by Stuart George
The English diarist Samuel Pepys noted on Friday 10th April 1663 a visit to the “Royall Oak Tavern, in Lumbard Street… and here drank a sort of French wine, called Ho Bryan (Haut-Brion), that hath a good and most particular taste that I never met with.” Two years after Pepys enjoyed drinking Château Haut-Brion at the Royall Oak Tavern, London was ravaged by The Great (Bubonic) Plague, which was transmitted by fleas that lived on rats. Coronavirus cannot compare to the deadly bubonic plague, but it is possible to see parallels between 1665 and 2020 from Pepys’ diary. (The 1665 Plague is also chronicled in Daniel Defoe’s 1772 novel "A Journal of the Plague Year".) On 30th April, Pepys wrote in his diary, “Great fears of the sickenesse here in the City, it being said...
by Claire L. Torbeck, Certified Sommelier
I make the analogy of going to the wine shop like a kid going to a candy store. I want one of everything and have a habit of buying several bottles of each so I can taste and evaluate them over time. Now, while the cellar is organized and I use an Excel spreadsheet to categorize my treasures, there are usually some bottles that are overlooked and may still be awesome or may be past their prime. Earlier this year, in the spirit of cleaning things out, we hosted a ‘Decade Party’ where we tasted all wines from the 2010 vintage. The selections were from all around the world and ultimately from our cellar(s) so we knew they had been stored properly. Making a list of the 2010 wines on hand, I then made pairs of similar wines (by varietal, region or by food pairing options). With a doz...
by Danny Klein And Frances Denmark
When a day starts by opening a 1963 Penfold’s Grange and a Hundred Acre 2005 Single vineyard bottling… you know it’s going to be a great day! Those were just two of the highlights on November 23 when the world-renowned Matter of Taste (MOT) global series of exclusive wine events for Robert Parker Wine Advocate members and guests returned to New York City for the final event of 2019. This year’s fourth edition of the NYC Matter of Taste event took place at a new venue moving uptown to the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Midtown Manhattan (originally the famous Ziegfeld Theater). With unique, top tier tastings in Master Classes and over 250 wine vendors set to pour over 400 wines in the big hall. When the doors opened at Noon, everything was in place. Each premium wine, handpicked for its out...
by Claire L. Torbeck, Certified Sommelier
This organization was first conceived by a group of small estate owners in Bordeaux interested in collectively forming promotional initiatives around the world. The idea grew, the Union was formed and today, in cooperation with distributors, brokers and merchants, they host 80 events a year in over a dozen countries. The focus is to present their latest vintage to some 50,000 or so professionals and wine lovers. The Union consists of 134 Chateau members. On January 24, 2020 (in San Francisco) the 2017 vintage was introduced with more than 70 chateau owners and representatives pouring their wines. There is a ‘trade only’ tasting during the day and K&L Wine Merchants hosts a ‘public tasting’ in the early evening. This event is listed on their website and sells out each year. ...
by Tour
While Manhattan has endless offerings for the curious traveler, the honking cabs and incessant chaos of the city can leave you needing a break from your vacation. For a laid-back day trip, head to eastern Long Island and explore their expansive wine country. Getting There From Manhattan, you can take a train from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma and then transfer for the train to Mattituck. Just be sure to check the schedule, as the train to Mattituck only runs a few times per day. You can also take the Hampton Jitney on the North Fork Line, with the best stops to get off being Mattituck, Cutchogue and Peconic. The wineries are close together, so you can technically walk from one to the other, although better options would be to take a taxi, bike, tour or car. Renting a car is a smart option a...
by Zina Sorensen
Mr. Joseph Miller (B.Sc. SGD) is the President of the International Sommelier Guild. Mr. Miller visited Bulgaria in September/October of 2018 and was invited to visit the wine regions of Bulgaria by Bulgaria Wine Tours. Several wineries opened their doors and invited Mr. Miller inside to introduce him to the wines and wine history of Bulgaria. After ten days of travel, 20 wineries visited and 4 wine regions explored, we were curious about Mr. Miller’s first impressions on Bulgarian wine. Here are 5 questions with Mr. Joseph Miller: 1. What is your general impression of Bulgarian wines and the grape varieties being used? I was personally shocked to have tasted such a great level of quality wine making and that was based primarily on the very few products that arrive in America from ...
by Claire L. Torbeck, Certified Sommelier
It is very helpful to rely upon the ‘paid for’ and ‘free’ critic’s advice and written evaluations when purchasing wine. Shelf talkers tout the expert’s scores to influence what bottle(s) of wine you will ultimately purchase. Should you believe them? For the well-known wine raters, I have been watching their scoring and reading their reviews long enough that I have formed an opinion as to ‘how’ they score wine. I know who always rates higher than the others or which reviewer(s) likes fruit forward, highly extracted and high alcohol wines. Why does that matter? Because while I can tell you the flavor profile of a varietal from various places around the world and I can look to see what the vintage and nature gave us that year, it’s helpful to read the opinion of someon...
by Natasha
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most recognized grape varieties in the world. It’s loved for its age-worthiness and bold flavors. In this blog post, we’re going to uncover 10 facts that every wine lover should know about. 1. Originating from France, it’s a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. In the Bordeaux region, it is often used in red blends with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and sometimes Malbec. 2. Many unique blends have emerged with this grape variety. In Australia, it’s blended with Shiraz. Super Tuscan (a term used to describe red wines using non-indigenous grapes from Tuscany) blend involves Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. 3. The word Sauvignon is derived from an old French dialect word sauvage meanin...
by Zina Sorensen
Wine has been made in Bulgaria for millennia. Over 5000 years of wine history tracing back to the Thracian era places Bulgaria among the oldest wine making countries in the world. After 45 years behind the iron curtain, Bulgarian wine is in a period of rebirth creating exceptional wines at great value. The wine regions are off-the-beaten-path and void of large tourist groups. The beauty of Bulgaria’s mountainous countryside is unspoiled and waiting to be discovered. Tap into the rich culinary legacy, the fascinating history, regional customs and age-old traditions through a wine, food and cultural immersion. Discover the unknown regions of Bulgaria one glass and bite at a time! Salads, Soups, Sizzles and Surprises Local delicacies, regional recipes, grandma’s cooking and a tantalizin...
by Kelly Villasuso
For centuries, the hilltop villages and undulating valleys, the cobbled paths and pebble-strewn shores of the Provence region of France have enticed and enraptured. From painters seeking to capture the ever-changing light in Ménerbes, writers hoping to describe the indescribable beauty of hot-pink bougainvillea juxtaposed with the brilliant sky-blue backdrop of the Cote d’Azur village of Èze, and historians wishing to walk in the footsteps of the brilliant craftsmen of the intricate caves in Gordes, to travelers striving to experience every nuance in between, Provence has long been a place to fulfill — and to enflame — passions. In today’s world of experiential travel, painters, writers, historians, and travelers, alike, continue to flock to southeastern France to immerse their ...
