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Don't Miss August Restaurant's Loire Valley Chenin Blanc Meal This Tuesday!
There are still some seats left and rumor has it that Alice Feiring, the wine journalist, might be in attendence at her regular table at 359 Bleecker Street!
This looks like a great event and I would be in attendence but have to go the Master Sommelier Conference in Omaha, Nebraska later today.
Chef Tony Liu has prepared a range of regionally inspired dishes to go with some great wines. Joanna Sherman, the wine educator, will be there to talk about the wines as will Ryan Ibsen from August.
Here's what you'll get:
1st Course
Belon Oyster with Nasturtium Soup
Francoise Chidaine Montlouis-Sur-Loire Brut NV
2nd Course
Poached Char with Petit Gris and Green Garlic
Domaine du Closel Savennieres “Clos Papillion” Sec 2004
3rd Course
Roasted Pork Loin with Jasnieres Prunes
Domaine de Belliviere Jasnieres “Les Rosiers” 2004
4thCourse
Pear Fourme d’Ambert
Moulin Touchais Coteaux de Layon 1993
The meal is $75.00, plus tax, plus a $20.00 tip. Don't miss this event!
Reservations are required and can be made by calling the restaurant at 212.929.8727.
Real Wine Attack on the Rampage!
Even Jeff Connell is coming down from Canada!
I've been too busy in Boston and New York to write anything about the week's events. I've also had to spend lots of time apologizing to restaurant managers for the boisterous behavior of our group.
So, instead of writing text, I have come up with a podcast narrated by Evan Spingarn, the famous wine educator, who also works for David Bowler Selections in New York.
For more details, listen to the podcast below, either on your IPOD or on your desktop computer.
Breaking Details of the Exciting Real Wine Attack in New York!
A Bottle of 2006 Clos des Briord Broken by Air France!
Marc Ollivier checked-in 12 bottles on his Air France flight from Maisdon-sur-Sevre to Boston and one bottle was broken by irresponsible and malicious handling by Air France cargo personnel.
Otherwise, everyone arrived here at the Boston Ritz-Carlton and we are preparing today's tasting with early morning seminars on how to talk with the American buying public.
Have to run and eat a frozen bagel.
The 2007 Real Wine Attack Has Begun!
I'm on an Acela speeding to Boston and handing out Josh Raynold's Muscadet reviews to the monied passengers on this deluxe train. My backrest won't recline, but otherwise it is a beautiful day and we are speeding along at 300 km/hour.
Tomorrow is the big trade tasting at some restaurant named Avila, which is somewhere in Boston, from 1 to 4 pm. 22 vignerons will be there. This will be followed by the big jeebus at Joe Perry's place.
Wednesday is the big Polaner tasting at the historic Puck Building.
Thursday is the Crushathon from 6 to 8.
Friday we disperse to 23 different stores in Brooklyn.
Saturday is the giant Chambers Street Wines tasting from 1 to 7 pm.
Don't miss these exciting events!
I also want to remind Nathan to come to our office on Thursday at 3:12 pm to pick up the Magnum of Larmandier-Bernier he won at our October trade tasting.
Your Guide to this Year's Real Wine Attack!
First Stop is Boston on March 20th!
Can you imagine! It seems like only yesterday that we launched the first Real Wine Attack and already we’re on the seventh edition.
This year’s assault will concentrate on the East Coast and will be a massive operation. Lots of new faces will be there and we’ve asked everyone to bring vineyard workers, mobile bottlers, children and significant others. This will be the Real Wine Attack to end all Real Wine Attacks.
Here's the fabulous schedule for Boston:
Boston Trade Tasting – Trade Only
Tuesday, March 20th, 1-4 pm
Avila Restaurant
One Charles Street South, Boston
- Pierre Breton from Bourgueil
- Henriette et Bernard Baudry from Chinon
- Jean-Paul Brun from Domaine des Terres Dorées in Beaujolais
- Palma Lohr Geiger et Guilhem Dardé from the Mas des Chimères in the Languedoc
- Claude-Emmanuelle et Louis-Benoît Desvignes from Domaine Desvignes in Morgon
- Grégoire Hubau from Château Moulin Pey-Labrie
- Jean Manciat from the Mâconnais
- Philippe Béraud from Mas Saint-Joseph in the Costiéres-de-Nimes
- Eric and Christine Nicolas from Domaine de Bellivière in Jasnières and Coteaux-du-Loir
- Isaure de Pontbriand et Evelyne de Jessey from Domaine du Closel in Savennières
- Geneviève Cormerais et Marc Ollivier from Domaine de la Pepiere in the Muscadet
- Franck Peillot from the Bugey (Altesse and Mondeuse)
- Francois Pinon from Vouvray
- Alain Renardat from the Bugey (Cerdon du Bugey)
- Catherine Roussel and Didier Barrouillet from the Clos Roche Blanche
- Michel Tête from Juliénas
- François Cazin from Cheverny
- Luca Roagna from Piedmont
- Suzana e Stanislao Radikon from Radikon in Friuli
Real Wine Attack 2007 in New York City at Polaner Selections Tasting on Wednesday, March 21st!
Assuming our chartered plane takes off on time and we're not stuck in Boston in a snowstorm, we will be off to New York on Tuesday night and then reconvening at the Polaner Selections Tasting the next day.
Joining us in New York will be Eric Texier, who due to a Rhône tasting in France cannot make it to Boston on Tuesday. Additionally, Catherine and Claude Maréchal from Burgundy will also be arriving in New York to join the festivities as will Manuéla and François Chidaine from Montlouis.
So, here's the fabulous schedule for the Polaner Trade tasting:
Polaner SelectionsTrade Tasting – Trade Only
Wednesday, March 21st, 11 am to 5 pm
THE PUCK BUILDING
295 LAFAYETTE STREET (Near Houston)
- Eric Texier, Rhône
- Catherine et Claude Maréchal, Burgundy
- Manuéla et François Chidaine from Montlouis and Vouvray
- Pierre Breton from Bourgueil
- Henriette et Bernard Baudry from Chinon
- Jean-Paul Brun from Domaine des Terres Dorées in Beaujolais
- Palma Lohr Geiger et Guilhem Dardé from the Mas des Chimères in the Languedoc
- Claude-Emmanuelle et Louis-Benoît Desvignes from Domaine Desvignes in Morgon
- Grégoire Hubau from Château Moulin Pey-Labrie
- Jean Manciat from the Mâconnais
- Philippe Béraud from Mas Saint-Joseph in the Costiéres-de-Nimes
- Manuéla et François Chidaine from Montlouis and Vouvray
- Eric and Christine Nicolas from Domaine de Bellivière in Jasnières and Coteaux-du-Loir
- Isaure de Pontbriand et Evelyne de Jessey from Domaine du Closel in Savennières
- Geneviève Cormerais et Marc Ollivier from Domaine de la Pepiere in the Muscadet
- Franck Peillot from the Bugey (Altesse and Mondeuse)
- Francois Pinon from Vouvray
- Alain Renardat from the Bugey (Cerdon du Bugey)
- Catherine Roussel and Didier Barrouillet from the Clos Roche Blanche
- Françoise et Michel Tête from Juliénas
- François Cazin from Cheverny
- Luca Roagna from Piedmont
- Suzana e Stanislao Radikon from Radikon in Friuli
Finally, a public event at this year's rendition of the Real Wine Attack!
Crush Wine & Spirits – Public Only (Wine Trade People Banned)
Thursday, March 22nd, 6 to 8 pm
Crush Wines
153 East 57th Street (Between 3rd and Lexington)
- Eric Texier, Rhône
- Catherine et Claude Maréchal, Burgundy
- Pierre Breton from Bourgueil
- Henriette et Bernard Baudry from Chinon
- Jean-Paul Brun from Domaine des Terres Dorées in Beaujolais
- Palma Lohr Geiger et Guilhem Dardé from the Mas des Chimères in the Languedoc
- Claude-Emmanuelle et Louis-Benoît Desvignes from Domaine Desvignes in Morgon
- Manuéla et François Chidaine from Montlouis and Vouvray
- Grégoire Hubau from Château Moulin Pey-Labrie
- Jean Manciat from the Mâconnais
- Philippe Béraud from Mas Saint-Joseph in the Costiéres-de-Nimes
- Isaure de Pontbriand et Evelyne de Jessey from Domaine du Closel in Savennières
- Geneviève Cormerais et Marc Ollivier from Domaine de la Pepiere in the Muscadet
- Franck Peillot from the Bugey (Altesse and Mondeuse)
- Francois Pinon from Vouvray
- Alain Renardat from the Bugey (Cerdon du Bugey)
- Catherine Roussel and Didier Barrouillet from the Clos Roche Blanche
- Michel Tête from Juliénas
- François Cazin from Cheverny
- Suzana e Stanislao Radikon from Radikon in Friuli
Brooklyn is the hipster Borough and we'll be there.
Greene Grape Wines
Friday, March 23rd, 6 to 8 pm
765 Fulton Street in Fort Greene -- Call 718.797.9463
- Catherine Roussel and Didier Barrouillet from the Clos Roche Blanche
- Grégoire Hubau from Château Moulin Pey-Labrie
Prospect Wine Shop
Friday, March 23rd, 6 to 8 pm
322 7th Avenue in Park Slope -- Call 718.768.1232
- Jean-Paul Brun from Domaine des Terres Dorées in Beaujolais
- Pierre Breton from Bourgueil
- Alain Renardat from the Bugey (Cerdon du Bugey)
- Geneviève Cormerais et Marc Ollivier from Domaine de la Pepiere in the Muscadet
- François Cazin from Cheverny
Gala Marathon Chambers Street Tasting on Saturday, March 24th to End the 2007 Real Wine Attack!
Two Shifts of Tasting Starting at 1 pm and Ending at 7:12 pm
It might get tight, but we are going to do a two-shift tasting at Chambers Street on Saturday, March 24th so that everyone can fit into the shop at 160 Chambers Street!The event starts at 1 pm and goes on until 7:12 pm. There will be a slight break at 3:45 to rearrange tables. During both shifts, there will be an assorted table with samples of the wines being shown at the other shift. This all sounds confusing, but you will all see how simple this will actually be. The execution will be flawless.
Chambers Street Wines 1st Shift
Saturday, March 22nd, 1 pm to 3:45 pm
160 Chambers Street
- Geneviève Cormerais et Marc Ollivier from Domaine de la Pepiere in the Muscadet
- Jean-Paul Brun from Domaine des Terres Dorées in Beaujolais
- Claude-Emmanuelle et Louis-Benoît Desvignes from Domaine Desvignes in Morgon
- Françoise et Michel Tête from Juliénas
- Jean Manciat from the Mâconnais
- Franck Peillot from the Bugey (Altesse and Mondeuse)
- Eric Texier, Rhône
- Alain Renardat from the Bugey (Cerdon du Bugey)
The 2nd Shift
4:00 PM to 7:12 PM
Bette Restaurant Planning Fabulous Meals during the Real Wine Attack!
Bette Restaurant is going to have to fabulous events you will not want to miss. Call them at 212 366 0404 to make reservatons.
March 17:
RADIKON: 9PM
Kevin McKenna and Joe Dressner and LDM welcome this Slovenian couple to New York with this intimate, round-table dinner that will include 5 Radikon cuvees and 6 compatible courses. Expect a smorgasbord of oysters, smoked fish and game. A truly unforgettable evening. Only 14 seats remain so call early. $125 (all included).
March 22:
Eric and Christine Nicolas: The Best Wines in the World 7PM
Jasnières and Coteaux-du-Loir are making some of the best wines in the world right now. Never heard of Pineau d’Aunis? Come find out what all the fuss is about as I welcome Domaine de Bellivière to Bette for an unforgettable evening of food and wine. Six sumptuous 100% organic courses prepared with the winemakers cuvees. Chenin blanc from Domaine de Bellivière is so hot it hurts. Really. I’ll guarantee it!!
$80 (tax and tip extra) includes 5 cuvees and 5 sumptuous courses prepared with the winemakers wines and cooked in the style of Jasnieres.
My Fourth Podcast -- The Role of Consulting Oenologists in Winemaking Today!
The role of consulting oenologists, like Michel Rolland, Helen Turley, Scott Kraft and all those guys in Italy has become increasingly controversial!
I tackle this issue head-on in my latest podcast. This is an angry rant, no holds-barred, to set the record straight.
Joining me, is Evan Spingarn, the wine educator, who also works for David Bowler Selections in New York.
For more details, listen to the podcast below, either on your IPOD or on your desktop computer.
Wine Oenologists: Good or Bad?
My Third Podcast -- Details about the March 21st Polaner Selections Tasting!
Twenty-two of our vignerons will be in New York on March 21st and I'm podcasting all about this exciting event!
There will be lots of side tastings, events, dinners, concerts, charity events and gallery openings associated with the week.
For more details, listen to the podcast below, either on your IPOD or on your desktop computer.
Evan Spingarn, the wine author and agronomist who also works for David Bowler Selections in New York, will not be attending any of these events although we would be happy to see him there.
To hear this interesting podcast, please click below:
The Wine Importer's Third Podcast on the Polaner Selections March 21st Tasting!
My Second Podcast!
I've gone home ill, but was able to finish up my second podast.
This podcast deals with the problems of global warming. Many of the great wine producing regions of the world are said to be at "the limits of maturation." That is, Pinot Noir was planted in Burgundy because if you plant it further south it gets too ripe but if you plant it further North it does not get sufficiently ripe.
The problem facing vignerons all over the world is whether the past decade of warmer vintages will turn upside-down the vineyard placements which originated centuries ago.
Joining me on this podcast is Evan Spingarn, the wine author and agronomist, who works for David Bowler Selections in New York.
To hear this interesting podcast, please click below:
The Wine Importer's Second Podcast!
My First Podcast!
Everyone tells me that blogging is so passé and that the future is podcasting.
I've run this blog since 1989 but I'm open to change and won't be left behind by this new podcasting technology.
So, I have put together my first pod addressing the influence of Jules Chauvet, the legendary oenologist from the Beaujolais who has greatly influenced an entire generation of natural wine makers.
To hear this pod, which you can download to your IPOD or listen to on your computer, please go to:
The Wine Importer's First Podcast!
What's on Your Playlists?
Mine are empty.
I've played the Goldberg Variations on a desktop version of ITunes, but that's as far as I have gone.
I've also converted the Gilliam Welch version of Carmen into an IPOD format, bit I forgot I don't have an IPOD which would allow me to hear Gilliam Welch singing Toreador while I ride my bicycle with my IPOD attached to my ears under my bike helmet.
Being IPODless is a sad thing.
One hypothetical advantage of using an IPOD with a bicycle is I wouldn't have to use the ITrip Auto to get IPOD reception while I drive. During my recent trip to viticultural France, I spent countless hours finding dead spots on the car radio, synchronizing the Itrip Auto with the dead spot and then desperately scouring others people's playlists to find something I wanted to listen too. I discovered Another Traveling Song by a band called Bright Eyes which I great enjoyed. I also enjoyed Nina Simone's cover of that song.
March 21st Declared IPOD-Free Day!
I know many of my readers use IPODS. Lots of you are leading the ILIFE with your IPHOTOS and IACCESSORIES and ICONNECTIVITY.
What ever happened to reading? Or silence? Or falling asleep out of boredom? How about talking with other human beings about something other than the latest IPOD models you are considering buying and how the IPHONE is going to revolutionize humanity as we know it.
And how about reading Steve Tanzer's International WIne Cellar on the IRT Lexington Line without simultaneously listening to the latest release from Gillian Welch on your 80 GB IPOD which already is filled up with 67 Gigs of Gillian Welch songs?
The more I am around the IPOD, the more I am convinced that this little gadget is as much a threat to humanity as the Bush Administration.
I am hereby declaring March 21st an IPOD-Free Day for New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Illinois and Minnesota.
23 vignerons from France will be coming to New York on that day in solidarity with IPOD-Free Day. More details to come.
Back in New York
We had a forced landing in Chicoutimi last night and we were put up overnight at the lovely Chicoutumi Hilton.
They served us a splendid buffet breakfast before we took off this morning and it was all complimentary!
I went down to the office and spent my morning talking to important people in the Connecticut wine trade. One Connecticut guy told me I was talking bullshit in a dispute we had over Arbois Savignin availability and delivery. I quickly became offended but learned later today that many people in the Connecticut wine trade use that word. They seem to have lots of bullshit acumen.
I am writing this on my cell phone while getting a haircut on East 6th Street. I'm suffering jet lag and needed to take a relaxing break from Connecticut wine power brokers.
Booked on Delta, In Plane, Pondering Meal Choices
Should I have pasta or chicken?
See you all soon in Nathan Zuckerman's Newark.
My Public Apologies to Shawn Mead
I'd like to apologize to Shawn Mead, who works for the same company as I do and who just spent three weeks in France travelling with me.
I get very nervous and panicky before travelling and went crazy last night on our way into Montpellier to catch my now cancelled Jet Blue flight to New York.
Furthermore, I stopped translating French about a week ago. Shawn does not speak French. The last word I translated was "putain."
I know this has been a difficult and burdensome time for Shawn. I hope I can do better in the future.
My God! A French woman in her late 40s just walked by who is a mirror image of the actress who played Lucille, Gunther Tooty's wife on the old show Car 54 Where are You!
I Love Dr. Vino!
He has a great blog and is a valuable new addition to the wine scene.
Don't miss his compelling blog!
My Jet Blue Flight from Paris Has Been Cancelled!
All those apologies from Jet Blue corporate headquarters are not doing me a lot of good this morning as I'm sitting marooned at gate E80 at the Roissy airport.
I'm trying to rebook on Delta, but the only way I can do that would involve my landing in Newark. This seems an interesting idea to me, as I'm currently reading the last book in Philip Roth's Nathan Zuckerman series.
Many of the Parisians I've seen here at the airport are dead ringers for Gerard Fourignon, who is our company's printer and who sends all our beautiful government warning labels all over France from his headquarters in Villefranche in the scenic Beaujolais.
Amazing Facts About Montpellier!
I am about to board my flight to Paris where I will eventually get a flight to New York.
A strange fact about Montpellet is that two out of every five women over 35 pleasantly resemble Alice Feiring.
Another interesting fact, mentioned on Wikpedia, is that Ernest Borgnine is a native of this dynamic town.