aromas and a long finish of creamy caramel that indicates a slight oak aging. It’s best served with shellfish, lean fish and fruity desserts. I’d enjoy this with oysters.

This 2010 Anjou Blanc won a silver medal at the 2012 Concours Mondial Bruxelles, which is a prestigious honor. And you can purchase this wine for 8,40 euro (U.S. $11). Oh, and you actually can find this in the U.S.

Martini sampling on a Holland America Line cruise through Alaska

Event coverage, , ,

Aside from the spectacular Alaskan scenery on board the ms Westerdam, one in a fleet of Holland America Line vessels, there are many options to educate yourself in the arts, technology, fashion and wines, the latter with chocolate pairings that proved worth the small fee to attend. But the most fun is when you get a chance to sit in on a martini sampling in the Atrium, where there were more attendees than stools at the bar. That didn’t stop me from sampling four delicious takes on the cocktail sipped by sophisticated travelers. Here are my favorite four recipes:

Classic Kamikazi: 2 lime wedges, 1.5 oz. vodka, .5 oz. triple sec and 1.5 oz. sour mix

Tuscan Lemon Drop: rosemary sprig, 1 lemon wedge, 1.5 oz. citron vodka, .5 oz. limoncello, 1 oz. sour mix.

Pomegranate Ginger Drop: 2 lemon wedges, 1.5 oz. vodka, 1 oz. sour mix, .5 oz. pomegranate juice, .5 oz. ginger syrup

Tropical Cable Car: An eighth of a grapefruit, 1 oz. Captain Morgan, 1 oz. malibu, 1 oz. sour mix, 1 oz. pineapple J. and a dash of bitter

I have to say that my favorite martini proved that pomegranate and ginger work well together, and the Tuscan Lemon Drop made me wish I were headed to the rolling hills of Italy.

A grape unites the Finger Lakes and France

Upcoming events, Wine Destinations

Riesling is king in the Finger Lakes.  This noble grape is the Finger Lakes most widely planted Vinifera variety with nearly 850 acres in production and almost every winery produces at least one Riesling brand. The microclimate conditions and the slate soils that are so special to the Finger Lakes are exactly what make Riesling thrive here.  The wineries of Finger Lakes Wine Country continue to be internationally recognized for their award-winning Rieslings in such publications as Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Food & Wine, Wine & Spirits, and Decanter.  Many of the region’s Rieslings have won many prestigious medals at wine competitions like Riesling du Monde, or Rieslings of the World, in the Alsace region of France.

The Finger Lakes Wine Alliance is thrilled to announce the official debut of the 2013 Finger Lakes Rieslings through its fourth annual Vintage Riesling Launch promotion, Sept. 2–30, 2014.  The month long celebration will include Riesling tasting events at restaurants, wine bars, wine shops, wineries, and specialty events throughout New York State.  Finger Lakes Wine Alliance will also host a virtual tastings including the popular Riesling Hour, a social media driven Finger Lakes Riesling tasting.

The 2013 Vintage Riesling Launch is the fourth annual celebration of the Finger Lakes release of a new Riesling vintage.  Following the successes of the Riesling Launch the past few years, we are delighted to celebrate the launch of the 2013 Rieslings.  Riesling tasting events will be held at restaurants, wine bars, wine shops, wineries, and specialty events throughout New York State throughout September.  Highlights of the celebration include two events in New York City, Harvest in the Square and Wine Riot.

The 2013 Finger Lakes Riesling Launch will be a sponsor of the 19th Annual Harvest in the Square for the fourth year in a row. The event, presented by Union Square Partnership, will take place at Union Square Park in New York City on Thursday, September 18, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.  Seventeen Finger Lakes Riesling producers will be paired with “chefs from the hottest and most popular restaurants in the Union Square District,” according to the Harvest in the Square website, to enhance the Riesling tasting experience for attendees through pairings with farm fresh culinary creations.   For more information, http://harvest.unionsquarenyc.org/.

Finger Lakes Rieslings will also be featured at the New York City Wine Riot. The Riesling Launch will have a wine booth at the Riot featuring 17 Finger Lakes Riesling producers for two days,September 19–20, 2014, at the 69th Regiment Armory in Manhattan. The Wine Riot is an exciting event where consumers can taste and learn about wines from all over the world in a fun, comfortable atmosphere. For more information, https://secondglass.com/event-categories/wineriot/NYC-2014-fall/.

Another highlight of the 2013 Vintage Riesling Launch is Riesling Hour, the world’s largest Finger Lakes Riesling virtual tasting, on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2013 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. EDT.  Wine enthusiasts nationwide are invited to grab their favorite bottle of Finger Lakes Riesling, pour a glass, and join the conversation by sharing their photos and thoughts about the Riesling in their glass via Twitter using #FLXRiesling or the Finger Lakes Wine Facebook Fan Page.  In addition, there will be a media-exclusive virtual tasting focused on 2013 Finger Lakes Riesling; #WineChat onWednesday September 10, 2014 from 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. EDT.

More information about all events for the 2013 Vintage Riesling Launch can be found at www.RieslingLaunch.com. 

Sipping a 2 euro bottle of Bordeaux

Wine Destinations, Wine Reviews

Not since the days of Trader Joe’s 2-Buck-Chuck have I seen anything like what I experienced upon my arrival in Paris. Once settled in at my apartment, a trip to purchase miscellaneous supplies at the Monoprix led me to a display of Bordeaux wine bottles on sale if you bought two or more. I could only carry so much, so I bought one bottle at full price: 2 euro. My goal was to unpack my bags until I found the corkscrew I had packed. By the third bag, I had found it and called it a night. I opened that bottle and poured my first glass into a drinking glass, as there were no wine glasses in the apartment (there is one now). This Vin de Bordeaux proved young, but grape-forward delicious. 

It did not have the intense complexity of a 2011 Louis M. Martini cabernet I enjoyed in the U.S. before I left for Paris, but it was definitely worth sipping. I can’t wait to try out more wines that aren’t available in the U.S., including some of the Brancaia wines I tasted in Tuscany a few years ago, as well as variations of LaMarca Prosecco. I did manage to get a bottle of 2011 Brancaia TRE, IGT Rosso Toscano while in the U.S., which brought me back to the hills of Chianti, where I once enjoyed a surreal experience dining on the Brancai Estate, hosted by the uber talented winemaker, Barbara Widmer.

Wines certainly break the barrier of communication throughout the world, but for now, I’m concentrating on Bordeaux, a destination I will surely visit soon.