This past Sunday, Cinnamon and I were invited to the pre-release party of the 2015 Louis Roederer "Cristal" Brut Champagne by Jean-Baptiste-Lecaillon, the chef de cave of Champagne Louis Roederer. He was there with Johann Merle, his vineyard manager, whom we were lucky enough to sit with, and the rest of his team. The wine is available for pre-sale now, but won’t arrive until the week of the 19th.
Read MoreRecently I had the great pleasure to meet Jacky Blot. I have long been a fan of his wineries, Domaine Taille Aux Loups and Domaine de la Butte, when their wines were presented to me well over a decade ago. They represent an outsider's spirit in an emerging region, and he has been one of the pioneers to make a sustainable impact on elevating these appellations to greatness. Last Monday I was incredibly saddened to hear of his passing. If you’re not familiar with his wines, now more than ever is the time to discover themfor yourself.
Read MoreToday’s Wine News takes us on a tour of the most exciting producers in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. Led by Buyer Thomas Smith, you’ll discover new takes on classic varieties and the winemakers who are making the magic happen.
Read MoreNothing beats a tasting at the dining room table of a great grower, especially when that grower is Jean-Baptiste Jacquesson and the dining room looks out onto the vineyards of Troissy in the Marne Valley.
Read MoreLast week I had the chance to visit one of the most hallowed pieces of ground in the Champagne region, the great Clos Saint Hilaire in Mareuil, at the center of the Billecart-Salmon property there. This vineyard, entirely planted to an old massal selection of Pinot Noir in 1964, makes one of the most profound Blanc de Noirs in the whole appellation. Over the last few years, the Billecart family has put in a huge effort to improve the vineyard, by adding hundreds of different plants along the border of wall, creating bird houses, insect hotels, two small ponds for frogs, and even adding beehives. This new biodynamic approach will encourage ladybugs to eat aphids, birds to eat caterpillars, and, in the end, a healthier vineyard. It is an amazing project to see.
Read MoreIt is great to be back on the road in Champagne, and last week I visited Vaudemange for the very first time in 23 years of visiting the region. Just southeast of the Grand Cru of Ambonnay, this picturesque part of the region is called La Perle Blanche de la Montagne de Reims, or “the white pearl of the mountain of Reims.” Just below it is Champagne Agricole, with plains of wheat, and it is at the crossroads of the Marne and the Montagne.
Read MoreFreshly back from Bordeaux’s En Primeur tastings, Clyde and his team have assembled a roster of the best and brightest Bordeaux that we currently have in stock. You’ll find notes about the lauded 2022 vintage to chew on while we assemble our in-depth vintage report and wines to keep your thirst slaked while we watch the 2022 campaign. All that and more in today’s newsletter!
Read MoreNew Zealand Riesling is one of the wine styles I find myself drinking more than anything else these days, thanks to the high quality and incredibly reasonable prices. Riesling is produced in nearly every major wine-growing region in the country and comes in a variety of styles. Most are off-dry with just a hint of sweetness, while others can range from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. With a variety of styles and QPR that is off the charts, I honestly can’t recommend these wines enough. Here’s a quick tour of New Zealand’s best Rieslings.
Read MoreAs a bona fide tired mom, I’m here to attest to the fact that moms do a lot. A lot a lot. There’s unseen labor and research and consideration and love that goes into countless tasks, endless tasks; and I’m wagering that if there’s a mom in your life, she’s tired. She’s probably so tired from planning everything all the time to plan something nice for herself for Mother’s Day. That’s where you come in! And we’re here to help. Here are a few mother-approved tips that will help you make the mom in your life feel loved.
Read MoreWine shopping can sometimes be an overwhelming and complicated endeavor for the uninitiated. There are so many different varietals, regions, and styles of wine, it’s easy to walk into even the most well-organized wine shop and feel totally lost. Knowing how to ask for what you’re looking for is half the battle.
Read MoreThere is no doubt that Nicolas Maillart is among the elite of Champagne’s grower producers, and we have been very lucky to work with him and his wines over the last four years.
Read MoreOur fearless Domestic crew traveled to Napa to taste the finest the valley had to offer at this year’s Premiere Napa Valley. Staffers Hope Cooc and Carlo Delgado recap their impressions in today’s blog.
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