Wine

Napa Valley Wine Auction Sets New Record

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 28th 2011 at 2:01PM

Another sign that people are back to spending on luxury goods was the record-breaking result at the 15th annual Napa Valley Vinters wine futures auction to the trade over the weekend. The event, which brought together a crowd of around 1,000 vintners, retailers, restaurateurs and others, brought in nearly $2.4 million, beating 2008's record-setting $2.2 million bidding on rare and highly desirable wine lots.

The event at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St Helena beat last year's take by more than 23%. A total of 68 successful bidders purchased 1530 cases at an average case price of $1546, a 37% increase over the recession-stressed take of 2009 and 20% more than 2010. A record was also set for a single lot. A Japanese wine company paid $125,000 for five cases of Scarecrow Wine, easily beating the record of $80,000 set in 2007. For wholesalers, retailers and restaurant owners the auction is a chance to buy wines from top wineries that are often hard to acquire. Other top lots of the day include Schrader Cellars, Ovid, Levy and McClellan, Shafer Vineyards, Robert Mondavi Winery and Reynolds Family.

[via Decanter]

Tags: napa valley, scarecrow wine, wine, wine auction

Napa Valley School Benefit Offers Wine Lots For A Good Cause

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 27th 2011 at 7:01AM

We like the way they raise money in wine country. The 12th annual fundraiser for The Young School in Napa Valley's St. Helena includes silent and live auctions with a wine focus. This year's event takes place on Saturday, March 12 at Failla Winery.

The winery's elaborate caves make a dramatic setting for the evening, which is called Casbah in the Cave. The evening features a Moroccan feast by Alex's Catering as well as a classical Middle Eastern dance performance. There will be a wide selection of auction lots featuring splendid adventures and truly fine wines from a variety of local wineries including Abreu, Blackbird, Colgin, Robert Foley, Harlan, Ovid, Joseph Phelps, Shafer and Silver Oak. Many wineries such as Far Niente and Smith-Madrone are offering event lots and travel lots offer getaways to Portugal, Nantucket and more.

The Young School is a private non-profit non-denominational Montessori-derived program for children ages 6 through 12 years old/first-sixth grades. The name of the school is taken from two sisters named 'Young' who were well-known Sonoma teachers several decades ago. The first Young School was founded in their home in downtown Sonoma. In 1997 the school moved from its Sonoma location to St. Helena in the Napa Valley. It operates as a 'one-room schoolhouse' in quarters rented from a church in a residential neighborhood of St. Helena and has an enviable 12-1 student-teacher ratio.

Tickets are $100 per person in advance and available at the benefit website.

Tags: napa valley, st helena, the young school, wine events

First Taste: Scion Pre-Phylloxera Port

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) — Feb 18th 2011 at 3:02PM

As the room of tasters, a veritable varsity squad of New York wine writers, took their respective places, the publicist for Portuguese port house, Taylor Fladgate, announced that this was a first: not a single invitation offered to the morning's event had been declined. It wasn't out of courtesy. The 17th-century port purveyor was here at Manhattan's Eleven Madison Park to taste through its line-up of vintage and tawny ports, culminating in a rare treat, an 1855 pre-Phylloxera port called Scion.

Christie's Head of Wine-Asia, Charles Curtis MW, made some opening remarks about Taylor Fladgate, port wine and the auction market before handing the host duties over to Adrian Bridge. The CEO of Taylor Fladgate, Bridge cut an English gentleman's mien as he guided the assembled group through such bottlings as a vintage 1992 (sweet and earthy with slightly tannic finish), vintage 2003 (like a big Cabernet, with dark fruit and a huge nose) and a 30-year-old tawny (fig cookie, bitter orange and lightly floral).

Tags: christies+auction, christiesauction, Eleven Madison Park, first+taste:+scion+pre-phylloxera+port, firsttaste:scionpre-phylloxeraport, http://www.luxist.com/2011/02/18/first-taste-scion-pre-phylloxer, New York, Port Wine, Scion, scion+pre-phylloxera+port, scionpre-phylloxeraport, Tasting, Taylor Fladgate, taylor+fladgate+scion+port, taylorfladgatescionport, Wine

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Delaire Graff Estate, A Diamantaire's South African Paradise

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 13th 2011 at 8:01AM

Perhaps the world's most famous living diamantaire, Laurence Graff,is also in the resort and wine business. The Delaire Graff Estate is luxury South African resort in the Stellenbosch area, home to some of South Africa's best vineyards. Graff opened the estate last year but has owned the land for years. The estate has just 10 overnight lodges but also includes a state-of-the-art spa, Indochine--an Asian fusion restaurant and a fully operational vineyard producing high-quality Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz and other wines.

Tags: delaire graff estate, delaire graff spa, laurence graff, south africa, south africa travel, south african wine, stellenbosch

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Luxist Guest Post: George Miliotes, Master Sommelier at The Capital Grille Picks Valentine's Day Wines

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Feb 12th 2011 at 10:02AM

Wine can be an important part of your Valentine's Day celebration but choosing the right wine is a combination of making sure that the wine matches both the food and your beloved's preferences. George Miliotes, Master Sommelier at The Capital Grille restaurant group, offers up a few recommendations and romantic finds – including basic food pairing advice to help ease the course of true oenological love.

Best Wines for Romance
There is no magic wine that does it for everyone, as tastes vary. Find out what type of wine your special someone likes. Then research and find the best of that type. Come armed to impress with the story of why the wine is the best of its type so you can wow your loved one with the knowledge as you drink it. Nothing says romance like I care enough to get you the best. Few suggestions (across price points) are below:

If they love Red, my faves are:

LOW ON DOUGH: Juan Gil Monastrell...there is no other red wine as flavorful for less than $20 and it pairs amazingly well with a Filet.
IN THE MIDDLE: De Toren Z $40...Merlot/Cab blend at a world class flavor level. Partial to a Delmonico? The plush yet strong tannins here will match perfectly with the marbled richness of the steak.
IN THE MOOD TO SPLURGE: Lewis Cellars 2007 Reserve Cabernet ...can run $175+ depending upon market. Is there anything more American than a dry aged New York strip sirloin? Have this great American Cabernet with the great American steak.

Tags: cabernet sauvignon, red, valentines day, white house, wine, wine selection

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New French Marathon Is A Run For Wine

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 11th 2011 at 12:01AM

There are many reasons to run a marathon but a new race makes your 26.2 mile odyssey really worth it. The first annual Marathon de Sauternes in France doesn't just take you through beautiful vineyards and chateaux on a mostly flat course, but you will earn a sweet reward at the end. In addition to the customary medal and T-shirt, all runners will receive a bottle of Sauternes. There's an added incentive for the winners in the men's and women's open categories. Decanter reports that they will take home their weight in Sauternes, plus a magnum of Chateau d'Yquem. The race will be run on June 4 and 1,000 competitors are expected. Tastings and dinners are begin organized around the event. After the race, runners and guests can head to Le Château Filhot for a festive meal. The entry fee is 40 euros and the meal is 15 euros.

Tags: chateau dyquem, marathon, Marathon-Durandal, sauternes

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Jura Wine Goes For $75,000 at Auction

by David Kiley (RSS feed) — Feb 9th 2011 at 9:01PM

What would you pay for a Jura wine? On second thought: what's a Jura?

The Jura Mountains, north of the Alps, stretch from Switzerland to Germany's Rhine River. In eastern France, the Jura is one of that country's tiniest wine regions where the grapes grown are rare and hardy: savignan, trousseau, and ploussard.

Each February, deep in the heart of a Jura winter, thousands arrive for Le Percée du Vin Jaune (piercing of the yellow wine) to celebrate opening the first bottle of the newly released white wine known as vin jaune.

Because Vin jaune must be aged in oak for six years and three months before release, this year's Le Percée du Vin Jaune was for the 2004 vintage, but an even more unusually old Jura wine showed up: 237 years-old!

Tags: francois andouze, jura, jura region, jura wine, pierre chevrier, vin jaune, wine

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Wine Critic Robert Parker Changing Things Up At Wine Advocate

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 8th 2011 at 11:00PM

Those in the world of wine got a little shake-up recently. The emperor of wine, legendary critic Robert Parker, the founder of the Wine Advocate, is going to stop reviewing most California wine. His publication will still feature California wine of course, it's just that one of his other critics, Antonio Galloni, who has been responsible for Italian wine for several years, will be taking over that responsibility. Wine writer Jon Bonné reports that Galloni will also be responsible for influential portions of Burgundy, the Cote d'Or and Chablis, and Champagne reviews.

Meanwhile Parker will focus on his beloved Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley. He will continue to do occasional California wines including older wines. He wrote to subscribers that he would soon do a series focusing on horizontal and vertical tastings of perfectly stored California wines to see how they develop over time.

Parker's influence in wine, and specifically in California wine, is huge. Some say that you can lay the responsibility for the popular big, bold, pricey status Napa Cabs nearly wholly in his lap. But he also raised the profile of Rhone-style California wines and in general has served as a starmaker, helping to increase the critical attention paid to California wines around the world.

Wine Advocate began with one man's palate but has evolved beyond that, now a whole team of tasters cover the world. While wine scores may not be as influential as they were before social media made everyone a wine critic, they do still carry a lot of weight and Parker's Wine Advocate brand remains one of the top trustworthy institutions.

Tags: california wine, robert parker, wine, wine critic

Metal Band Introduces Motorhead Wine Glasses

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 5th 2011 at 6:01PM

The link between rock music and wine seems to be one that's deepening over time. More and more rock stars have wine labels or wine collections from Sting to Whitesnake. One of the wine business's most intriguing entrepreneurs, Maynard James Keenan, is also the frontman for Tool. Metal band Motörhead is also in the wine business. The band had previously released 1,000 cases of Motörhead Shiraz which reportedly sold out in a week. There are now Motörhead wine glasses. Oddly enough they come in a set of three, with engraved logos and in a protective case. They sell for $115.90.

[via Gibson.com]

Tags: motorhead, shiraz, wine glasses

Le Cirque Features Special Menu Created by Chef from Italy's Hotel Byron

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) — Feb 4th 2011 at 9:31AM

Everyone knows that dining at the Maccioni family's Le Cirque, the legendary restaurant on Manhattan's Upper East Side, is an experience to savor. Not only is its atmosphere striking and spacious, but everything, from the impeccable service offered by its staff to its beautifully presented food is beyond compare.

For the next two days, however, customers can enjoy all the greatness that Le Cirque has to offer while also experiencing the impressive talents of Executive Chef Andrea Mattei. The 31-year-old Mattei leads the Magnolia Restaurant at the Hotel Byron in Forte Dei Marmi on the Tuscan seacoast of Italy. Mattei has created a prix fixe menu for the restaurant and will serve as its guest chef through Saturday, February 5. Mattei is seen in the photo above with Le Cirque's founder Sirio Maccioni.

Mattei was discovered by one of Sirio's sons who visited Hotel Byron last summer. "My brother, Marco, had dinner with his wife at the Magnolia Restaurant at the Hotel Byron just before they left on their honeymoon," Mauro Maccioni told Luxist. "Hotel Byron is very polished and caters to an affluent crowd. Marco liked it so much he asked my father and me if we would like to bring the chef to New York."

Gallery: Le Cirque Features Guest Chef from Italy's Hotel Byron

Tags: Andrea Mattei, andrea+mattei+le+cirque, andrea+mattei+le+cirque+new+york, andreamatteilecirque, andreamatteilecirquenewyork, Brooks Pinot Noir, Chateau Miraval, cirque+menu+valentines+day+2011, cirquemenuvalentinesday2011, Hotel Byron, Le Cirque, Mauro Maccioni, restaurant week, Restaurant Week 2011, Rully, Sirio Maccioni, wine, wine pairings

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Chris de Burgh's Wine Collection Up For Sale Next Month at Christie's

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 3rd 2011 at 10:01PM

As we mentioned last fall, singer Chris DeBurgh, who most famous for in the U.S. for his song "Lady in Red," is also a wine collector who is ready to sell off some of his best vintages. Last year he sat down with Decanter to confess that the reason he is gong to sell is not because he needs the cash but because he can't bear to drink some of the most expensive bottles. He has been collecting for years and has picked up many prized bottles including a case of Lafite 1945 and Latour 61, Mouton 82, Cheval Blanc 78, Margaux and La Mission Haut Brion 61. He also has a complete collection of Mouton vintages from 1945 that he updates with the latest vintage each year.

The Fine and Rare Wines Including Rarities from The Private Cellar of Chris de Burgh, which will take place at Christie's King Street saleroom in London, on March 23. The sale includes 320 bottles and 84 magnums of wine, mostly reds. The Private Cellar of Chris de Burgh is estimated to bring in £200,000.

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Alain Ducasse's Benoit New York Featuring Truffles Throughout February

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) — Feb 2nd 2011 at 10:31AM

Benoit New York, the highly acclaimed French bistro that is part of the Alain Ducasse restaurant empire, is offering fresh black Périgord truffles throughout the month of February. The truffles can be shaved over any dish offered on the menu that features classic French bistro cuisine for a supplemental cost of $9 for 5 grams, which is the actual cost to the restaurant. The truffle pairing will be available through the end of February.

Benoit Executive Chef Philippe Bertineau suggests enjoying the truffle garnish atop a selection of dishes. In addition to the Maine Lobster Salad and Tarte Flambée, the truffle shavings work well with the Filet Mignon and Hand-chopped Beef Tartare.

"One of the dishes I recommended serving with truffles is our Seasonal Local Vegetable Cookpot," says Chef Philippe Bertineau told Luxist. "The Cookpot is an oven-to-table porcelain dish that Alain Ducasse created with designer Pierre Tachon specifically for cooking and serving vegetables. It's a modern adaptation of the traditional cooking pot used in France's rural regions, and all of Chef Ducasse's restaurants around the world offer a seasonal vegetable Cookpot dish that's composed of local vegetables."

"For the Cookpot at Benoit, we wanted to create a vegetarian dish using root vegetables---our version includes parsnips, carrots, potatoes, sunchokes, rutabaga, celery root, butternut squash and chestnuts layered over a mushroom duxelles and finished with fresh black truffle," adds Chef Bertineau, the former Executive Chef of Balthazar who joined Benoit in October. "All of the vegetables are cooked together and served in the Cookpot, and it's a wonderful dish for the wintertime."

Tags: Alain Ducasse, awards-main, bar+benoit+truffle, barbenoittruffle, Benoit, Benoit New York, black Périgord truffles, black perigord truffles, black truffles, fine dining, luxist-awards, Michelin, New York, nyc+truffle+dinner+2011, nyctruffledinner2011, Philippe Bertineau, restaurant, truffle menu, truffles

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New Wine Deal Has Chinese Government Investing Directly In Bordeaux

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 2nd 2011 at 1:01AM

China isn't just collecting Bordeaux wine, Chinese investors are buying land and wineries in Bordeaux. Decanter reports that Philippe Raoux, owner of Chateau d'Arsac in Margaux and wine tourism complex La Winery, sold his Lalande-de-Pomerol estate, Chateau Viaud, to Cofco, a company 100% owned by the Chinese government. According to the article the deal followed three years of negotiations.

The sale was part of a larger business deal, Cofco will also distribute Chateau d'Arsac in China, along with other Bordeaux wines from Raoux's merchant business. The company will also bring Raoux's Signe Œnologique (wine star sign) concept to China to use in wine education. Raoux's son Pierre has moved to Beijing to work with the company to create a Bordeaux branded wine aimed specifically at the Chinese market.

Several Chinese companies and families have invested in Bordeaux in the last several years but recently the partnerships have more of a reciprocal nature. As we reported back in 2009, Chateau Lafite Rothschild formed a partnership with CITIC, China's largest state-owned investment company, to develop a winery on the peninsula of Penglai in Shandong province, an area said to be China's Bordeaux.

Interest in wine in China has risen dramatically over the past few years and with its large population and spending power that interest is only expected to increase.

Tags: bordeaux, bordeaux wine, chateau de viaud, china, cofco

Burgundy House Cottin Freres Sells Outside The Family

by David Kiley (RSS feed) — Jan 31st 2011 at 9:02PM

Burgundy is all in the family-until now.

Under French inheritance law, in the Napoleonic Code originally established in 1804, property is inherited by bloodline. That makes it virtually impossible to disinherit an offspring and that is the main reason behind the array of vineyards the size of large postage stamps that make up the Burgundy region, as the sons and daughters of sons and daughters each wind up with a piece of land here and there.

Imagine our surprise, then, to learn that the Burgundy House Cottin Freres, which brings us the well-known Laboure-Roi brand, sold seven hectares (nearly 17 acres) of Meursault vineyards, to a group of investors headed by New York sommelier Robert Bohr.

Tags: Burgundy wine, Clos de la Baronne label, Clos des Boucheres, Cottin Freres, french wine, wine

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First Bordeaux Producers Certified Organic

by David Kiley (RSS feed) — Jan 31st 2011 at 2:01PM

The year 1855 turns out to have been a very green year for wine. Two Bordeaux estates that gained classification status that year are the first of the "Growth Estates" to gain 21st century organic certification.

First growth Chateaux Guiraud (Sauterne) and Fifth Growth Chateau Pontet-Canet (Pauillac) were each recognized by France's Agence Bio (AB) as certifiably organic producers, the former beginning with its 2011 vintage and the latter beginning with its 2010 wines.

Depending on the vintage, Guiraud's wines are priced from two to four digits per bottle, with an average across vintages of $45 to $121. With one exception, Pontet-Canet bottle prices have generally been in the triple digits with an average across vintages of $62 to $172.

The two venerable Bordeaux wine producers of the Gironde River area were inducted into the original 1855 Bordeaux classification under different names. In 1766, a merchant named Pierre Guiraud bought La Maison Noble du Bayle, which was the estate's name when it achieved First Growth status for white wine. Originally named Canet, Pontet-Canet was established in the early 18th century by Jean-François de Pontet, royal governor of the Médoc. Canet gained Fifth Growth status for red wine.

Gallery: First Bordeaux Estates To Certify "Organic."