Posted by Collette | Uncategorized | Posted on February 1st, 2012
The term “racking” means moving wine from one vessel to another. Sometimes that is from tank to barrel, sometimes barrel to barrel, and sometimes barrel to tank. Racking serves several purposes at different times during the wine making process. The first racking is usually done shortly after initial fermentation of sugar to alcohol is complete. This separates the wine from the skins, seeds, dead yeast cells, and other particles that settle to the bottom of the tank. Red wine typically goes into barrel at this racking.
Red wines typically will be racked on other occasions during wine aging depending on the preferences of the winemaker and the grape varietal. After wine has finished secondary (Malolactic) fermentation converting malo acid to lactic acid, wines may be racked again to further clarify the wine by taking the wine out of barrel, cleaning the barrel of the lees, and then putting the wine back into barrel. (Lees are the sediment in the wine left over from the first racking and may contain attributes that may improve or not improve wine quality.) This is the point at which the artisan hand of the winemaker comes into play. Knowledge of the fruit from a particular vineyard, knowing the age of the vines and impacts of terrior, understanding the specific nuances of that vintage, and how the wine is aging in barrel; all play in the decision of whether to rack or not.
Then there is the final racking, moving the wine from barrel into tank for settling before bottling.
Posted by Collette | Uncategorized | Posted on January 17th, 2012
Mardi Gras is fast approching! Celebrate with Champagne!
SoifFaim
Translating to “thirsty hungry,”
SoifFaim is the perfect place to go when you’re feeling exactly that. This new restaurant and lounge inside the
InterContinental New Orleans touts an upscale Moroccan theme, which carries through with their exotic dishes like the Lamb Marrakesh Burger. But the best part is their sparkling wine list, which features everything from accessibly priced glasses to extravagant bottles (Cristal, anyone?). Make sure to try one of their Champagne cocktails, such as the citrus flavored Crème de Citron or classic Kir Royale.
Ste. Marie
Step into
Ste. Marie, a modern interpretation of the celebrated Champagne houses of France. The inviting space features a plum- and orange-hued dining room and a menu packed with French dishes and nearly 30 sparkling wines. If you’re planning a
girls’ getaway, make sure to order something extra fun and festive, like the pink-colored rosé moscato or rosé prosecco.
Sylvain
You might already love French fries and Champagne separately, but at
Sylvain, a trendy gastro-pub in the French Quarter, you’ll realize how much you love them together. Order the “Champagne and Fries” appetizer, which pairs hand-cut fries with Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label Champagne. The acidity and bubbles of the Champagne provide a surprisingly delightful palate cleanser against the saltiness of the fries, proving that sometimes opposites do attract.
Posted by Collette | Uncategorized | Posted on December 28th, 2011
Champagne (with the exception of blanc de blancs) is made with two red grapes, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, as well as one white grape, Chardonnay.
Blanc de Noir Champagne is made from 100% Pinot Noir.
Better champagnes have smaller bubbles, more of them, and the bubbles last longer.
Dom Perignon Champagne is aged six to eight years prior to being put on the market.
Korbel Champagne Cellars is a winery based in Sonoma County, California (Russian River Valley). Korbel sells the largest volume of premium traditional method Champenoise sparkling wine in the United States and has had its sparkling wine served at six U.S. presidential inaugurations. www.korbel.com
The pressure inside a champagne bottle is approximately three times that of a car tire.
The longest champagne cork flight in the world was 177 feet, 9 inches, set by American Heinrich Medicus in New York in 1988.
Domaine Chandon Winery, in Napa, specializes in sparkling wines and offers tours where visitors can often see the bottling process. www.domainechandon.com
Schramsberg Winery – another excellent winery in Sonoma County also makes an outstanding sparkling wine. The 2007 Blanc de Noirs earned 94pts from Wine Enthusiast.
Made primarily from the red grape Pinot Noir, this is a complex, medium-bodied, brut sparkling wine. This wine is particularly well-suited to serve with a variety of foods, including soft and nutty cheeses, macadamia nut-crusted halibut, and pork tenderloin with fresh rosemary and lemon thyme.
Don’t let this be one of your regrets in life – ‘My only regret in life is that I did not drink more champagne’ – John Maynard Keynes
Posted by Collette | Uncategorized | Posted on November 9th, 2011
November 17, 2011 is Beaujolais Nouveau Day
Beaujolais Nouveau is a young red wine made from handpicked Gamay grapes grown in the Beaujolais region of France, where the beverage accounts for half of the region’s production. While most red wines improve with age, Beaujolais Nouveau is all about freshness. Many producers, including regional giant Georges Duboeuf, race to deliver the first of the vintage to celebrations throughout France and the world.
Under French law, the wine may be released at 12:01 a.m. on the third Thursday of November, just weeks after the wine’s grapes have been harvested. Fermentation is so short that the resulting wine exhibits fruity flavors and light tannins. Beaujolais Nouveau should be consumed right away (or within a year of being made), and is best served slightly cooled. Nearly half of the wine’s 70-million-bottle production is exported abroad, mainly to Japan, Germany and the United States (where it is popularly enjoyed with Thanksgiving dinner).
Posted by Collette | Uncategorized | Posted on November 7th, 2011
PIEMONTE ITINERARY
4 Nights
This tour has been designed with small groups or individuals in mind, that want to discover a less known region of Italy. A unique way of seeing Piemonte from a wine and food critic’s point of view…or almost!
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
* 4 Nights accommodations at 4-star hotels
* 1/2 day tours of Torino and the Langhe region.
* Visit to Pollenzo, Barolo and other small villages.
* 1/2 day tour of the Alba truffle market or any other local event.
* 1/2 day tour of the Cinema Museum in Torino
* Visit of Fontanafredda
* Visit of the Wine Museum in Barolo
* Visit of the “Banca del Vino” in Pollenzo
* All transfers and meals included
* Truffle hunting
Day 2:
9:00 AM Transfer to Langhe Roero area
9:45 AM Stop at the roman village of Pollenzo, UNESCO World Heritage and site of the University of Gastronomic Science of Slow Food and of the Wine Bank. Guided short walk in the village and visit of the renowned Wine Bank. A bank collecting the best Piedmontese wines, a Fort Knox of the wine world for the best vintages of local and foreing wines; here the wines can find the perfect environment in which to mature, and can change ownership without travelling.
11:00 AM Transfer to La Morra, guided visit and site inspection oft he wine cellars.
1:00 PM Lunch at a local restaurant
2:15 PM Panoramic tour of the Langa of Barolo till the village of Barolo, where the King of the wine was born.
2:45 PM Guide visit of the new Wine Museum, hosted in the ancient Falletti Castle, completely renewed and reopened to the public september last year. A journey through the culture and the traditions of wine, designed by the Swiss architect Francois Confino.
4:30 PM Transfer to Serralunga, guided visit of the complex of Fontanafredda.
6:00 PM Overnight stay at the Villa Contessa Rosa, relax before dinner.
7:45 PM Dinner at the Exclusive restaurant of the complex.
The best time to take this trip is at the end of October, when the Chestnut and the Truffle markets are happening in the Langhe area.
Here’s an example of Day 2 of this four day itinerary:
Day 2:
9:00 AM Transfer to Langhe Roero area
9:45 AM Stop at the roman village of Pollenzo, UNESCO World Heritage and site of the University of Gastronomic Science of Slow Food and of the Wine Bank. Guided short walk in the village and visit of the renowned Wine Bank. A bank collecting the best Piedmontese wines, a Fort Knox of the wine world for the best vintages of local and foreing wines; here the wines can find the perfect environment in which to mature, and can change ownership without travelling.
11:00 AM Transfer to La Morra, guided visit and site inspection oft he wine cellars.
1:00 PM Lunch at a local restaurant
2:15 PM Panoramic tour of the Langa of Barolo till the village of Barolo, where the King of the wine was born.
2:45 PM Guide visit of the new Wine Museum, hosted in the ancient Falletti Castle, completely renewed and reopened to the public september last year. A journey through the culture and the traditions of wine, designed by the Swiss architect Francois Confino.
4:30 PM Transfer to Serralunga, guided visit of the complex of Fontanafredda.
6:00 PM Overnight stay at the Villa Contessa Rosa, relax before dinner.
7:45 PM Dinner at the Exclusive restaurant of the complex.
Contact me for pricing options! collette.peck@gmail.com
Posted by Collette | Uncategorized | Posted on October 24th, 2011
In the past 10 years Bordeaux has enjoyed a resurgence of quality shops, restaurants and markets.
Best bistro: La Tupina
La Tupina was voted the second-best bistro in the world by the International Herald Tribune. Chef Jean-Pierre Xiradakis is one of my heroes and has always been a fervent ambassador for food from the southwest. The room centres on two impressive fireplaces, with food such as bread and meat on display as a reminder that you’re here to enjoy yourself. The menu reads as if my grandmother returned and decided to cook us a welcome back Sunday lunch.
More: latupina.com.
Best for caneles: Baillardran
Baillardran is a chain specialising in caneles, a dark caramel cake with a moist centre flavoured with rum and vanilla. The name derives from the fluted copper mould in which it is made. Baillardran also sells macarons but has built its business on caneles. My family swears by them.
More: baillardran.com.
Best hotel and spa: Les Sources de Caudalie
When you drive to the vineyards of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, 12km from the centre of Bordeaux, you reach the quiet hamlet of Les Sources de Caudalie. Its hotel, restaurants and spa are a true family operation. Alice Tourbier, daughter of the Smith Haut Lafitte proprietaires, and her husband, Jerome, have created a wine-country hotel attached to two great restaurants, all of them set in inspiring surroundings. The 19th-century laundry hall has been converted into a successful bistro, and restaurant La Grande Vigne is one of the best in the region, with the chef, Nicolas Masse, balancing creativity and terroir. What’s more, the 16,000 bottles stored in its wine cellar should satisfy anyone.
More: sources-caudalie.com.
Best brasserie: Fernand
Fernand is on the Quai St Pierre and looks like a typical old brasserie, as if it’s been there for 100 years. But in fact it’s only been open for seven. The lunch menu is a bargain at E17.50 ($24) and the a la carte favours bounties from the nearby Atlantic. Last time I was there I had steak tartare prepared at the table and served with homemade chips, and it was perfect. It is open for lunch and dinner, more like a bistro, not all day, as is usual for a brasserie.
More: fernand-bordeaux.com.
Cheese paradise No 1: Baud et Millet
A cheese lovers’ paradise for 23 years, especially as you can help yourself. You head down a narrow staircase into the cellar and select as many of the more than 100 cheeses on offer as you can eat. The a la carte is quite fun, with dishes such as cherry tomatoes and roquefort clafouti or a tomme de savoie with a morel sauce.
More: baudetmillet.fr.
Cheese paradise No 2: Fromagerie Deruelle
Elodie Deruelle is so passionate about cheese, she was a shepherd for a while. Although her shop has been open only a few months, her St Felicien, mimolette and bleu de bresse have attracted a following, and she supplies local restaurants.
More: 66 Rue du Pas St Georges, 33000 Bordeaux.
Best-kept secret: L’appart
Rarely mentioned in guides, and without even a website, L’Appart is Bordeaux’s wild card. Situated in a plain villa in Merignac, it has been open for about eight years and its often-changing, always creative modern menu still manages to surprise. Reasonably priced and favoured by a young, sophisticated crowd.
More: 15 Rue Maubec,33700 Merignac.
Best Moroccan: Le Rizana
In the heart of the Quartier St Michel, a short stroll from the Marche des Capucins, Le Rizana is a small, unpretentious Moroccan restaurant with more seats outside than in. The owner, Ichen Kaaduachin, took it over from his parents, who had run it for 23 years. There are lots of Moroccan restaurants in St Michel but Le Rizana has the edge, as well as brilliant tagine with great depth of flavour.
More: 7 Rue Gaspard Philippe, 33000 Bordeaux.
For wine lovers: Aux Quatre Coins du Vin
Only open from 6pm and closed on Sunday, Aux Quatre Coins du Vin has a tasting machine called Vin au Verre that allows you to choose 3cl, 6cl or 12cl samples from a selection of 32 wines. It’s a great way of tasting grands crus at reasonable prices. The wine bar also offers the chance to try before buying from its cellar, as it is also a cave.
More: 8 Rue de la Devise,33000 Bordeaux.
Best market: Le Marche des Capucins
Le Marche des Capucins is the main covered market in Bordeaux, and there you will find butchers, fishmongers, fruit, vegetables, flowers, wine, even honey. It’s where chefs do their shopping, and it is full of great characters, vendors with big moustaches or old grumpy blokes in berets. More important, the quality of the produce is superb.
More: Place des Capucins, 33000 Bordeaux.
Best for bread (and madeleines): La Fabrique Pain et Bricoles
Here they bake the best bread in Bordeaux: it’s so good the queue often stretches for 15m outside the shop. But the shop is so plain, it’s almost as if those who run it don’t know how great they are. I particularly like the pain de campagne cooked dark with a fantastic crust. And the madeleine selection is also a must.
More: 47 Pas St Georges, 33000 Bordeaux.
Best for fish: Le Petit Commerce
The decor at Le Petit Commerce is simple: a Formica bar near the entrance, an open kitchen at the back and a huge blackboard that displays the unusually large selection of starters and fish courses of the day. And the fish is extremely fresh, as you would expect from an operation that also has a stall across the street where you can sample plateau de fruits de mer or a few fresh oysters.
More: 2 Rue Parlement St Pierre, 33000 Bordeaux.
Posted by Collette | Uncategorized | Posted on October 19th, 2011
Full Day in Saint Emilion and Pomerol
09:30am : Meet your wine expert in the lobby of the hotel and drive along the Saint Emilion Route des Vins.
You will first stop at Chateau Beausejour Becot (1er Grand Cru Classé) for a private class on wine-tasting techniques. Then visit followed by a tasting of the wines of the vineyard.
During lunch at one of the most gourmet restaurant of Saint Emilion, the expert and the sommelier will explain how to perfectly pair wine with food.
In the afternoon, you will visit and taste the wines of another 1er Grand Cru Classe.
Then, your wine-expert will reveal all the secrets of St Emilion & Pomerol terroirs before a visit to one of the top Ten Pomerol vineyards.
After this full exploration of the St Emilion & Pomerol region, you will return to the hotel at 5:30 pm
My contacts in France will insure the best of the best!
Your special request are always welcome -
Questions? collette.peck@gmail.com
Posted by Collette | Uncategorized | Posted on October 4th, 2011
At a party, plan on one-half to two-thirds of a bottle of wine per guest.
Good picnic wines are bright, crisp wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc (my favorite), Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc.
For Barbecues, pick a Zinfandel, Syrah, or a zesty Chardonnay that’s bold and will stand up to rich flavors. Another bonus, they don’t have to be complicated or expensive. (The barbecue sauces and spice shouldn’t compete with the wine).
With Cabernets, avoid spicy foods. A Cabernet’s higher alcohol content adds heat, making it a poor combination. Cabernet goes well with beef, lamb, and goose, especially when cooked with herbs. It’s also a great match for brie, cheddar cheese and chocolate.
A vertical wine flight features different vintages of the same wine from the same producer. A horizontal wine flight features a particular grape varietal from different producers but all from the same vintage. These are wonderful ‘themed’ type wine tasting parties!
Always remember! When it comes to wine, I tell people to throw vintage charts out the window and invest in a corkscrew. The best way to learn about wine is in the drinking. – Alexis Lichine
Over the weekend I attended a party and someone brought a J.Lohr Estates Wildflower Valdiguie. I’ve never heard of the grape nor have I tasted it. I didn’t particularly care for it, but my husband enjoyed it. As in the winemakers comments below it was to be served chilled. I’ll try it again properly chilled perhaps it will improve for me.
WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS
This wine is vibrant and red-purple in color with bright aromas of boysenberry, Bing cherry, raspberry and pomegranate. The fruit complexion on the palate is equally bright, dominated by pomegranate and raspberry. Drink your last bottle just in time for the release of the new vintage! Serve chilled.
Steve Peck , red winemaker
Posted by Collette | Uncategorized | Posted on September 27th, 2011
Wednesday 21 September 2011 by Kerin O’Keefe
Italian vintners are in positive mood, with high hopes for an excellent vintage in 2011.
After severe heat and drought in the second part of August, which caused plant stress that greatly lowered yields, 2011 is expected to be 10-25% down in terms of quantity.
The pulling up of over 9000ha to reduce overall wine production is a contributing factor.
‘The Italian 2011 Harvest will probably be at an all-time low’ in terms of quantity, according to harvest reports just released by UIV (Unione Italiana Vini) and ISMEA (Istituto di Servizi per il Mercato Agricolo Alimentare).
UIV estimates that this year’s harvest will generate 42.3m hectolitres, 10% lower than 2010’s 46.7m hl.
The heat in the latter part of August also led to a very early harvest in much of Italy.
‘We started the harvest 20 days earlier than normal this year, the earliest ever for my winery,’ Pio Boffa of Piedmont’s Pio Cesare winery said.
Andrea Cecchi, whose family makes wine throughout Tuscany, says production will be between 10-25% lower this year. ‘Not only were there fewer grape bunches, but the yields from grape to wine are much lower because the grapes held less juice.’
As for quality, vintners are optimistic for an ‘excellent, vintage, with great structure and longevity’, as Boffa said.
Cecchi, agreed: 2011 holds great promise thanks to ‘naturally rich extraction and good structure’, he said.
In the south, Alessio Planeta of Sicily’s Planeta said ‘2011was ideal, especially for Sicily’s native grapes, Nero d’Avola, Frappato and Grecanico, which excel in hot, dry summers’
He compared 2011, at least in climatic terms, to the excellent 2001.
Posted by Collette | Uncategorized | Posted on September 20th, 2011
Wine, Antiquities & Wonders
The Taste of Bordeaux |
| Price Range: from $1,750 to $2,828 * |
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| * USD per person based on 2-4 people, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change. |
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Best savoured like any fine vintage, this gourmet culinary journey through the wine capital of the world is sure to stimulate the senses. Your travelers will discover the region’s rich history & gastronomic delights as they tour famous vineyards, the Chartrons district, UNESCO heritage sites, timeless Saint Emilion, the beaches of Arcachon & more. Vacationers study the art of French cuisine from an eminent chef, learn the history of oyster fishing from a local before a sampling seaside & visit more wineries than can be list! Featuring an elegant hotel, private transfers & plenty of time for self-exploration, this tour can be customized to please any appetite!
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SAMPLE of first few days itinery:
| Day 1 BordeauxFounded around the third century BC, the city thrived on its port activities, and building its wealth on the commercial expansion and colonial trade with the West Indies. Sites not to be missed when visiting Bordeaux include the Grand Theatre with its 18th century architecture. It is ideally located near the shopping heaven of Rue Sainte Catherine. It is also worth visiting St Andre Cathedral, Tour Pey-Berland and the Aquitaine Museum to appreciate Bordeaux’s rich history.Transfer using a local taxi (available and economical).
A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.
Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price).
Enjoy a two hour morning (shared) walking tour in the historical centre of Bordeaux (panoramic tour instead of walking tour on Wed & Sat) with a bilingual French-English speaking Guide. Enjoy lunch at leisure at any one of the numerous great restaurants in the centre before departing the city at 1.30pm for a 5 hour afternoon excursion to visit two vineyards in the area. Then enjoy a 3-course dinner (drinks not included) at the traditional “Restaurant ” BAUD & MILLET” or similar.
Enjoy dinner (included in tour price).
The Quality Sainte Catherine Hotel (3*) has a fantastic location in the heart of Bordeaux and just off Sainte Catherine Street, which is said to be the longest pedestrian street in Europe. It is set in an attractive 18th century building with modern decor throughout. Adjacent to the Grand Theatre, many attractions and famous restaurants are nearby the hotel. The on-site bar and restaurant provide excellent meals and drinks, ensuring a comfortable and pleasant stay for guest who base themselves in the hotel as they explore Bordeaux and its surroundings.
Overnight at Quality Hotel Sainte Catherine (3*). |
| Day 2 BordeauxEnjoy a full day with a 3 wine tastings private guided excursion to the UNESCO heritage town of Saint Emilion with your own vehicle and English speaking Driver/Guide. Here, you will visit of the underground monuments: the Monolithic Church, the Catacombs, The Trinity Chapel and the Hermitage, where, according to legend, Emilion spent 17 years. Enjoy time at leisure where you can choose from any number of great restaurants in town before a visit and wine-tasting of a number of wines from the St Emilion appellation.Some of the most famous wines from this area include Beauséjour Bécot, Villemaurine and Franc-Mayne. You will be brought back to your hotel at the end of the tour. |
Email today for updated pricing information: collette.peck@gmail.com
