Aurielle 2008 A very smooth and well balanced California cab marked with “restraint” in terms of keeping med+ acid, smooth tannins, richly concentrated fruit in balance. The use of oak is only apparent from its benefit in terms of giving oxygen to the wine (new french oak and used). Lots of Bordeaux cherry, some [...]
So now after two and a half days of drinking $$$$ of very fine champagne (as a guest!) I am back in New York and looking for something slightly more affordable for Christmas. At Le Bernadin last week, sommelier Aldo Sohm (who won best sommelier in the world competition and is always winning new ones) introduced [...]
Drive up to the home/winery of winemaker Francis Boulard — who makes some of the finest Champagne I have ever tasted — and you will see a modest farmhouse, colorful children’s toys in the large driveway, and … a trampoline. The farmhouse had been purchased by Francis, his wife, and daughter/winemaker Delphine after [...]
“How theatrical!” Was the response as we entered the red velvet walls of Le Theatre in Epernay, a charming town with its petite pretty parks and Belle Epoque buildings. 18th century Paris and some modern romantic arty types of pieces (silouttes anyone?) decorated the restaurant’s red walls. “Welcome!” said the movie star [...]
“Now all we need are sun umbrellas!” said a friend recently at Brasserie Beaumarchais, a very fun restaurant with a lively club-style brunch. The restaurant scene in St. Tropez is fairly wild and decadent with wealthy patrons spraying expensive champagne at one another and bikini-clad patrons dancing to loud disco music. The scene was [...]
Rather risky, don’t you think, to put a California sparkling wine up for comparison among some of the best houses in Champagne? Yet that’s what Hugh Davies did in NYC recently when presenting his sparkling wines to a very select group of journalists. “Of course, I can detect a California sparkler!” you might think [...]
When I was head of Deg.Com Communications in Boston, working with small companies to build buzz for their business, I often spoke at a variety of conventions ranging from the Institute of Management Consultants to Book Expo America to the National Speaker’s Association. No matter what the business I always suggested that media-hungry entrepreneurs begin [...]
Champagne Lunch at the Wine Media Guild Curious about some favorite Champagnes? At a recent Wine Media Guild (WMG) event here in New York I had the opportunity to taste several different brands for this holiday season. Speaking at the event – an annual event – was Ed McCarthy, author of Champagne for Dummies Below [...]
Perrier Jouet “On Valentines’ Day I would always buy boxed sets of Perrier-Jouet Champagne with matching glasses so my guests would have a memoir of the evening,” said a well-connected restaurateur at a recent lunch to celebrate past and present vintages of the House of Perrier-Jouet Fleur De Champagne Portfolio. Of course, you know [...]
“I’ve had this wine before!” says a friend, savoring the pale salmon sparkling wine during a New Year’s brunch. “Was it at the Ritz-Carlton? The Peninsula hotel in L.A.? It was someplace posh …” When the subject of the conversation…
“Would you like to start with Champagne?” the waiter asks as you and your Sweetie sit down to celebrate Valentines Day. As this is a day set apart for sparklers, your answer should be, “Of course.” Even people who prefer…
Have you ever wondered why champagne is served in a flute? A century ago, you’d expect champagne to be served in what was called a “saucer.” Charmed by some gold-edged saucers while visiting a New Orleans antique shop, I bought…
Did you ever consider creating a four course dinner with one sparkling wine? The thought actually hasn’t occured to me for one primary reason. That is, because pairing different wines with different courses is one of the most fun, educational,…
