Question: I hear some chatter that Pommard Rugiens and Epenots should become Grand Cru vineyards. What are your thoughts on this idea?

Answer: Yes I have heard that lobby as well. There presently are 27 Premier Cru vineyards in Pommard and no Grand Cru. Certainly Rugiens & Epenots are 2 of their best but both are not totally consistent having different terroirs even within those vineyards. I am sure the INAO are hearing about these and other representations for changes to their original 1936 appellation classification. IMHO there are other vineyards that warrant consideration for elevation to Grand Cru ahead of Pommard. 3 that would be at the very top of my promotion list based on their quality and present price levels would be Chambolle- Musigny Les Amoureuses, Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques, and Meursault Perrieres!

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Image courtesy: gamberorosso.it

Gambero Rosso (www.gamberorosso.it) are celebrating their “30 years of passion” (1986-2016) with a roadshow which on June 10, 2016 was promoting #trebicchieriVAN. Their new Red Guide (30 Euros) is out spotlighting 2400 producers, 22000 wines, 421 Tre Bicchieri. They conducted a special Master Class of 9 top winning Italian wines that showed amazing diversity of style. Here is a brief summary:

1. Sparkler of the Year: Franciacorta Dosage Zero Noir Vintage Collection Riserva 2006 Ca’del Bosco – 60% chardonnay with pinot bianco & pinot nero from 22 sites vines averaging 30 years shows acidity, structure, elegance and harmony. Fantastic bubbles!

2. Best Value For Money: Falanghina del Sannio Svelato 2014 Terre Stregate – Fruity tangerine character drinking well at super value from increasingly popular grape easy to grow in Campania.

3. White Wine of the Year: Collio Friulano 2014 Schiopetto – 100% friulano from Collio DOC aged in stainless on lees is balanced with almond, apricot & pear fresh aromas with full flavour that can age.

4. Award For Sustainable Viticulture: A.A.Terlano Sauvignon Tannenberg 2013 Manicor –  Alto Adige gives lovely refreshing style with minerality with sustainable methods used by Manicor.

5. Red Wine of the Year: Etna Rosso V. Barbagalli 2012 Pietradolce – First bottle corked but 2nd excellent! Single vineyard Barbagalli from the trendy Etna volcanic slopes is a light colour but delivers lovely delicate elegant earthy yet clean roses. Excellent purity and not tiring to drink.

6. Grower of the Year: Barbaresco Asili 2012 Ca’ del Baio – One of the brilliant sites delivers complex cherries already smooth and rich – a worthy winner for the wine as well as the grower.

7. Up-And-Coming Winery: Bolgheri Rosso Sup. Atis 2012 Guado al Melo – IGT Blend of older clones cab sauv, cab franc, & merlot from vines planted in 1999 with 24 months in barrique has lots of balsamic red fruits with impressive structure.

8. Winery of the Year: Amarone della Valpolicella Cl. 2011 Allegrini – The Allegrini family have been involved in Valpolicella since the 16th century with now the 6th generation in charge. Own about 100 hectares of vineyards and emphasis is on not having residual sugar or oxidation in their wines. Don’t want brown colour or a porty styled Amarone but fresh clean wine with acidity. A great success!

9. Sweet of the Year: Valle d’Aosta Chambave Moscato Passito Prieure 2013 La Crotta di Vegneron – Has slightly higher alcohol but certainly sweet with acidity too in a true passito styling from Aosta Valley.

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Image: laciteduvin.com

By Joseph Temple

Get ready to expand your definition of the term “wine tourism”!

Earlier this month, the city of Bordeaux unveiled a brand new and jaw dropping attraction—La Cité du Vin —a gigantic wine-themed museum that’s guaranteed to lure in oenophiles from across the world. Described as a Disneyland for wine lovers, this ten-story building, which some say looks like a giant decanter, opened its doors to the public after seven long years of construction costing approximately 81 million euros. According to its website, La Cité du Vin “is a unique venue for culture and recreation where wine comes to life through an immersive, sensorial approach, all set within an evocative architectural design.”

With an individual ticket price of €20 (which includes a glass of wine), visitors can expect to be blown away by a number of diverse attractions. For starters, you can head up to the eighth floor to the observation deck known as the Belvedere. Giving locals and tourists a stunning 360° view of the Gironde city, one can enjoy a wine tasting from an updated selection of twenty bottles while soaking in all this gorgeous scenery, from the Place de la Bourse to the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux. Additionally, the Le 7 restaurant, operated by chef Nicolas Lascombes offers diners another spectacular panoramic view of the city.

Next is the permanent tour, which is described as an “immersive, sensory adventure to discover the cultures and civilizations of wine.” Consisting of twenty different themed areas that explore “the many and varied facets of wine across time and space,” the entire experience is enhanced by cutting-edge technology in the form a travel companion, allowing the visitor to create a virtual travel log in eight different languages.

Then there’s Latitude20, the museum’s wine bar. Housing a collection of 14,000 bottles from 70 different countries, visitors can sample vintages from around the world, from the traditional wine growing regions to the more exotic locations like Bali and Tahiti. Yes, apparently Tahiti makes wine! And once again, technology takes it to the next level with iPad installations that allow you to learn more about the wine you’re about to drink by the world’s top sommeliers.

Of course, America’s footprint can be seen at this theme park whenever you enter the Thomas Jefferson Auditorium. Funded by American Friends of the Cité du Vin (which raised over $300,000 for this project), this theater named in honor of America’s third president (and former ambassador to France) will serve as the venue for movie screenings, debates, presentations and concerts.

According to a story published in USA Today, museum staff has said that you can expect to spend at least 2.5 hours at La Cité du Vin. But don’t think that this attraction is going to take away visitors from the local wineries: While inside you can learn about all about Bordeaux vineyards and even book an excursion. Aiming to draw over 400,000 visitors annually, “the Guggenheim of Wine” according to Bordeaux’s mayor hopes to be one of the twenty most visited museums and parks in all of France. “Wine is part of our cultural and gastronomic heritage but also our landscape,” said French president Francois Hollande at the grand opening. “It symbolizes how France is seen by the outside world; a country of freedom and culture and an emblem of the enviable lifestyle of which we are so proud.”

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Question: I was given a bottle of 1998 Burgess Enveiere – is it still drinkable?

Answer: I have visited the historic original Souverain winery on the western slopes of Howell Mountain in the Napa Valley which was taken over by Tom Burgess in 1972. Burgess made some impressive “boutique” wines in the seventies and eighties but as their production increased the winery got more commercial. However, the first Bordeaux styled Enveiere (“to send a message”) was special from 1997 (a great vintage) to celebrate their 25^th anniversary in a tall bottle with attractive black & gold labelling. Tasting it shortly after release showed a full rich textured cabernet sauvignon blend with power & lots of spicy new oak. I haven’t tried their 1998 but the year was much cooler resulting in a later harvest with less consistent ripe fruit. Notice your question comes from that beautiful spot of Kona Hawaii. Unless you are only vacationing there warmer storage conditions could also be an issue in favour of earlier drinking. Your 1998 could be drying out now but should nonetheless be lovely drinking showing that hillside cab statement in a more elegant lighter styling. Enjoy it with food!

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The expanding wine region of the Okanagan in British Columbia is hot & trendy now with almost a plethora of quality wineries and interesting dining choices. With the low value of the Canadian dollar it makes for a wonderful vacation opportunity for foreigners. Keep it in mind for your upcoming travel plans. The Vancouver branch of your IWFS makes an annual Spring Tour there well organized by knowledgeable members Larry Burr & his wife Maggie assisted by hard working President Jim Robertson & Milena. Last year they spotlighted the northern regions with wineries in Kelowna & Lake Country. They are just back from their latest excursion this year covering the region of Okanagan Falls at the south end of Skaha Lake near Penticton which is so full of delightful wine and food experiences. Your scribe unfortunately missed it but is still immersed actively in the BC wine scene judging several upcoming BC wine competitions including this month Lt. Gov. Awards For Excellence in Victoria at Government House, 2nd Judgment of BC Wines (first one featured chardonnay & syrah with Steven Spurrier last year) in the Okanagan and this Fall the 2016 British Columbia Wine Awards.  A more detailed report of this wine and food tour with a lot of fun photos can be found here. What a branch activity!  Here is how to put it together for Okanagan Falls:

VANCOUVER BRANCH IWFS WINE TOUR 2016 OF OKANAGAN FALLS:

THURSDAY MAY 26 – to Penticton Lakeside Resort on your own.

FRIDAY MAY 27

The Penticton Farmer’s Market is set up in the 100 block Main Street (in front of the Hotel); it opens at 8:30 am.
We leave promptly at 9:30 am for the tour, by Top Cat Tours 24 passenger coach. Lots of room for wine boxes, etc.
Friday Schedule:
Pentage Winery 10:00 – 11:30
Liquidity Winery 12 noon – 1:00 pm
Lunch – Liquidity Bistro 1:00 pm – 2: 00 pm
Blasted Church 2:15/2:30 – 3:45 pm
Krazy Legz/ Skaha Winery 4:00 – 5:15 pm
Return to Lakeside Resort at about 5:30 – 5:45 pm.
Dinner: Theo’s Restaurant – 687 Main Street.

SATURDAY MAY 28

Top Cat leaves promptly at 9:30 am
Noble Ridge 10:00 – 11:15 am
Stag’s Hollow 11:30 – 12:30 pm
Wild Goose 12:30 – 1:30
Lunch on the patio at Smokin’ Oak Bistro (Wild Goose) to 2:30
Meyer Family 2:45 – 4:00 pm
Synchromesh 4:00pm – 5;15 pm
Return to Lakeside Resort at about 5:45 pm
Dinner: Local Lounge and Bistro (Summerland).

SUNDAY MAY 29

Sunday Schedule: Blue Mountain 10:00/10:15 – 11:45 am
Painted Rock 12 noon – 1:00 pm
Lunch by Joy Road Catering at Painted Rock, al fresco 1 pm – 2:30pm

List of wineries & wines tasted:

PENTAGE WINERY
2014 Rousanne “Fizz”
2014 Sauvignon Blanc
2014 Gewurztraminer
2011 RMV
2012 Syrah reserve
2012 GSM
2013 Icewine Riesling

LIQUIDITY WINERY
N/V “Bubbly”
2015 Viognier
2013 Chardonnay
2015 Pinot Gris
2014 Pinot Noir Estate
2013 Merlot

BLASTED CHURCH VINEYARDS 
2011 OMG
2012 OMG
2013 Merlot
2014 Merlot
2013 Holy-Moly
2009 Black Bottom Stomp
2011 ‘Port’

KRAZE LEGS/SKAHA
2015 Rose
2015 Chardonnay
2015 Pinot Blanc
2015 Mystique – Chard/PBlanc
2013 Cabernet Franc

NOBLE RIDGE VINEYARD
N/V “The One”
2014 Pinot Grigio
2014 Mingle
2013 Pinot Noir Reserve
2012 Pinot Noir King’s Ransom
2013 Chardonnay KR
2013 Meritage KR
2013 Meritage Reserve

STAG’S HOLLOW WINERY
2015 Albarino
2013 Tempranillo
2011 Pinot Noir Renaissance
2013 Merlot Renaissance
2005 & 2000 Merlot
2015 Dolcetto
2015 Tragically Vidal

WILD GOOSE VINEYARDS  
2015 Pinot Gris
2015 Pinot Blanc Mystic
2014 Gewurztraminer
2015 Riesling Classic
2015 Riesling Stony Slope
2015 Riesling God’s Mountain

MEYER FAMILY VINEYARDS
2015 Fleet Road Riesling
2011 Chardonnay McLean Ck
2015 Pinot Noir Rose
2014 Pinot Noir Okanagan
2014 Pinot Noir Reimer & McLean Ck
2014 Pinot Noir Old Block

SYNCHROMESH WINERY
2015 Riesling
2015 Drier
2015 Riesling Bob Hancock Vineyard
2015 Riesling Thorny Vine Vineyard
2015 Riesling Four Shadows Vineyard
2015 Riesling Storm Haven Vineyard
2015 Cachola Family Cab France Rose
2014 Cachola Family Cabernet Franc
2012 Turtle Rock Tertre Rouge

BLUE MOUTAIN VINEYARD
N/V Brut Gold Label
2008 Blanc de blanc Reserve RD
2014 Chardonnay Estate
2014 Chardonnay Reserve
2010 Pinot Noir Reserve
2011 Pinot Noir Reserve
2012 Pinot Noir Reserve

PAINTED ROCK VINEYARD
2014 Rose
2015 Chardonnay – tank sample
2013 Syrah
2014 Petit Verdot – barrel sample
2014 Malbec – barrel sample
2013 Red Icon – bottle
2015 Cabernet Franc – barrel sample
2015 Petit Verdot – barrel sample

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