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wineanddinosaur · 3 years ago

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Banville Wine Merchants: Celebrating Family With Every Bottle

Now more than ever, many are seeking to transform a simple toast into a special occasion. And what better way to celebrate the joys of life and the importance of family, both inherited and chosen, than with a bottle that honors generations of artisanship, superior quality, and a commitment to the land?

Family-owned Banville Wine Merchants (BWM), founded in 2004 by Lia Tolaini Banville, is a national importer with a passion for fine wines and spirits. A strong female leader in a male-dominated field, Lia sought to create a modern, independent business that pays homage to legacy estates, champions small producers, and boasts a label for every occasion. Honoring her deep connection to Italy with a diverse collection of elegant wineries, Banville has extended her import portfolio to over 50 hand-picked selections, stretching from the “Great Boot” to South America. So this season, raise a glass to great grapes and familial ties with a bottle from this impressive roster.

Lia Tolaini Banville (above), a strong female leader in a male-led industry, founded Banville Wine Merchants in 2004.

A Sumptuous Road Trip Through a Terroir That’s as Diverse as Italy Itself

Journeying through Italy’s Chianti Classico region brings wine lovers from the north near Florence down through the Chianti Classico communes to the southernmost commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, which is just seven miles east of Siena and 18 miles north of Montalcino. This area of Chianti Classico is known for producing wines of strength, elegance, and longevity and was the motive for choosing the Montebello and Vallenuova vineyards as the perfect home for Tolaini. Capitalizing on the varied elevation of the property’s natural, south-facing amphitheater, Pier Luigi Tolaini planted high-density vines in the prized Galestro soil and built a state-of-the-art winery in a renaissance Tuscan villa on the property. He understood the great potential that this land possessed and knew it was where he would realize his dream of making world-class wines.

Sustainable and organic farming practices are an important focus at Tolaini, as is showcasing Tuscany’s native variety, Sangiovese, with the estate’s single-vineyard Chianti Classico Gran Selezione and Tre Bicchieri-winning Vallenuova Chianti Classico. Pier Luigi had a great passion for Super Tuscans as he loved Bordeaux and the juicier Napa wines of the mid-1990s. His flagship wine, Picconero, is made from Cabernet Franc and Merlot and continues to garner rave reviews.

Tolaini epitomizes the concept of “family business” and today Pier Luigi’s daughter, Lia Tolaini Banville, is running the estate and preserving her father’s legacy while bringing new ideas and innovation, all while honoring the distinct terroir of Castelnuovo Berardenga.

Tolaini sits within the Chianti Classico area, known for producing wines of strength, elegance, and longevity.

Lia launched Donna Laura Wines in Castelnuovo Berardenga in 2004 to honor the legacy of her beloved aunt and mentor, Zia Laura. With each bottle, Lia captures the essence of conviviality, the Italian tradition of family together at mealtime. Wine is a part of each family meal and is as vital as bread and salt. Focusing on sustainable and organic farming practices that forgo harmful chemicals to insure a vibrant ecosystem, Donna Laura wines are an expression of the native Tuscan varietal, Sangiovese. Balanced and approachable, these wines are ideal for everyday enjoyment and a reminder of family and food and how they are synonymous at the Italian table.

Traveling from central Italy to the mountainous countryside of the northeast, at Cantina Terlano in South Tyrol each varietal is aged to optimization, whether that takes years or even decades. Here, winegrowing was introduced in pre-Roman times, the land long prized for its sunny climate and location above the floodplain. One of the oldest cooperatives in Italy, many growers and their families have worked with Terlano for over 100 years. Terlano is known for producing wines with incredible aging potential. The wines’ longevity is in part a result of the combination of the soils’ high mineral content –– Terlano’s vineyards are nestled within a rich volcanic rock, its porosity ensuring optimal soil drainage –– and old vines, as well as the rigorous selection of vibrant, fully mature grapes. The Selections are often held in large wooden barrels and left to age on the lees before bottling, allowing each to blossom into a wholly unique character and complexity.

Tradition and time-honored relationships, forged over almost two centuries of craftsmanship, are the pillars of success at Farina Wines. Located in the heart of Valpolicella Classica, the original historic region of Amarone and Ripasso winemaking in the Veneto, Farina is owned by Claudio and Elena Farina, two cousins who represent the third generation of this winemaking family, with the guidance of Sandro, Claudio’s father. With an ideal climate for grape-growing, thanks to the moderating influence of nearby Lake Garda and the fresh breezes from Monte Baldo and the Monti Lessini hills, Farina is well known for producing velvety, rich Amarone wines and vibrant Ripasso blends. All of Farina’s wines are made from varietals that are indigenous to the Veneto, including Corvina, which is known as the “queen“ of grapes here. Corvina, with its thick skin and loose bunches, is particularly well suited to the region’s traditional appassimento technique. After careful selection in the vineyard, the grapes are dried for a few months in a special room called a “fruttaio,” then gently pressed. Fermentation follows in stainless-steel tanks and then the wine ages in large, Slavonian oak barrels for a minimum of 24 months. This long, traditional winemaking process produces the signature Amarone wines that Farina is famous for — distinct, with a sophisticated structure that balances the traditional velvety, rich, unctuous beauty of this wine with a modern freshness.

Farina wines balance the traditional velvety, rich, unctuous beauty with a modern freshness.San Salvatore 1988 sits within Cilento National Park in the Campania region of southern Italy. The estate’s rich biodiversity, enhanced by its proximity to the sea and high-altitude vineyards, together create an ideal environment for crisp whites and expressive red wines made from varietals like Falanghina, Fiano, Greco, and Aglianico, which were originally introduced to the region by the ancient Greeks. Launched in 2006 by entrepreneur and hotelier Giuseppe Pagano, who named the project after his son, Salvatore, born in 1988, San Salvatore 1988 fuses the latest in winemaking techniques with organic sustainable farming — no artificial products or chemicals. Its power supply is from an onsite facility that helps to reduce the winery’s carbon footprint. Roaming the vineyards is a herd of 650 bufala (buffalo that supply milk for the Pagano family’s historic mozzarella production) that provide an all-natural fertilizer that aids in the integrated biodynamic cycle of complete recovery of the land. San Salvatore’s Pian di Stio Fiano has received the coveted Tre Bicchieri award from Gambero Rosso for the three most recent vintages.

A unique Mediterranean paradise with a strong and independent spirit, Sardinia has been home to Mario Pala and his family for many generations. Since 1950, Mario’s family has grown grapes on their estate in southeastern Sardinia in the town of Serdiana. Their eight vineyard sites encompass a wide range of terroirs from limestone hills overlooking the sea to sandy plots located just a few miles from the shore. The Pala family is passionate about making wine using organic farming practices that reflect the importance of terroir, tradition, and respect for the environment. A champion of native Sardinian varietals like Nuragus, Monica, and Bovale, Pala is also well known for its refreshing Vermentino and seductive Cannonau wines that honor the distinct terroir of this extraordinary island.

A World Apart

The MacDonald family and the te Pā team challenge themselves to champion new techniques of sustainable water management and soil regeneration.

A newer addition to the BWM family, New Zealand’s te Pā Family Vineyards was founded by Haysley MacDonald, who traces his ancestry to the early Māori settlers who landed in the Wairau Bar region some 800 years ago. In 2003, MacDonald transformed the family farm into vineyards, with the flagship Marlborough estate extending from the Lower Wairau Valley to newer plantings in the Awatere Valley. At the Seaside Reserve vineyard in the Lower Wairau Valley, resilient vines and a frost-free environment enable an earlier ripening of grapes, yielding crisp Sauvignon Blanc and flavorful Pinot Gris. At the Redwood Hills estate vineyard in the Awatere Valley sub-region, clay and stony loam soils produce vines with deep roots that pull from the coastal influences and sunshine to produce a distinctive white wine. As kaitiaki (stewards of the land), the MacDonald family and the te Pā team are committed to conservation, challenging themselves to champion new techniques of sustainable water management and soil regeneration.

Several hours and continents away, the family-run Argentinian Andeluna winery has adopted a similar approach to honoring the land. Located on the rocky terrain of Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza at the foot of the Andes, the winery’s name merges the words ANDE (the Andes) and LUNA (moon in Spanish) to evoke passion and magic, its high altitude literally elevating the label above all others. Initially founded in 2003, the Barale family-owned winery utilizes Gualtallary’s altitude and calcareous soil to produce reds with intense fresh and fruity expression. Focusing on heritage wines that capture the area’s unique terroir, the family has produced some of Argentina’s top Malbec and Cabernets.

Ultimately, what shines through in each of Banville Wine Merchant’s many producers is a commitment to community and a passion for locally sourced, lovingly cultivated vines. But no matter what your mood or desired flavor profile, there is something for everyone in Banville’s diverse portfolio. Maybe even a pairing for your next family get-together.

This article is sponsored by Banville Wine Merchants.

The article Banville Wine Merchants: Celebrating Family With Every Bottle appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/banville-wine-merchants/

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johnboothus · 4 years ago

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Wine 101: Sonoma

Inspired by one of VinePair’s most popular site sections, the Wine 101 Podcast takes an educational, easy-to-digest look into the world of wine. This episode of Wine 101 is sponsored by J Vineyards & Winery. For over 30 years, J Vineyards & Winery has developed a reputation as one of the top sparkling and varietal wine producers in California. With styles from bright and bubbly, to bold and complex, J wines offer remarkable range and exceptional craftsmanship that you’ll want to share. J has come to be known for its celebrated estate vineyards, contemporary winery, and world-class hospitality. Uncork joy with J, and let life bubble over.

Welcome back to Wine 101. In this week’s episode, VinePair tastings director Keith Beavers tackles the complicated region that is Sonoma County. Building on last week’s conversation about Napa Valley, Beavers dives back into American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), sub-AVAs, and why it’s so difficult to really define Sonoma County.

While Sonoma vintners are now required to print “Sonoma County” on a bottle before the specific AVA, Sonoma County itself is not an AVA. Twice the size of Napa Valley, it’s not even a region per se, but simply a county. Moreover, given the region’s diverse geography and geology, it’s impossible to assign one signature variety to the area. Instead, new vineyards are constantly popping up, new AVAs are applied for, and all industry is governed by what Beavers calls “the spirit of Sonoma.”

In this episode, Beavers traces Sonoma’s history back to the pioneering vintner Agoston Haraszthy, who emigrated from Hungary and introduced some of the first vineyards to Sonoma County. Today, Sonoma is celebrated for many different grapes, the creation of the farm-to-table movement, and an effort toward total sustainability. Beavers explains all of this and more in his effort to demystify the complicated, multi-faceted Sonoma County.

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My name is Keith Beavers. And the soup thing: Do we do it for dinner? Or do we do it for lunch? Or is it a “both” thing?

What’s going on, wine lovers? Welcome to Episode 25 of VinePair’s Wine 101 Podcast. My name is Keith Beavers. I am the tastings director of VinePair, and how are you, and you, and you, and you? So, I think we may know that Sonoma is the neighbor of Napa, but what is Sonoma, really? You know, like, what is it? How do we understand this region? And it’s crazy, guys. It’s nuts.

One thing we have to do first, is we got to get something out of the way here. Sonoma is crazy. It’s insane in the best way possible, but we gotta start here.

OK. Are you ready? Here we go. Northern Sonoma, Sonoma Coast, Fort Ross-Seaview, Petaluma Gap, Russian River Valley, Green Valley, Chalk Hill, Los Carneros, Sonoma Valley, Bennett Valley, Sonoma Mountain, Moon Mountain, Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile, Alexander Valley, Fountain Grove, Knights Valley, Pine Mountain.

When we think about Napa Valley, what we understand is there’s a valley with a certain amount (nine) AVAS on the valley floor. We also understand that there are six AVAs in the surrounding mountains. Another thing we understand about Napa Valley is that at one time, they were going to try to emulate Bordeaux with their communes.

We know that it’s sort of a fine-wine region, and we also understand there’s Napa Valley as an AVA, and within that AVA there are 16 sub-AVAs. That’s how it works. Or you can call Rutherford an AVA, or you can call Rutherford a sub-AVA of Napa Valley. And there’s a rule there in Napa Valley where you have to put Napa Valley on your wine label, and then Rutherford. There’s a rhyme and reason to it. There’s an organization to it. I just rattled off 18 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Those 18 viticultural areas live in Sonoma County. But here’s the rub: There is no overarching AVA that organizes the AVAs of Sonoma. What Sonoma is, is a patchwork of 18 different American Viticultural Areas, some of them within others. So they could be called regions of certain AVAs, but it’s not a cohesive, organized unit. I mean, there is some organization, which I’ll explain. But what Sonoma really is, and this is what’s really unique and interesting about Sonoma, Sonoma is a county filled with American Viticultural Areas. It’s not like in Europe or even other parts like Napa, or other parts of the country where you have like, “OK, this is the AVA, and this is the sub-AVA, and this is how it’s organized.” That’s not what it’s about. What Sonoma is about is the land and how crazy the land is, and how jarring it can be from the coast to the Sonoma mountains, to the Mayacamas Mountains, which border Napa. It’s basically like, since the early ’80s, winemakers and wine vine growers and wine people have been finding certain areas special for certain reasons, applying for AVAs, and being awarded AVAs.

And it’s still happening. The most recent AVA awarded to Sonoma was in 2017. It’s called the Petaluma Gap. So it’s ongoing. This is just because there’s so much potential, even though there’s awesome wine there already, there’s so much more potential in Sonoma that it could get, I don’t know, 15 more AVAs? I mean, that’s an exaggeration. Or is it? I don’t even know. So I really can’t in one episode of Wine 101 talk about all the AVAs in Sonoma County, because we’d talk about the AVAs and the individual-ness of them, but we wouldn’t understand Sonoma in general. So that would take about 45 minutes or a couple episodes.

So let me just give you a sense of Sonoma first, and then we’ll go from there. Sonoma County is 1,500 square miles. Napa Valley is 789 square miles. Kind of gives you a sense of that. If you look at the two of them side by side on the map, because they are side by side, Sonoma County is massive as a wine-growing region compared to Napa. The majority of the western border of Sonoma County is 50 miles of coastline of the Pacific Ocean. And this Pacific ocean influence is a huge factor in the wine-growing in Sonoma County. The southern border of Sonoma County is basically Marin County, but also the northwestern shore of the San Pablo Bay because it neighbors Napa to the west. And of course the San Pablo Bay does have an influence on some parts of Sonoma as well in the south. And the northern border is basically Mendocino County — by the way, Mendocino County makes great wine as well, it’s just not part of Sonoma. And the extreme western border of Sonoma County is the Mayacamas Mountains, which basically has a couple Napa AVAs in it and two Sonoma AVAs.

But the thing about Sonoma is, it’s massive. But even within its massive land, it has an extremely diverse geography and geology. It has mountains, it has valleys, it has what’s called “benchland,” like escarpments. It has amazing slopes in the hills of the mountains. The elevation goes from actual sea level on the coast, and as you go inland, it can get up to 2,600 feet above sea level, and then everywhere in between. It’s crazy. And because of all the tectonic activity in the past, the soil compositions throughout Sonoma are mind-boggling. And this is one of the reasons why people are always exploring different areas of Sonoma and finding like, “Hey, let’s turn this into an AVA.”

OK. This can get a little science-y, but just bear with me for a second. You have soil, right? And then you have other layers of soil that can form on top of that soil. That original layer of soil is called the parent material. And then the other layers of soil are called the topography, and everything that happens in that soil, from the influence of climate to the organisms, the organisms that live in that soil, to the time that soil has been around, affects the formation of that soil. It’s called a formation type. And Sonoma has 11 of them. And among these soil formations — what winemakers and vine growers really love — are these things called soil series. It’s soils that are similar to each other within formations, that grow together, that help the winemaker understand how the vine is going to grow in that soil.

I know it’s really insane, but what’s crazy is, of the 11 formation types in Sonoma, there are 31 different kinds of soil series. And within those soil series, there are innumerable amounts of differences within that. I mean, it’s kind of mind-boggling. And among all of that, among those 1,500 square miles and coastline and all of these different soil compositions and elevations, over 425 wineries grow 60 different kinds of varieties of grape.

But all of that is only 6 percent of the county’s “land under vine.” I mean, I say 60 varieties, but it’s really just Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. These are just the list that you get in California a lot, especially in Northern California. This is just what they grow.

But the thing is, in every AVA in America, you can do whatever you want. If someone wanted to grow Grüner Veltliner in Sonoma, they could do it if they wanted to. But these are the grapes that work best in the area, according to the people that grow grapes and make wine there. And among the 18 AVAs in this region, this county, AVAs are designated for their soil types, their elevation, but also, “What does well there?” And yes, there are just AVAs that are known for Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. Alexander Valley is known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel. Bennett Valley is known for Merlot, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Dry Creek Valley is known for Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvigon Blanc. And Knights Valley is known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. But that doesn’t mean that’s the only thing they can grow and make there. They can do whatever they want. And that’s where the 60 varieties come from.

Because also something to know about Sonoma: This place is one of the first areas where vines were really grown for wine in Northern California. This area has such a rich history of not only vine-growing and winemaking, but even before that is agriculture. My gosh, I mean, Petaluma is the chicken capital of the world. There is sustainable farming going on all over this Sonoma area. Actually in the 1960s, during the formation of the farm-to-table movement, Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, she basically sourced everything from the Sonoma Valley. So it’s kind of like the whole farm-to-table thing began in the Sonoma County area. It’s crazy.

Then when you’re driving around Sonoma — I have family in Petaluma, so I’ve been to Sonoma a few times and I got to say, when you’re driving around, you don’t really know where you are half the time because there’s no cellphone signal half the time when you’re driving around Sonoma. It’s not rugged, but it’s that deep into elevations where you’re just going through valleys and hills and valleys and “Oh, there’s a vineyard.” It’s crazy. “Well, here’s a farm.” It’s really beautiful and awesome and spectacular.

And the wine that comes out of here is just all over the place. I mean, there are Pinot Noirs that are big and huge and fleshy in the Russian River Valley. There are lighter Pinot Noirs made in the south in Los Carneros, which is a region that’s shared with Napa Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon, grown in Rockpile all the way north toward Mendocino County, is big and structured and beautiful, very different from the Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Sonoma Valley all the way to the south, which is warmer and just softer and supple.

It’s just all over the place. And when you drive into Sonoma, the downtown area, it’s like this little Sonoma square, you’re just scratching the surface. You’re in the southeastern part of Sonoma. And if you just sit in the middle of the square of Sonoma and you look north to northwest, that is the vast land I’m talking about. And it’s just crazy. Agriculture has been a huge part of Sonoma for a very long time. Back in the day in 1812, when the Russians were here in this area and they settled at something called Fort Ross, which is near where Fort Ross AVA is, they’re credited with sort of starting the whole agricultural thing around here.

They’re known for planting these apple trees that are very famous in this area — the Gravenstein apple trees. But as Sonoma became more and more settled, dairy, poultry, vegetables, oats, rye, apples, cattle, you name it. This place has all this stuff. And just to this day, wine is like a $500 million business. It’s insane. But just behind that is milk, then there’s poultry and cattle. I mean the milk industry is like $146 million a year, and it’s sustainable. And what’s really wild about Sonoma is, whether it’s wine or milk or poultry, they’re trying to go 100 percent sustainable. And that is where with the wine, we have a little bit of organization going on here. Because the wine AVAs are so scattered throughout.

And it’s really just about the land and about the terroir, if you will. But there is this idea where we have “Sonoma County.” So now, as of 2011, you have to put Sonoma County on your wine label and then you put the appellation. But the thing is, Sonoma County is not an AVA. Sonoma County is just the county. I mean, there are sub-AVAs in Sonoma, but they are sub-AVAs of some of the other AVAs. So for example, the Northern Sonoma AVA has six AVAs within it: Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Chalk Hill, Russia River Valley, and Green Valley. Within the Russian River Valley, we have the sub-AVA of the Green Valley, which is actually called the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley. And Fort Ross-Seaview is a sub-AVA of Sonoma Coast. And it goes on, and on, and on.

And I know you’re like, OK, this is really cool and all, but like, how do we understand Sonoma? And that’s the thing, guys. I think we have to explore Sonoma piece by piece. When you go to the wine shop, if you’re going online, or if I have another opportunity to go digging into each of these AVAs, just explore the AVAs. Get a sense of them. Some of the areas are warmer. Some of them are cooler. Some have higher elevations. There’s higher acidity, like I said, it’s kind of all over the place. But the beauty of it is that it’s all great wine. These winemakers are geeking out on all these areas, and we get to enjoy their geekiness. It’s just a really unique place in America where wine is made.

And there are a lot of pioneering winemakers in Sonoma. Sonoma is really what began the rebirth of the wine culture and the winemaking culture in California. And there’s a lot of people that contributed to this, but there’s this one guy, this one dude from Hungary that did a lot of work in wine in America.

And he made his way from Hungary to Wisconsin, from Wisconsin all the way to California, Southern California, and then to San Francisco. And then eventually up into what is now Sonoma County. This man’s name was Agoston Haraszthy. He was not just a winemaker. He was a businessman, a pioneer, you name it. This guy was a horticulturist. He was all over the place, but he was a big business guy. And when he left Hungary and came to the United States, he ended up first in Wisconsin. And he loves wine. He actually built a town in Wisconsin, he started a ferry business, but wine was a big deal for Agoston Haraszthy.

This is around the early 1800s. This guy’s story is incredible, and it’s really long, but it’s so cool. Some highlights here. One of the things he did is he brought a lot of wine knowledge from Europe to the United States. And the idea when you go to Sonoma or any wine region really now in the United States, and there is somebody when you walk into a hill and that’s where people are aging their wine, that was Agoston Haraszthy’s idea. He just brought that idea. He started it in Wisconsin, actually; there are wineries in Wisconsin where he was boring holes into hills. And by the time he made it to California, he continued that sort of thing. Actually, he landscaped Sonoma so much, it actually got a little bit out of hand. But he was the first to really open a commercial winery in Sonoma, calling it Buena Vista.

It was an old winery that he bought and converted it. And he’s also the guy who hired Charles Krug as a consultant to help make wine and got his career started. He set up his own viticultural society. He also became the president of California’s Agricultural Society. And at some point, he went back to Europe and came back with well over a hundred vines and brought them to Sonoma. And the spirit of Agoston Haraszthy is exploration, experimentation, and trying new things. It’s all Agoston ever did. The poor guy at some point went bankrupt, went down to South America, disappeared, and was never seen again. It’s an awesome story. But what he brought to this place was this sort of rebel spirit, that sort of exploratory spirit.

I think that’s what Sonoma has to this day. It’s constantly exploring its very diverse geology, topography, and elevations and trying to find new places to plant vines. ‘Cause it’s almost like Sonoma is the ultimate vine-growing American experiment. There’s other places in California and the United States that do this. Absolutely. But Sonoma, it’s mostly wine these days, but there’s also still that other agriculture and livestock and farming going on. It’s just all of it at once. And in addition to that, in the areas that agriculture doesn’t work, vines do, and that’s the spirit of Sonoma.

And I know this episode is a little bit different, right? Usually I explain everything to you so you understand it, but that’s what’s so cool about Sonoma is you kind of have to just play around. ‘Cause that’s what they’re doing. They’re playing around. I mean, they’re smart, but they’re playing around. They’re making really cool stuff. This is great Pinot Noir. Great Chardonnay. Great Sauvignon Blanc. Great Merlot. Great Cabernet Sauvignon. There’s great Syrah going on there. There’s amazing Zinfandel happening there.

And with each of those varieties, there’s different styles within Sonoma County alone. And yes, I did say those other 60 varieties are happening. Those are being experimented with, so at some point down the road, we might have a Grüner Veltliner that does really well in a certain new rocky region, somewhere in the northern part of Sonoma County, who knows? And the other great thing about Sonoma is that it’s easier for us to understand “this variety does well here, so we fall in love with it.” You know, Riesling for New York, Cabernet Sauvignon for Napa, Pinot Noir in Willamette, Ore. But you know, there are certain AVAs that are very popular from Sonoma — for example, the Russian River Valley is really known for its Pinot Noir — but there’s other stuff going on in Sonoma that’s not just one grape.

So Sonoma is not known for one grape. It’s known for many different regions that make a short list of grapes, but experiment with all kinds of stuff. I think it’s really great. So even though this episode was a little meandering at times, I hope you get a sense of Sonoma and really get a chance to fall in love with it, whether you’re buying it online, or if you go into a wine shop.

If you’re digging what I’m doing, picking up what I’m putting down, go ahead and give me a rating on iTunes or tell your friends to subscribe. You can subscribe. If you like to type, go ahead and send a review or something like that, but let’s get this wine podcast out so that everybody can learn about wine.

Check me out on Instagram. It’s @vinepairkeith. I do all my stuff in stories. And also, you got to follow VinePair on Instagram, which is @vinepair. And don’t forget to listen to the VinePair Podcast, which is hosted by Adam and Zach. It’s a great deep dive into drinks culture every week.

Now, for some credits. How about that? Wine 101 is recorded and produced by yours truly, Keith Beavers, at the VinePair headquarters in New York City. I want to give a big shout-out to co-founders Adam Teeter and Josh Malin. I also want to thank Danielle Grinberg for making the most legit Wine 101 logo.

And I got to thank Darby Cicci for making this amazing song: Listen to this epic stuff. And finally, I want to thank the VinePair staff for helping me learn more every day. Thanks for listening. I’ll see you next week.

Ed. note: This episode has been edited for length and clarity.

The article Wine 101: Sonoma appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/wine-101-sonoma/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/wine-101-sonoma

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jesseleon566 · 2 years ago

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Who is Ty Caton? Read the story of our Founder and Proprietor, the person behind the magic of Ty Caton Vineyards. Ty Caton set out on a mission to bring the best Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon to life. Actively seeking excellence, Ty used his family vineyard, located in the Moon Mountain District, to produce stunning estate wines. Learn more about Ty Caton.

#Best Wine Clubs to Join #moon mountain cabernet sauvignon

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k1reynolds · 7 years ago

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Our Wednesday evening drive over to Santa Rosa for the 10th Annual Wine Bloggers Conference (#WBC17) was dark and rainy. We were unsure what to expect when we awoke Thursday morning for our excursion to Hanna Winery and Vineyards; other than an exciting and educational winery tour, and delicious catered meal with wines to match, of course.

Thursday dawned dry and only partly cloudy. It was a perfect day for a trip to wine country. As we rode on the bus out to Alexander Valley and the Hanna Winery and Vineyards Tasting Room, we saw the results of the devastation of the fires that had ravaged the area just weeks before. Yet we also saw the rebuilding that had already begun. With the sun peeking through the clouds, we could almost feel the hope and resilience we saw around us.

The drive through the autumn colors of the vineyards was breathtaking, and turning up the driveway to climb the hill to the Tasting Room we were taken by the beauty. Hanna Winery and Vineyards sits atop a hill with a 360 degree of the surrounding valley. The views were amazing! As we entered, we were greeted by friendly, smiling staff with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Soon, our host, Christine Hanna welcomed us and provided some history of the family winery.

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Founded in 1985 by Dr. Elias Hanna, Christine’s father, the land was originally planted to French Colombard grapes. Soon, the family discovered that the land was well-suited to other grapes that could be crafted into world-class wines. As the operation grew, Christine took the reigns as president in 1993, and has continued to lead the way as the winery has grown and expanded its influence.

Hanna Winery and Vineyards wines are estate grown on three vineyards in the area. In the Russian River Valley, the flagship Home Ranch Vineyards grows Chardonnay and Pinot Noir on its 25 acres, while Slusser Road Vineyard, 50 acres in size, is planted to Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Red Ranch Vineyard, in Alexander Valley, is 88 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. Bismark Mountain Vineyard, high in Sonoma Valley in the Moon Mountain AVA, grows Zinfandel and Bordeaux varietals.

Christine related the story of how, in an effort to develop the Bismark Mountain Vineyard site, she had to overcome the challenges of accessing a high mountain site without the benefit of such amenities as roads and electricity. Helicopters were involved, and she was successful in bringing this spectacular vineyard into existence.

Christine introduced us to Hanna’s winemaker, Jeff Hinchliffe, who took over the presentation and eventually led us down to the fermentation and barrel room on site for some barrel tasting. Jeff has been the winemaker since 1998. He explained how the varying terrain of the vineyards influences the flavor and profile of the grapes and wines. Jeff is clearly passionate about winemaking, while remaining distinctly humble. Jeff says that “wine will make itself, if you let it.” Jeff is especially enthusiastic about Malbec. He says Malbec wines are easy to make, but the grapes are not easy to grow. Still, he and Hanna Winery are quite successful at it, and produce a number of Malbec varietal wines. In addition, their Cabernet blend contains 25% Malbec.

Perhaps the highlight of the barrel tasting was our opportunity to sample one of the rarest vitis vinifera grapes in the world. Once common in Bordeaux wine production, St. Macaire was virtually wiped out by the phylloxera epidemic, and thought to be extinct. However, St. Macaire was not ready to be relegated to an historic footnote. Jeff discovered that a nearby vineyard had a half-acre planted to the grape. The vineyard owner provided some cuttings, and Jeff planted a half-acre of St. Macaire at Hanna. They plan to release their first vintage of this wine soon, but we were able to get a taste of the still-developing juice. The wine is inky purple, nearly black in color. Though still very young, with high acidity and tight tannins, the wine was aromatic and flavorful. At this stage, there were significant green, spicy, vegetal notes along with some black fruit. Jeff asked around the room for descriptors. Responses included cassis, eucalyptus, and menthol. I hope to get a sample of the finished product once bottled and released.

Back upstairs and into the tasting room, it was time for a delightful lunch. The table was exquisitely set, and the multiple stemware glasses at each place setting spoke of good things to come! The meal was exquisitely catered by Chef Heidi West, with each course paired with one or two Hanna Winery selections.

The meal was superb, the setting spectacular, and the hosts unparalleled in warm hospitality. Enjoy the photo montage of the meal, and try not to drool on your screen!

FIRST COURSE PLATED

2015 Hanna Russian River Chardonnay

Baby Spinach Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Toasted Sliced Almonds, Pickled Red Onion and Warm Bacon Dressing

MAIN COURSE FAMILY STYLE

2015 Elias Pinot Noir/2014 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Porchetta with Salsa Rosamarina, Soft Creamy Polenta with Fresh Corn, Marscapone, Pecorino and Parmesan

Haricot Vert with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Sea Salt

DESSERT PLATED

2014 Bismark Cabernet Sauvignon

Flourless Chocolate Cake with Fresh Raspberries

If you are in Sonoma County wine country, it’s definitely worth a trip to visit the fantastic people at Hanna Winery and Vineyards. Take in the spectacular views, and enjoy some amazing wines.

Cheers!

By Kent Reynolds

Photos by Kent Reynolds and Robyn Raphael

An Excursion to Hanna Winery & Vineyards #WBC17 Our Wednesday evening drive over to Santa Rosa for the 10th Annual Wine Bloggers Conference (#WBC17) was dark and rainy.

#cabernet sauvignon #Catered Lunch #Hanna Winery #Pinot Noir #sauvignon blanc #Sonoma County #Sonoma Strong #St. Macaire #Wine #Wine Blog #Wine Blogger Conference #Wine Country #Wine Pairing Meal #Wine Tasting #Wine Tour #Wine Tourism

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jesseleon566 · 2 years ago

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The Moon Mountain District is located on the western slopes of the Mayacamas in Sonoma Valley. It’s a spectacular region that offers the perfect terroir for phenomenal wines. Learn more about this unique AVA.

#Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

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wineanddinosaur · 4 years ago

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Wine 101: Sonoma

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My name is Keith Beavers. And the soup thing: Do we do it for dinner? Or do we do it for lunch? Or is it a “both” thing?

One thing we have to do first, is we got to get something out of the way here. Sonoma is crazy. It’s insane in the best way possible, but we gotta start here.

Ed. note: This episode has been edited for length and clarity.

The article Wine 101: Sonoma appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/wine-101-sonoma/

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haybug1 · 6 years ago

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What To Drink Now: Sonoma Valley

Monte Rosso Vineyard 100+-year-old vine Zinfandel

Just a baker’s dozen long from north to south, Sonoma Valley delivers diversity producing everything from classic Bordeaux and Burgundy varieties, to wines made from vines brought over generations ago from Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Rhone Valley, and Spain.

Annually the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growersjoin together in celebration of this…

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#Buena Vista #Cabernet Sauvignon #KXAS #Laurel Glen #Louis M. Martini #Monte Rosso #Moon Mountain AVA #Repris #Signature Sonoma Valley #Sonoma Valley #wine #wine on TV

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wineanddinosaur · 6 years ago

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Meet the Unexpected: This Winemaker Is Using Biodynamics to Elevate Chile’s Most Popular Grape

This article and the Meet the Unexpected series are brought to you by Wines of Chile. Taste the Unexpected.

“Being a winemaker is a kind of passport for me,” Noelia Orts, winemaker at Emiliana in Chile, says. “The connection with nature, being in the vineyard tasting, traveling, moving here and there and learning — it all inspired me.”

Orts, who originally hails from Spain, studied wine in Valencia and worked in New Zealand before landing in Chile’s Casablanca Valley, where she has been Emiliana’s winemaker since 2011. Though the winery is set amidst Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay country, Emiliana is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon, which it grows biodynamically in the Colchagua and Maipo Valleys.

For Orts, it’s this chance to make Cabernet Sauvignon in Colchagua, and her pursuit of sustainable viticulture, that made her decide to call Chile her home. “This is where I spend most of my time because that is where I live,” she says of the vineyards where she biodynamically farms Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Syrah, Carménère, and other red grapes.

“The vineyard has beautiful oaks and it’s where Coyam was born, the first organic wine that Emiliana made back in 2001,” she says. Coyam, which means “Chilean oak” in Mapuche, the indigenous language of this area of Chile, is Emiliana’s signature Cabernet Sauvignon-based red wine.

Ge, a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carménère, and Merlot, gets its moniker from the Greek word for “earth.” Orts does not filter the wine, but does let it rest in the bottle for a year before it’s released. Ge is more powerful than Coyam, Orts says, and showcases what a biodynamic vineyard can do. “This wine presents a very good representation of what is happening in Chile, the organic future that grows in the Chilean vineyards,” she says.

Emiliana is the largest grower of organic grapes in the country. An agricultural philosophy the team has employed for almost two decades, biodynamics is ingrained in how Emiliana’s winemakers approach their craft in the vineyards, and in how they describe their wines to customers.

Biodynamics is a method of farming, from vineyard to post-harvest, that focuses on the interconnectivity of everything in nature. While similar to organic farming, it takes a more holistic view of how everything interacts, including the soil, plant life, livestock, other organisms, and even the stars. Beyond steps like composting and avoiding artificial pesticides, biodynamic agriculture includes a strict planting and harvesting calendar based on moon cycles and guidelines for production in the winery. Proponents of the method believe that it keeps soils healthier, thereby increasing the quality of the crops, and leads to cleaner, superior wines.

Biodynamics came to Emiliana via consulting winemaker Alvaro Espinoza, who developed the winery’s first organic vineyard projects in 2000. Espinoza had previously worked at organic wineries in California, and so he had run in the same circles as Sonoma winemakers Alan York and Mike Benzinger, who were known for biodynamic advocacy.

Espinoza was drawn to the idea of biodynamics because of it reminded him of a functional family. To create a perfect family, you have everything you need organically, all the identities and personalities, without adding anything from the outside, Orts says. Similarly, in a biodynamic winery, everything has its place in the ecosystem. Each component works together without adding in foreign substances or materials.

Orts had not worked with biodynamics prior to joining the team at Emiliana. Biodynamics had not been discussed in her winemaking courses nor at her initial job making Cava in Spain. In fact, she says, it’s still not often discussed in agricultural schools.

For Orts, it’s this chance to make Cabernet Sauvignon in Colchagua, and her pursuit of sustainable viticulture, that made her decide to call Chile her home.

“When you work with biodynamics, you do much more than producing good, chemical-free grapes,” Orts says. “You learn to work with nature, to interpret nature, and to increase the biodiversity of nature. It’s about avoiding a monoculture and allowing natural conservation.”

Emiliana’s biodynamic processes are best exemplified in Orts’ premium red wines, which regularly see stellar points from top critics. All the grapes are grown biodynamically in the Los Robles vineyard in the Colchagua Valley, and offer a unique look at the terroir of the region. The vineyard, Los Robles, is not only farmed organically and biodynamically; it also sits along a mountain range that stretches from the coast inland to the Andes Mountains. It’s a fusion of the area’s general Mediterranean climate with high-altitude characteristics: various slopes, different soils among the hillsides, and higher elevations that tend to produce superior fruit. Emiliana employs high-density irrigation in the vineyards and natural fermentation in the cellar. It also doesn’t extract.

Emiliana’s success reflects a larger trend within Chilean wine. Increasingly wineries are practicing sustainable or organic practices. Chile’s natural barriers created by the Atacama Desert (north), Andes Mountains (east), Patagonian ice caps (south), and Pacific Ocean (west), create an isolated, viticultural paradise – free of phylloxera and difficult for certain bacteria and molds to grow; perfect for sustainable and organic winemaking. At present, 70 percent of wines exported from Chile are sustainably made, and by 2025, Chile aims to be the No. 1 producer of sustainable wines in the world. For Emiliana, the biodynamic aspect of its production is very relevant to its brand DNA. “I travel a lot, and I’m seeing a very high interest in learning about biodynamics from consumers,” Orts says. “We don’t always use it as a tool because it’s difficult to explain. But the younger people, they are all familiar with organic. They are bringing organic into their lives. It’s not as difficult for them to understand.” It is clear that sustainability practices is the direction of the Chilean wine industry in general. As Orts explains, it is not a marketing tool; sustainability is important to the earth and the vines with which winemakers farm every day.

“There are a few other wineries becoming biodynamic, and I hope there are more because it’s something good for the earth, good for the wines, and it’s going to be good for Chile,” Orts adds. “It’s going to be better for the image and quality of wines in Chile.”

This article is sponsored by Wines of Chile. Taste the Unexpected.

The article Meet the Unexpected: This Winemaker Is Using Biodynamics to Elevate Chile’s Most Popular Grape appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/meet-the-unexpected-this-winemaker-is-using-biodynamics-to-elevate-chiles-most-popular-grape/

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wineanddinosaur · 6 years ago

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The World’s Top 10 Wine Destinations for 2019

With over 70 wine-producing nations worldwide, and innumerable subregions and appellations, choosing where to take your next wine-fueled vacation can be tricky.

To create the ultimate list of wine travel destinations for 2019, we analyzed trends and tourism developments worldwide. We love Napa, Bordeaux, and Tuscany, but we wanted to highlight regions beyond those usual suspects. Taking a step off the beaten path reveals hidden gems, and the opportunity to produce envy-inducing Instagram stories.

Pack a suitcase, and be sure to leave plenty of room to bring back your favorite bottles. Here are the 10 wine travel destinations that should be on your radar this year.

10. Moldova

Moldova’s capital, Chisinau, is just a two-hour flight from London, Milan, and Vienna, yet the country remains one of the world’s least-visited tourist destinations. Things are slowly changing on that front, however, and Moldova’s National Bureau of Statistics reported a roughly 20 percent hike in visitors in 2018 — fueled, in part, by wine tourism.

Wine is everywhere in Moldova. The four main regions (Condru, Valul lui Traian, Stefan Voda, and northern Balti) are all within a one- or two-hour drive from the capital, and somewhere between 20 and 25 percent of Moldovans are employed in the wine trade.

The international airport is named after fermented grape juice and Moldova is home to the world’s largest wine cellar, which is a staggering 150 miles long and contains over 2 million bottles. The cellar is so big, in fact, that it hosts an annual 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) wine run.

9. Macedonia, Greece

Hard-to-pronounce Greek varieties like Assyrtiko and Agiorgitiko have cemented themselves on many American wine lists in recent years. The island regions of Santorini and Crete are popular, too, among in-the-know winos. Yet it’s Greek Macedonia, located in the north of the country in the mainland, that’s vying to become your next Greek wine destination.

Orient yourself near the ancient port city of Thessaloniki, where wine grapes such as local native variety Xinomavro have been grown for thousands of years. Highly tannic, with bracing acidity, the grape is Greece’s answer to Nebbiolo and looks set to see a surge in interest now that the country’s winemaking credentials are firmly established. Greek Macedonia has multiple established wine routes to explore, and an international airport with affordable connecting flights arriving via Istanbul. Book your break now and beat the impending crowds.

8. Valais, Switzerland

Little of Switzerland’s high-quality wine production leaves its borders because of the strength of its prohibitively expensive currency. If you want to sample some of the country’s fine Pinot Noirs, therefore, or wines made from flagship white variety Chasselas, a Swiss vacation is your best bet.

Located on the Alpine upper stretches of the Rhône River, the Valais region contains a large portion of Switzerland’s wineries and is responsible for roughly half of total production.

The surrounding mountains, including the symbolic Matterhorn peak, shelter the region’s best vineyards (Domaine des Muses, Domaine Gérald Besse, and Domaine Jean-René Germanier, to name a few) and also house numerous tourism solutions in the form of upscale Alpine resorts. The Grand Hotel Zermatterhof and Mont Cervin Palace offer luxury accommodations, with matching price tags and equally heart-stopping views of the nearby Matterhorn. Hotel-Restaurant Didier de Courten provides a modest but no-less-pleasant alternative.

7. Uruguay

Like neighboring Argentina, Uruguay is a meat- and wine-lovers’ nirvana. Unlike Argentina, however, it receives little attention for its winemaking prowess, despite being South America’s fourth-largest producer. If you have sampled one of its wines, chances are it was a bottle of grippy, full-bodied Tannat, a variety that is to Uruguay what Malbec is to Argentina and Carménère to Chile.

Uruguay has plenty to offer besides tannic reds, though. Bodega Garzón, in the Maldonado region, champions Albariño, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and Pinot Gris, and offers world-class food pairings at its nearby luxury hotel and restaurant, courtesy of Francis Mallmann of Chef’s Table fame.

The Maldonado region is home to picturesque coastal towns and beaches, as well as wineries Viña Eden and Alto de la Ballena. It’s easily accessible via direct flights out of Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo. Alternatively, combine a trip to Maldonado with a visit to Buenos Aires, which lies a short ferry ride across the Río de la Plata.

6. Tasmania, Australia

A 25,000-square-mile state 150 miles off the south coast of Australia, Tasmania garners international attention for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and produces some of the country’s leading sparkling wines. Emerging Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris plantings prove the versatility of the terroir in Australia’s southernmost state.

Almost all Tasmanian wineries offer tours and tastings, though it’s a good idea to call in advance. See Pooley Wines and Freycinet Vineyards for the region’s leading Rieslings, Domaine A for Sauvignon Blanc (and intriguing Cabernets), and Derwent Estate for über-hip, skin-contact Pinot Gris.

Tasmania’s winemaking pedigree is complemented by a burgeoning culinary scene. Seafood-focused Franklin, and farm-to-table restaurants like Dier Makr and the Agrarian Kitchen Eatery & Store lead the pack. Hobart, the island’s capital, also enjoys a lively music and arts scene and is home to the nation’s oldest brewery, Cascade, for when the time comes to enjoy lower-ABV bubbles.

5. Israel

Israel’s relationship with wine stretches back thousands of years, yet its modern-day reputation as a producer revolves around kosher bottles of varying quality. A new generation of winemakers is hoping to change this, embracing state-of-the-art winemaking techniques and limiting production to the cooler northern regions, such as Galilee, which includes Upper Galilee, Lower Galilee, and the Golan Heights.

California native Victor Schoenfeld heads the winemaking operation at the award-winning Golan Heights Winery. A graduate of UC Davis, Schoenfeld gained experience at critically acclaimed international wineries, including Robert Mondavi in Napa Valley, Chateau St. Jean in Sonoma Valley, and Champagne house Jacquesson & Fils, before joining Golan Heights in 1992. The winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon-driven bottlings are arguably the region’s finest.

A handful of wineries, such as Bethlehem’s Cremisan Wine Estate, shun international varieties in favor of native grapes like Baladi (red), and Marawi, Jandali, and Dabouki (white).

Recanati Winery, which was a key factor in restoring native white grape Marawi, splits production between French-style blends and indigenous varieties. The winery released its inaugural Marawi bottling in 2014.

Israel has just over 50 commercial wineries in total and spans 260 miles north to south, and 70 miles east to west. A side trip to the Israel’s wine countries can easily be incorporated into visits to Tel Aviv, which is served by direct flights from major U.S. cities including Washington, San Francisco, New York/Newark, and more.

4. Elqui Valley, Chile

For a total of two minutes on July 2, 2019, the moon will completely obscure daylight as it passes between Earth and the sun. Chile’s wine-producing Elqui Valley is one of the world’s best locations to witness this year’s breathtaking total solar eclipse.

Situated 300 miles north of the capital, Santiago, the Elqui Valley runs from the Pacific coastal city of La Serena to the Andes Mountain range and Argentine border. The country’s northernmost wine region makes expressive varietal wines from Carménère, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah. It’s also Chile’s leading pisco-producing region.

In the heart of the valley lies the village of Pisco Elqui. With a number of hotels and pisco distilleries, and close access to the valley’s nearby wineries, it’s the best location to plan your visit around. But a two-hour bus ride to the nearest airport in La Serena, or a five-hour drive to Santiago, mean that careful planning before visiting is advisable.

Choose Casona Distante for a romantic hotel break, or consider Refugios La Frontera and Elqui Domos, which each have private observatories. Check in advance that the region’s premier wineries, Viña Falernia and Cavas del Valle, are receiving guests during your stay, likewise with pisquerías Aba Distillery, Pisco Mistral, Fundo Los Nichos, and the Capel Distillery in nearby Vicuña.

3. Provence, France

Rosé. All. Day. Drink in the hottest trend of 2018 (and, by all estimates, 2019, too) in its geographic and cultural apex. The leading vines for rosé production are firmly rooted in the soils of southern France’s Provence region and there’s nowhere better to enjoy the light and refreshing wine than on the very shores from which it hails.

A patchwork of lavender fields stretching from the Rhône River to the Italian border, Provence has picturesque seaside and mountains and more than 400 vineyards. Wineries such as Château de Berne and Domaine de Fontenille pair blush pink tastings with local fine cuisine.

The old port city of Marseille is a vibrant base camp. It’s home to the three-Michelin-starred, Le Petit Nice, celebrated for its multi-course tasting menu based entirely around the city’s most famous dish: bouillabaisse. The family-run establishment (which recently celebrated its centenary) also offers luxury accommodations in the form of two boutique five-star villas. Yes, you are here for rosé, but don’t even think about leaving the city without sampling local-favorite pastis, on the rocks with ice-cold mineral water.

Nearby Arles provides a quieter alternative. Check out the Foundation Vincent Van Gogh and Musée Réattu, or head to the Musée de l’Arles Antique and Museon Arlaten for ancient artifacts. (Arles has a more than 2000-year history, with original Roman ruins still scattered throughout the city.)

2. Finger Lakes, N.Y.

The Finger Lakes proves that top-quality oenotourism exists on America’s East Coast. Riesling production leads the way, but other new and exciting bottlings — such as Dr. Konstantin Frank’s amber Rkatsiteli, Forge Cellars Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Francs from Domaine LeSeurre and Hermann J. Wiemer — are emerging all the time.

Production is centered around the Keuka, Cayuga, and Seneca Lakes, three of the 11 that give the region its name. Dr. Konstantin Frank, located on the west side of Keuka Lake, and Hermann J. Wiemer, on Seneca Lake, are the region’s pioneering wineries, not to be missed during your visit. Weis Vineyards, Boundary Breaks, and Standing Stone are other exciting winemakers to check out while you’re in the area.

The Finger Lakes craft beer scene, is flourishing, too. Two Goats Brewing (Seneca Lake), Prison City Brewing (Auburn), and Abandon Brewing (Penn Yan) are just a few of the numerous worthwhile departures from the wine route, for when you’ve had your fill of Riesling for the day. (See also Finger Lakes Beer Trail for a handy map of the region’s 70-plus breweries.)

1. Sherry Triangle, Spain

Somm-favorite sherry might not enjoy mainstream popularity (yet!), but the category offers the complexity and ageability we look for in premium white wines at a fraction of the price. The only thing holding it back? Sherry’s numerous styles, which are tricky to navigate and can be easily off-putting. The best way to fully appreciate and savor the category is to visit the bodegas of El Marco de Jerez. (You can thank us when you get back).

El Marco de Jerez, a.k.a. the Sherry Triangle, is situated a one-hour train ride south of Seville, in a sun-soaked corner of Andalusia. Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and El Puerto de Santa María are the three cities which define the triangle’s borders, and all of the region’s sherry blending and aging takes place in bodegas (wineries) within them.

The name sherry is actually an anglicization of Jerez, the inland city that has some of the most well-known sherry bodegas. Tío Pepe is one example, located a short walk from the city’s central square, La Plaza del Arenal. The bodega has a list of tour options, including a one-and-a-half-hour tour and tasting, a biking tour of local vineyards, and a ‘deluxe’ tour, which incorporates vineyard and bodega visits with breakfast and a paired lunch.

With a focus on aged sherries, Bodegas Tradición promises to satisfy aficionados’ palates, while the collection of Spanish artwork adorning its walls (including paintings by Picasso, El Greco, Goya, Velásquez, and Zurbarán) is museum-worthy.

The coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda hosts the perfect conditions for producing manzanilla, a mineral-rich dry sherry that pairs perfectly as an aperitif with green olives and marcona almonds. Like Jerez, Sanlúcar has several bodegas to visit (such as Barbadillo, Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana, and Bodega Hijos de Rainera Pérez Marín). Casa Bigote, the city’s most-renowned seafood-only restaurant, pairs exceptional manzanilla and more with local sea fare. And don’t leave without dropping in on world-famous Bodegas Osborne in El Puerto de Santa María.

The post The World’s Top 10 Wine Destinations for 2019 appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/best-wine-travel-destinations-2019/

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