Special Tasting of Burgundies from Becky Wasserman/Veritas Imports and Napa Cabernets from Jones Family

Our special blockbuster tasting of Burgundies from Becky Wasserman/Vertias Imports and Napa Cabernets from Jones Family Wines this Saturday 29th September from 4pm to 6pm is not to be missed!

One of the Burgundy producers featured is Charles Vienot--a mciro-negoce headed by the brilliant Grégory Patriat, who prior to this spent 3 years with Domaine Leroy. We will feature three terrific Burgundies made by Grégory Patriat under the Charles Vienot label:
Puligny-Montrachet Corvée des Vignes, Charles Viénot 2008
Gevrey-Chambertin, Charles Viénot 2009
Chambolle-Musigny, Charles Viénot 2009

Aside from Charles Vienot, we will pour beautiful, yet affordable white and red Burgundies from top producers including Patrick Javillier, Benjamin Leroux, Camille Giroud, Joseph Garnier, and Vrignaud. And we will also feature wines from Napa's cult producer, Jones Family! Altogether 12 fantastic, different wines are included in the lineup

Total cost for this special tasting event, which includes a taste of all the wines and a special small-bites menu to accompany the tasting, is just $55.00/person. We have very limited spots for this event. For more details and to reserve, please call us at 800.580.8588.

The State of Burgundy Today

Burgundy is more popular than ever, with a horde of new fans not just here in the US but even more so in booming Asia.

Alas, supply of Burgundy is unable to keep up with the increasing demand because it is made in small quantities. To make matters worse, Burgundy has experienced significant crop shortages since 2007, with 2009 the only year with a decent production. Both 2010 and 2011 were small production years, but the current vintage, 2012, is largely a disaster in many of the most important regions. Many producers are reporting harvest being down by over half of normal!

Thus, with demand growing and supply shrinking, it’s not hard to figure out a major problem in availability (and pricing) looming in the coming years, particularly for Burgundies from the best sites, which is generally in the Côte d’Or.

My best advise is to load up now, while good values still abound. Even in a few years time, you won't regret doing this.

Bastille Day Dinner 13th July 2012

Every year we do a Bastille Day wine dinner which is a great excuse to wine and dine. This year we had chef Patrick Farjas--ably assisted by his buddy chef Gaston--prepare for us a four-course, Lyonnais-inspired dinner. We featured an all-French lineup of wines imported by Martine's Wines, the pioneering French wine import company owned by Martine Saunier.

With chefs Gaston and Patrick manning the kitchen, how can we miss?

Patrick Piuze's Cremant de Bourgogne and 2010 Petit Chablis. Terrific start!

A Bastille Day soiree should always start with a tasty charcuterie plate.

 

With the charcuterie plate, the luscious '10 Georges Vernay Viognier and the '09 Herri Mina Irouleguy blanc were simply awesome! Some good spicy notes to go with the charcuterie.

And Paul entertained us during the night, singing French music and more jazzy stuff, really elevated the evening for everyone!

On a bed of pappardelle the best coq au vin! If I remember correctly I think the ratio was 9 bottles of vino per chicken, 2 days maceration, then roasted, fined, but without filtering. The broth was clean and packed with a smoky, earthy flavor. Fork-tender chicken. Yum! Merci Chef!

With Coq au Vin ya gotta have a Beaujolais! But Paul Janin's '10 Beaujolais-Villlages is extraordinary. From 60 year-old vines planted on just 1 hectare plot near Moulin a Vent. Handpicked and handsorted. 20% whole-cluster. Less than 400 cases are produced. Great vintage, beautiful with the coq!

2010 Bourgogne Rouge from Patrice Rion, one of the Burgundy producers we most admire! This comes from plots near Chambolle-Musigny, no wonder the finesse shows. Quite mineral as well. Enclosed in saranex-lined screwcap. Great with the coq au vin!

Gorgeous '10 Gilles Robin Crozes-Hermitage Papillon, floral and silky from young vines Syrah, great with the coq au vin! And ya gotta have Bordeaux for Bastille Day! This one the '10 Cru Monplaisir from an estate near Margaux and made by the former cellar master of Chateau Margaux, deeply concentrated, fabulous depth, amazing value!

Vacherin glacé, the special Lyonnaise dessert, whoo, what a treat! Orange and pomelo flavored cake at the bottom, ice cream, choco-banana meringue. Curnonsky and Larousse would be impressed!

Ah, the amazingly bright and pure '06 Chateau Les Justices Sauternes! 88% Semillon, a very high percentage. Honeyed and mineral, apricot flavors. Does wonders to the Vacherin!