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Tasting Notes: The 2012 Vintage Bordeaux of The Unions Des Grands Crus

The annual Unions des Grands Crus Bordeaux tasting in San Francisco is one of my favorite tastings of the year. It is where I can discern the true potential of any vintage including the challenging 2012 season, which saw a cool, wet spring, a dry, sometimes hot summer and wet autumn.

The Man Behind the Brand: What You Don’t Know About Georges Duboeuf

When I heard that Beaujolais juggernaut Vins Georges Duboeuf was not planning a huge celebration for their 50th anniversary on September 4, 2014, I was truly surprised. But then I met the man behind the brand, Georges Duboeuf. He dispelled all the preconceptions I had about the brand, and of Beaujolais itself…

A New Book on Monks and Wine Will Change the Way You Think About the Cote Chalonnaise

This is the book I’ve been waiting for. It fills in many of the gaps in our knowledge of monks and wine against the backdrop of cultural, political and economic influences of the time. It helps us gain a better understanding of the factors driving wine quality that continue to this day. And by adding emphasis on the reputations of Givry and Cote Chalonnaise wines, the authors elevate the image of this lesser-known and under-appreciated region of southern Bourgogne.

Discover ‘Provence Food and Wine: The Art of Living,’ at Home

The French Riviera. Cote d’Azur. Saint-Tropez. Cannes. They all evoke a relaxed, outdoor lifestyle of warm breezes and brilliant sun overlooking azur blue waters, glass in hand filled with a light-bodied, mouthwatering and fruity rosé. But this region of nearly 70,000 acres is much more than just sunny beaches and fruity wines. In the new book “Provence Food and Wine: The Art of Living” the authors explain why in colorful detail and authentic recipes.

Two Words You Must Know in the Burgundy Lexicon

Last week, the Bourgogne wine region also known as Burgundy joined a global coalition of other classic wine regions to protect place name and origin. Now is the perfect time to start calling Burgundy by its French name, as we do for all other French wine regions. Going hand in hand with the authenticity of the Bourgogne name is the authenticity of its wines based on “climat”, the Bourgogne version of terroir.

aMuse Bouche: Burgundy Spice

With Burgundy’s rich and strongly flavored dishes, it’s easy to see why tangy Dijon mustard would be a specialty here. At a Moutarderie tour at Edmond Fallot, I learned the difference between Dijon and Burgundy mustard.

The Wines of Provence: Fifty Shades of Rosé

About this time every year, I emerge from winter’s cocoon with only one thought: sipping a glass of gossamer-hued, mouth-watering, fruity rosé from Provence. They’re light-bodied, crisp and fruity wines that are always dry. But what I discovered at a Provence Wine Council tasting in SF last week is that these wines can also show beautiful depth, expressiveness and even class that are unique to this region.

The Côtes de Bordeaux: Affordable Bordeaux With Pedigree

When people think of red Bordeaux, they usually categorize them by Right Bank or Left Bank. But there’s another family of reds called the Côtes de Bordeaux crafted by small, family-owned wineries with a lot of care, pride and in many cases, world-class knowledge.

Spreading French Joie de Vivre to the Masses: Vin de France

Don’t tell Managing Director Valerie Pajotin that Vin de France are mere “table wines”, even though technically, that’s what they are. For Valerie and a contingent of her colleagues from Anivin – the trade group for Vin de France – these wines have the potential to become a global force majeure

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Why buy Chablis now

I had the opportunity recently to select the Chablis wines for a series of media events here in San Francisco and the …