Cru Bourgeois du Medoc, the best from Bordeaux France has its maiden voyage in America

Story and photo gallery by Dwight Casimere


NEW YORK--Cru Bourgeois du Medoc, a superior wine produced on one of the eight prestigious appellations in Bordeaux, created a sensation in the luxurious surroundings of Manhattan's Midtown Loft and Terrace with its sun-drenched main salon and terrace with  sweeping views of the Empire State Building. According to the Alliance's Directrice, Frederique Dutheillet de Lamothe, who presided over the event, this was their first-ever major marketing effort in the American consumer market. From all accounts, it was a huge success.

"This is the perfect time for Cru Bourgeois," de Lamothe said in an interview on the terrace." The Cru Bourgeois are well-suited to today's markets and the requirements of increasingly demanding consumers who not only want quality and superior taste, but a price that is affordable. We feel that we can offer all of that to the American consumer today."

First of all, wines that carry the Cru Bourgeois logo and authentication sticker, required since the 2010 vintage, represent a guarantee of the highest quality. They must meet a strict quality assurance process that involves selection over the course of a series of blind tastings. The wines are then identified with a secure visual recognition system, embedded in a sticker, which appears on all bottles of Cru Bourgeois du Medoc. This sticker contains a unique code for each bottle, thus providing a guarantee that the wine is authentic.

Cru Bourgeois wines are made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot grapes. In spite of their uniform guarantee of quality, the wines are as distinctive and individual as the fingerprints of the men and women who make them. They offer both diversity and excellent value, with the majority of the wines in the $20-$30 price range, and most available at an average price of $25.50 a bottle. The few that are $40 and above are of exceptional quality and possess a quality and flavor that far exceeds the price.

The Midtown Terrace tasting proved to be an excellent platform  for the display of these excellent wines. With some 65 producers pouring well over a hundred wines, mostly from the 2009 and 2010 vintage, the wines proved that they deserve the attention of serious wine lovers. They are complex red wines with a high level of satisfaction for drinkability. They're great wines to pair with food or to serve as an aperitif. A light buffet of assorted charcuterie, ranging from sliced spicy and dry meats to artisanal cheeses, vegetable crudite'  and some delightfully semi-sweet dried figs made for a perfect afternoon pairing in the warm afternoon sun on the terrace. "It's almost like being in the Medoc," Directrice de Lamothe offered, raising a glass in toast, "only we don't get quite as much sun as you do here!" Vive le difference! Vive Cru Bourgeois!

 Cru Bourgeois Directrice Frederique Dutheillet de Lamothe with Dwight Casimere

 The spectacular terrace views at Midtown Loft and Terrace

Samplings from my tasting notes:
Chateau D'Agassac, AOC Haut-Medoc 2011-$23. Deep, gravel soil and a blend of 50 per cent Merlot, 47 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 3 per cent Cabernet Franc combined with 15 months of aging in oak barrels, produced a highly drinkable, complex wine with bright flavors of ripe red fruit; tart raspberries, plums and candied cherries with a hint of black pepper and an underlying texture of rich, dark earth and a hint of gravel on the tongue. Surprisingly complex for such a young wine, yet, its ready to drink now. It's a little tight and would benefit from 4-5 years of aging. At this price, buy a case and drink a few now and save the rest for later.

Chateau Guitignan, Moulis 2011-$25. A blend of 60 per cent Merlot,  32 per cent Cabernet, 5 per cent Cabernet Franc and 3 per Petit Verdot. This wine was vinified entirely in stainless steel to preserve its pronouced fruit flavors and elegant nose, bursting with the aroma of ripe crushed flowers and lucsious ripe black cherries. Aged a year in oak barrels, this wine has the structure of something many times the price. Another well-balanced wine that will go great with a good meal of lamb chops with rosemary and a side of couscous with mushrooms sauteed in the deglazed pan juices and a sprinkle of crushed mint.

Chateau Vieux Robin, Medoc 2011-$44.99- One of the more expensive of the lot, but vcertainly one of the best. You can afford to splurge after all of the bargain-hunting and it's well worth it! A lean, elegant wine of 40 per cent Merlot snd 55 per cent Cabernet, it bears the distinctive mark of old vines, average age 45 years and over a year and a half of aging in oak barrels, 40 per cent new. The result is stunning,  with delicate floral aromas, rich flavors of dark ripe fruit and a hint of cassis, with a healthy underpinning of baking spices; cardamom, cinnamon sticks and nutmeg with hints of cedar shavings echoing in the background. This is a rich wine with a lean, supple structure. Serve it with ripe, aged cheese, such as a rare Roblechon or a deeply-veined Blu. A finely aged steak, like the one's they serve at David Burke's (they have them at Whole Foods everywhere and at Fairway in New York in their chilled meat locker)  would make for a fine meal pairing. I'm not supposed to be eating red meat anymore, so you didn't read it here!

 Anne Riives and Stacey Rosenberger of Chateau Lilian Ladouys, St. Estephe, Bordeaux

 Aurelie Anney, Chateau Tour Des Termes

 Jean Louis Triaud, Chateau Bop Air

 Adriane Mack, organizer, East Harlem Harvest Festival

Olivier Roba, Chateau Dieux Robin

Marie Vialard-Mau-Gerante, Chateau Cissac, Haut Medoc

The sun-drenched main salon of Midtown Loft

Wine of the Week: Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay 2012-$19

A unique wine that lets the Napa Valley terroir "speak"

by Dwight Casimere

NAPA VALLEY, Ca.---When Robert Mondavi began in winery in Oakville more than 40 years ago, he forged a path grounded in the belief that, above all things, the wine he created should be "reflective of a sense of place." The French have a term for it, "Terroir." Like so many things French, it is an elusive concept, but, at its core meaning, it refers to the specific combination of climate, soil and overall growing conditions that give a wine its unique characteristics. Such a wine is Robert Mondavi 2012 Napa Valley Chardonnay, a magnificent example of Napa Valley terroir and an astonishing $19 a bottle.


  Robert Mondavi Winery Director of Winemaking  Genevieve Janssens has masterfully applied her skills as a winemaker to create the winery's latest edition of its Chardonnay in a fashion that allows the terroir of the Napa Valley to speak in resounding fashion.

Robert Mondavi 2012 Napa Valley Chardonnay is only $19.00 a bottle, but the complexity and satisfaction level of its flavor and the extreme care that went into its creation, speaks to a wine many times the price.

This 100% Chardonnay is a perfect accompaniment to the type of easy-to-prepare, light  fare that speaks of spring and summer and endless opportunities for dining out-of-doors. Be it a sidewalk cafe in Chicago's Old Town or New York's SoHo, or a lavish suburban garden party or an infinite evening in the gazebo with fireflies buzzing around the heat lamp, Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay is a perfect table mate with its rich flavors of fresh peaches and burnt orange and a touch of toasted almond and hazelnut. 

The wine is authentic in its Napa Valley pedigree in every way; 95% of the grapes are sourced there, with 50% coming from the famed Carneros district, known for its ideal growing conditions of warm, flavor-ripening days, and cool nights and mornings. Mild  conditions, coupled with a long growing season with a lack of ill-timed rain, allowed the grapes to mature slowly and evenly, thus ensuring their well balanced flavors. According to Janssens, "the blend is dominated by fruit from the cooler region in the southern end of the valley, where bay fog and breezes allow the grapes to ripen at a gradual, flavor-building pace while retaining refreshing, natural acidity." In addition to the Carneros grapes and grapes from East Napa and Oak Knoll, a small amount of grapes from the famed Stag's Leap district to give the blend just the right touch of opulence. Partial malolactic fermentation and hand stirring of the yeast lees (batonnage) gives the wine added complexity. Partial fermentation in French oak followed by nine months of aging resulted in a seamless integration of oak and fruit flavors. The wine has a rich, creamy finish that goes perfectly with food. The wine could be enjoyed as an aperitif, but its such a rich and opulent blend, its almost a shame not to have it with a good meal. A dish of chicken legs or thighs simmered in a cup or two of the wine with shallots, tarragon and dijon mustard with a few cherry tomatoes thrown in for color is an easy, one dish, summertime meal that would make for a perfect pairing. Bon Appetit!

Andrew and Rishia Zimmern's Chicken With Shallots

adapted from The New York Times, March 23, 2014

(food photography by Nethia Heyward)

Cooking time 90 minutes

8 chicken thighs

2 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon ground black pepper

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

12-15 peeled medium shallots

2 cups white wine (in this case Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2012 Chardonnay)

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 sprigs fresh tarragon

2 cups halved cherry tomatoes

Rinse chicken thighs in cold water, pat them dry and sprinkle them with flour, salt and pepper

Melt butter in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet and set over medium heat. When the butter foams, add the chicken in batches, browning it until crisp on all sides, set aside.

Add shallots to the pot saute until they begin to soften and caramelize, about 10 minutes, add the wine to deglaze the pot, add the mustard and tarragon, stirring with a large spoon, then add the chicken thighs. Cover and turn the heat down simmering for 30 minutes.

Add the cherry tomatoes, stirring lightly to combine. Serve with some crusty bakery-fresh french bread, pour the rest of the Robert Mondavi 2012 Chardonnay and enjoy.

The Zimmern's Chicken with Shallots as prepared by Valerie Jo Bradley,

Harlem 144 Guest House

An "armchair" visit to enjoy Prosecco in the Valdobbiadene at Vinitaly

Prosecco Superiore grows in popularity and quality
Could soon rival Champagne in the global consumer market

Story and photos by Dwight Casimere

VERONA, Italy--Prosecco, specifically Prosecco Superiore from the Conegliano Valdobbiadene in the Veneto wine region of north-eastern Italy, not far from Venice, is one of the true treasures of the modern wine world. Like its kissing cousin, Champagne, it is a protected name, by law. Once used casually as the name of both the grape variety and the sparkling wine it produced, it is now defined by law under the designation DOCG, Denominazione di origine controllata  or"Controlled designation of origin", the very highest level of quality assurance under Italian law. The change in legal status also brought another revision,  the  name of the Prosecco grape was recast to its original, ancient name, Glera. Now, with its elevated designation, and a firm footing both in tradition and in the latest technologies of modern winemaking, Prosecco Superiore is now set to take a prominent place at the center of the world wine consuming stage. 

That fact was brought home with stunning clarity during a visit to the massive Conegliano Valdobbiadene pavilion, Carta Vini Vinitaly 2014 in Verona during Vinitaly 2014, the world's largest wine exhibition. The pavilion was a showcase for the more than 100 offerings by producers of 8 separate designations of Prosecco Superiore, including Brut Rive, Brut, Extra Dry Rive, Extra Dry, Dry Rive, Dry, Superiore Di Cartizze and the most captivating, Rifermentato in Bottiglia, sparkling wine which is re-fermented in the bottle, in much the same manner as Classic Champagne. The personalized tasting, which was guided by the  Director of the Consorzio, Giancarlo Vettorello and oenologist Filippo Taglietti, was a revelation.

Having tasted many of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut offerings previously during the recent US Vinitaly tour, I dove immediately into the more exotic offerings proffered;  Extra Dry Rive, Superiore Di Cartizze and Rifermentato in Bottiglia selections. Among them, were the names of producers that had now become familiar to me, Villa Sandi, Bartolomiol, Mionetto and Zardetto. Equally demanding of my attention were lesser known , but stellar wines from Colesel, Spagnol-Col del Sas and Val d'Oca. Most of them will be on the shelves of discriminating wine shops over the late spring and summer months, so be on the lookout. Surprisingly, the prices of these liquid gems are quite reasonable. Most, including the Rifermentato, hover in the $15-$25 range. Try getting even a lesser known champagne for anywhere near that value!  

Each style of Prosecco had its unique characteristic.  The Extra Dry Rive's, for example, were very terroir driven, with fine bubbles and a very dry finish. La Farra di Soligo Millesimato 2013 ($20), for example, had a powerful nose of lilac blossoms and potpourri with the taste of very concentrated fruit on the palate. Distinctive flavors of tart lemons and crisp green apples lingered long in the mouth followed by a fresh finish, tinged with just a bite of star fruit. 

Garbara Superiore di Cartizze Extra Dry ($35) is from the Grand Cru of the Valdobbiadene. Grapes are grown on the steep, chalky hillsides farmed by the Grotto family for more than 80 years. This is an elegant sparkling wine with a pale, straw color.  Ultra-fine, pristine bubbles and the lush flavors of ripe citrus fruit nd the smell of very small white flowers are the dominant notes. The structure is very lean with an ample amount of acid to pucker the cheeks in preparation for the long, dry, satisfying finish. Only 7,000 bottles of this sparkling beauty were made. It can be found in the most discriminating wine shops. Sherry Lehmann in New York comes to mind. They'll be happy to ship you a case or two, no extra charge. You can do it online. Stock up for that special party to celebrate the new garden furniture! 

I saved the best for last. Spagnol- Col del Sas Rifermentato in Bottiglia (re-fermented in the bottle) "Il Fondo" 2012 is an absolute steal at $28. This is Prosecco at its finest. With a gorgeous foaming mousse and a crisp,clean palate, this is the benchmark for all prosecco. The wine has so much body and flavor, its hard to believe that it contains a mere 11% alcohol. It makes for perfect springtime drinking as an aperitif or with delicate fish dishes. Do yourself a favor, don't serve this sparkler in the traditional champagne flute. It has so much character, its best enjoyed in a goblet that lets all of the aromas and flavors rush toward your nose and palate in a cascade of wine-drinking pleasure. The avalanche of flavors lingers long in the mouth, enhancing the sheer pleasure of drinking it. Made by the Spagnol family, winemaker Marco Spagnol would be the first to point out the food-friendly nature of this fine example of prosecco produced near Conegliano.

 Most of the prosecco wines I sampled are available in the US, although many are in limited supply. Still, there were a few that I was privileged to taste as a singular adventure, since their furthest reach will never be beyond the confines of the Vinitaly pavilion.   I will treasure them forever. Many thanks to my hosts, Director Vettorello and oenologist Taglietti for the delightful experience!

 Dwight The Wine Doctor with Consorzio Director Giancarlo Vettorello and oenologist Filippo Taglietti

 Oenologist Filippo Taglietti with examples of Superiore Di Cartizze

 Examples of Extra Dry Rive Prosecco Superiore

     Malibran Rifermentato in Bottiglia (re-fermented in the bottle) "Sottoriva"

The Many Faces of OperaWine 2014; Finest Italian Wines, 100 Great Producers

Story and photo gallery by Dwight Casimere


VERONA, Italy---OperaWine 2014 is the premiere event of Vinitaly International, the world's largest wine exhibition held each year at the massive VeronaFiere exhibition center in central Verona. Each year, the city, best known as the setting for William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" becomes the epicenter of the enology and culinary worlds. Now in its 48th edition, Vinitaly is focused on greater internationalization. This year's event featured more than 4,000 exhibitors  and 155,000 visitors from 120 countries around the world. Organizers set a record for exhibition space sold, making it the beggiest edition of the event in history. In addition to a larger-than-ever complement of international exhibitors and visitors, Vinitaly 2014 featured a new area for business-to-business meetings which was set up to encourage international operators to build relationships and alliances. Vinitaly 2014 also debuted a special exhibition for producers of certified organic wines.

OperaWine 2014 featured 100 Great Producers as identified by Wine Spectator, the leading opinion maker for all things wine related. The stars of the Italian wine world walked the red carpet up the steps of the Palazzo Gran Guardia on the Piazza Bra, with its dramatic view of the historic Arena. If there were ever an Oscar Night for wine, OperaWine 2014 was it!

Mr. and Miss Vinitaly 2014, Andrea Amadel (l) and Alessandra Scarci (r)

The father/son team of Francesco and Santiago Cinzano of Col D'Orcia of Montalcino

Wine pr and marketing maven Constantine Press (l)

With Marilisa Allegrini (c) and her guests at OperaWine 2014

With Jose Rallo of Donnafugata winery of Sicily

Stevie Kim (r) Managing Director, Vinitaly International

Stefano Leone, Direttore Commerciale of  Marchesi Antinori of Chianti Classico

Donatella Ferrucci of Castello Di Ama

Tre Bicchieri award winner Federico Terenzi (l) of Terenzi Morellino di Scansano and his wife

Marchese Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga of Tenuta San Leonardo

With my winemaking "cousin" Casimero Maule and daughter Sara Maule of Nino Negri

Giorgio Pasanisi of Umani Ronchi

With Italian Food blogger and Sommelier Jenny Viant Gomez (l)

and with my good friend Jamie Stewart, Brand Ambassador to Ferrari of Treviso

OperaWine 2014: Finest Italian Wines 100 Great Producers

Third Edition of OperaWine previews 48th Vinitaly

  

Story and photo gallery by Dwight Casimere

VERONA, Italy--If there ever an "Oscar Night" for wine, then OperaWine 2014, the premiere event to Vinitaly 2014, the world's largest wine fair, is certainly it. Presenting 100 Finest Italian Wines as selected by Wine Spectator magazine, the evening brought out the brightest stars in the galaxy of Italian wines. 

Among the standouts, Allegrini Valpolicella Amarone della Classico 2004, Arnaldo Caprai 25 anni Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2009, Donnafugata Mille e Una Notte Contessa Entellina DOP 2008, and Damilano Cannubi Barolo DOCG 2010. The wine makers and the more than 500 guests turned out in their best evening wear to celebrate the best of Italian wine in the elegant surroundings of the Palazzo della Gran Guardia, overlooking the historic Piazza Bra and the ancient Arena that dominates this most elegant and romantic of Italian cities. 

At an earlier news conference,  Vinitaly International Managing Director Stevie Kim, Ettore Riello, President of VeronaFiere, site of Vinitaly 2014, and  Giovanni Mantovani, CEO and Director General of VeronaFiere, discussed the evolution of the OperaWine event over the past several years, including the association with Altagamma, the Italian luxury brands and lifestyle coalition, which was launched at the Opera Wine news conference two years ago, and last year's introduction of the Vinitaly Wine club, now completing its first year of operation.

This year, Managing Director Kim introduced Mr. and Miss Vinitaly 2014, Andrea Amadel and Alessandra Scarci. "There's will be the face and image of Vinitaly to the world as we seek to make inroads in the 18-34 young adult market. They will serve as ambassadors of Italian wine to youth within Italy and around the world. Their faces will rejuvenate the face of Italian wine."

Kim, along with Veronafiere General Director Giovanni Mantovani, accounced the launch of Vini24.com, the wine club of the daily Italian business paper Il Sole 24 Ore. The new collaboration with Il Gruppo 24 Ore will allow Italian consumers to expand their knowledge of Italian wine, accessing an inital offering of 250 wines from all 20 regions of Italy, starting with the 100 Finest Italian Wines presented at OperaWine 2014.

Stevie Kim concluded the news conference with a reminder of the importance of social media in the wine trade, highlighting Vinitaly's international social channels-Facebook, You Tube, Instagram and  the Chinese platform Welbio, and a re-vamped website that broadcast live-stream photos of Vinitaly.

Wine Spectator is the world's leading authority on wine, reaching more than 3 million readers worldwide. Wine Spectator is solely responsible for the choice of producers at the OperaWine event.

Vinitaly International also announced the appointment of Dr. Ian D’Agata as the scientific director of its new educational initiative Vinitaly International Academy (VIA). An innovative masterclass series that combines focused tastings with academic lectures on Italian grapes, VIA is designed to explain, divulge, and broadcast the characteristics of Italian wine, for all levels of wine knowledge from novice to expert, tailored to each international market.

Opera Wine is the premiere event to Vinitaly 2014. It is a precursor to the type of quality presentations that would mark the next four days. According to Ettore Riello, President of Veronafiere, the event has confirmed its leadership as the main landmark for the international wine business, with a 6% increase in visitors for a total of 155,000 people over the 4 days of the event. Business and the quality of that business also increased, with the number of foreign buyers up to 56,000, representing  36%  of the total.

Verona 2014 ended with a significant event. For the first time ever, an Italian Prime Minister visited Vintaly. Matteo Renzi traveled to Verona for the final day of the International Wine and Spirits Exhibition, which was held alongside the Sol and Agrifood Exhibition of Quality Agro-Foods and Enolitech, the Wine-Growing and Olive-Growing Technology Exhibition.  In his address to the body, Prime Minister Renzi launched an initiative with the objective of a 50% increase in wine exports from Italy to the world by 2020. He also announced an 18-point simplification plan in support of agriculture in general and agricultural enterprises and young people. The plan involves outreach to youth through the internet and social media. The Prime Minister promised "a major investment undertaking"in these areas of growth over the next several years. The 49th edition of Vinitaly is scheduled at Veronafiere March 22-25, 2015.  

OperaWine "cast members" in full Opera regalia

Dwight The Wine Doctor with Sabrina Tedescbi and her Monte Olmi wine at OperaWine 2014

Mother, daughter team of Federica Mascheroni Stianti and Giovanna Stianti of Castello di Volpaia of Chianti

Marco Caprai (l) winemaker at Arnoldo Caprai of Umbria, last year's European Winemaker of the Year

My good friend and fellow wine writer "Charlie" Artuola (r)

With Marilisa Allegrini of Allegrini Wines

Stevie Kim, Managing Director, Vinitaly International

Andrea Amadel and Alessandra Scarci, Mr. and Miss Vinitaly 2014

Below; Stevie Kim, Managing Director, Vinitaly International, Dwight The Wine Doctor, Thomas Matthews, Executive Editor, Wine Spectator, Giovanni Mantovani, CEO, Vinitaly International, Dr. Ian D'Agata, scientific director, Vinitaly International Academy