Tag: winemakers

We’ll Toast April 1, 2024 and Women in Wine with a Glass of NV Camille Savés “Carte Blanche” Grand Cru Brut
Our April 1, 2024 toast will salute the women who have and still are paving the way for women to make their way into the world of wine from workers, winemakers, and vineyard owners. In addition, there all the women teaching others about wine in shops, restaurants, and media. This is our year of recognizing wine heroes and the women who have fought for, made a place for themselves in the wine business, and then reached a helping hand back to other women who are HEROS!

We raise a glass of NV Camille Savés "Carte Blanche" Grand Cru Brut for all women in wine, past and present. The New York Times wine expert Eric Asimov's article "The Wine Heiresses Apparent" is recommended reading on this topic. Here is an article on Women Who Influence Wine today. Finally, a piece about Notable First Women in Wine History

This is a fantastic half bottle of Champagne that we've enjoyed locally while dining out. We also love the Camille Savés N.V. Brut Rose Grand Cru Champagne.

Here's what we learned about this wine and this wine family.
- This is a Pinot-forward Champagne blend with 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay both from Bouzy Grand Cru vineyards. This represents the Camille Savés house style.
- The Urban Grape description is, "The wine offers up a superb nose of apple, quince, bread dough, a complex base of chalky soil tones and a nice top note of spring flowers. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and beautifully delineated, with a fine core, crisp acids, lovely focus and balance, delicate mousse and fine grip on the long and classy finish."
"THE SAVÈS FAMILY has lived in the heart of Bouzy since 1894, as indicated in some registers that still exist today."

"…over the years, Louis, Camille and Hervé have followed in their father’s footsteps as head of the House, perpetuating the family values that established its reputation."

Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes and produced by various methods, adds spice to our monthly ritual.

Since 2007, we've raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

We purchased our half bottle at The Urban Grape for $40.00. We ordered our bottle online and picked it up at our convenience. As always, this excellent wine store provides great service.

Related Posts:

This post covers our Sparkling Resolution: Join Us as We Toast…

A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino
April 1, 2024
We’ll Toast September with Cabernet Franc! It’s Louis de Grenelle Saumur Rosé

We are year-round rosé fans and Louis de Grenelle Saumur Rosé is a 100% Cabernet Franc sparkling rosé from the Loire Valley. We've enjoyed this wine in many fine dining restaurants over the years. This bottle came from our "local" (as in favorite local pub) Cornwall's in Kenmore Square.

We added a bottle to a recent take-out order. We were looking for a well-loved sparkling wine for September and recalled this one that Penny has sipped so many times at the bar at Cornwall's. One of the reasons this place is a favorite is that Ed can enjoy their many draft beers and Penny will still have a choice of very nice wines. (We also enjoy the warm welcome and fun we have with the Cornwall team.)

That 1859 on the label is the year the family began making wines in Saumur.

Today, Françoise Flao heads the company and as they say, "With passion at the heart of her work, more than ever she cultivates her knowledge of the terroirs and the diversity of their grape varieties. Her knowledge of the land and the vine strengthens her links with the winemakers and enables her to control the quality of the grapes which give these wines their typical style."

In past writings about this wine, we've said:

"Like many rosés, this one always brings on a smile."

“It’s a very pretty pink, touched with just a little peach, with a light effervescence.”

"We could detect a little almond on the nose, maybe some strawberry. It has a nice dry background. To really appreciate this sparkler, don’t over-chill it!"

Here's the back label to let you know this wine comes from a very good importer, European Cellars, and is just 12% ABV.

Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

We purchase our bottle to go at Cornwall's for $22.00

Related Posts:

Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2012-2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino

September 1, 2020
We’ll Toast September with Cabernet Franc! It’s Louis de Grenelle Saumur Rosé

We are year-round rosé fans and Louis de Grenelle Saumur Rosé is a 100% Cabernet Franc sparkling rosé from the Loire Valley. We've enjoyed this wine in many fine dining restaurants over the years. This bottle came from our "local" (as in favorite local pub) Cornwall's in Kenmore Square.

We added a bottle to a recent take-out order. We were looking for a well-loved sparkling wine for September and recalled this one that Penny has sipped so many times at the bar at Cornwall's. One of the reasons this place is a favorite is that Ed can enjoy their many draft beers and Penny will still have a choice of very nice wines. (We also enjoy the warm welcome and fun we have with the Cornwall team.)

That 1859 on the label is the year the family began making wines in Saumur.

Today, Françoise Flao heads the company and as they say, "With passion at the heart of her work, more than ever she cultivates her knowledge of the terroirs and the diversity of their grape varieties. Her knowledge of the land and the vine strengthens her links with the winemakers and enables her to control the quality of the grapes which give these wines their typical style."

In past writings about this wine, we've said:

"Like many rosés, this one always brings on a smile."

“It’s a very pretty pink, touched with just a little peach, with a light effervescence.”

"We could detect a little almond on the nose, maybe some strawberry. It has a nice dry background. To really appreciate this sparkler, don’t over-chill it!"

Here's the back label to let you know this wine comes from a very good importer, European Cellars, and is just 12% ABV.

Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

We purchase our bottle to go at Cornwall's for $22.00

Related Posts:

Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2012-2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino

September 1, 2020
Raventos i Blanc de Nit Takes Us to Spain for Our February 1st Toast

Raventos i Blanc de Nit is such a favorite with us that one of the staff at Select Oyster Bar asked Penny if she wanted her usual last week, meaning Raventos. That question put it next up on the list of wines we would feature this year as we explore the concept of terroir.

Each month in 2020, we'll feature a bottle of wine from a different place. Some will be new to us and some, like this one, will be old favorites from great winemakers who respect the land and let the natural taste of the grapes and the land come through in the glass.

The Raventos family has been making wine on their land since 1497. They say, "We stand up for the huge potential that our terroir has for creating sparkling wines."

The Oxford Dictionary defines the word terroir as, "The complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate." And, "The characteristic taste and flavor imparted to a wine by the environment in which it is produced."

The words "Conca del Riu Anoia" on the label are a part of an effort by the Reventos family to create a recognized wine appellation with some of the specific characteristics we happen to look for in a wine. These standards include: using native varietals, biodynamic methods, estate-grown grapes, and proper aging.

They write, "Our dream is for the Raventós i Blanc wines to have their own name: Conca del Riu Anoia, the name of a small geographical area, centred around the River Anoia Basin, between the Catalan Pre-Coastal and Coastal Ranges."

Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month! Please join our Sparkling Resolution.

We purchased our bottle at Gordon's Fine Wines & Liquors for $26.99.

We've enjoyed this wine by the glass at Select Oyster Bar and by the half-bottle (they also have it through magnums) at Alcove.

Related Posts:

Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post: Join Us as We Toast…

A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino

February 1, 2020
Raventos i Blanc de Nit Takes Us to Spain for Our February 1st Toast

Raventos i Blanc de Nit is such a favorite with us that one of the staff at Select Oyster Bar asked Penny if she wanted her usual last week, meaning Raventos. That question put it next up on the list of wines we would feature this year as we explore the concept of terroir.

Each month in 2020, we'll feature a bottle of wine from a different place. Some will be new to us and some, like this one, will be old favorites from great winemakers who respect the land and let the natural taste of the grapes and the land come through in the glass.

The Raventos family has been making wine on their land since 1497. They say, "We stand up for the huge potential that our terroir has for creating sparkling wines."

The Oxford Dictionary defines the word terroir as, "The complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate." And, "The characteristic taste and flavor imparted to a wine by the environment in which it is produced."

The words "Conca del Riu Anoia" on the label are a part of an effort by the Reventos family to create a recognized wine appellation with some of the specific characteristics we happen to look for in a wine. These standards include: using native varietals, biodynamic methods, estate-grown grapes, and proper aging.

They write, "Our dream is for the Raventós i Blanc wines to have their own name: Conca del Riu Anoia, the name of a small geographical area, centred around the River Anoia Basin, between the Catalan Pre-Coastal and Coastal Ranges."

Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month! Please join our Sparkling Resolution.

We purchased our bottle at Gordon's Fine Wines & Liquors for $26.99.

We've enjoyed this wine by the glass at Select Oyster Bar and by the half-bottle (they also have it through magnums) at Alcove.

Related Posts:

Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post: Join Us as We Toast…

A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino

February 1, 2020
Champagne Moutard Brut Grande Cuvée, Love at First Sip!

As Pinot Noir lovers, we expected to like this grower Champagne. We didn’t anticipate wanting to buy a case after the first sip! Simply put, Moutard Grande Cuvée fits our taste, something Howie Rubin of Bauer Wine & Spirits knows well.

Through the years, many of our Sparkling Resolution wines have come from his suggestions. For August we asked him to select this month’s sparkler and he came up with a new favorite that made us go back for more.

Our constant search for, and love of, grower Champagnes doesn’t surprise Rubin who compares the increased interest in this category of winemakers to the locavore farm-to-table movement. “People want to know where their food and libation come from,” he explains, “and consuming small grower champagne satisfies that curiosity.”

Look at this way, “Which would you rather consume,” says Rubin, “a big, juicy, ripe tomato right off the farm, or one of those colorless and flavorless tomatoes that shows up in your salad … in January?”

Similarly, “When deciding between a small grower champagne or a mass produced version of the same style of wine,” Rubin says the choice is obvious. “Champagnes that are bottled by growers will usually be from a specific village and will be their top choice of grapes, which obviously they won’t sell to the big houses.”

The Moutard Grand Cuvee Brut Champagne pedigree includes 100% Pinot Noir grown in clay-limestone soils. The hand harvested grapes undergo a gentle pressing and are vinified in stainless steel tanks. Moutard proudly describes its production as a blend of several of the best vintages.

Tasting Notes:

The winemaker points to a, “refined, rich nose which evokes notes of butter, almond and brioche. Lively, elegant and balanced palate with good mouthfill.”

Distributor Polaner Selections touts, “A rich and mineral-driven Blanc de Noirs at an exceptional value.”

Wine Spectator

Rating: 90

“Bright and fresh, with a honey-laced finish.”

Vinous

Rating: 89

“… 100% Pinot Noir is laced with sweet tobacco, flowers, mint, dried herbs and red stone fruits.”

Eric Asimov, (NY Times wine critic)

“ … the Grande Cuvée from Moutard … showed its 100 percent pinot noir character in its rich, full-bodied texture and ripe fruit flavors.”

Howie Rubin (Bauer Wines)

“… aromas of fresh baked bread and wild strawberries … bright apple and quince flavors.”

We think what this wine doesn’t give up on the nose, it makes up on the palate. Perhaps Howie Rubin summed it up best, “Great champagnes are characterized by a long, persistent finish, and that’s where the Moutard shines. Compare it to one of the big names in champagne and you will see the difference.”

Here’s to August! And, here’s to Grower Champagnes!

We purchased our bottle of Champagne Moutard Brut Grande Cuvée at Bauer Wine & Spirits (price: $39.99).

More …

Howie Rubin on: The Growing Interest in Grower Champagne [PDF Full Text]

Here’s How Our Sparkling Resolution Began

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Mastering Hamersley's Roast Chicken Recipe

Water Main Flushing May Mean Rusty Water…

Meet Coco the Cafe Yogi

July 31, 2015
Champagne Moutard Brut Grande Cuvée, Love at First Sip!

As Pinot Noir lovers, we expected to like this grower Champagne. We didn’t anticipate wanting to buy a case after the first sip! Simply put, Moutard Grande Cuvée fits our taste, something Howie Rubin of Bauer Wine & Spirits knows well.

Through the years, many of our Sparkling Resolution wines have come from his suggestions. For August we asked him to select this month’s sparkler and he came up with a new favorite that made us go back for more.

Our constant search for, and love of, grower Champagnes doesn’t surprise Rubin who compares the increased interest in this category of winemakers to the locavore farm-to-table movement. “People want to know where their food and libation come from,” he explains, “and consuming small grower champagne satisfies that curiosity.”

Look at this way, “Which would you rather consume,” says Rubin, “a big, juicy, ripe tomato right off the farm, or one of those colorless and flavorless tomatoes that shows up in your salad … in January?”

Similarly, “When deciding between a small grower champagne or a mass produced version of the same style of wine,” Rubin says the choice is obvious. “Champagnes that are bottled by growers will usually be from a specific village and will be their top choice of grapes, which obviously they won’t sell to the big houses.”

The Moutard Grand Cuvee Brut Champagne pedigree includes 100% Pinot Noir grown in clay-limestone soils. The hand harvested grapes undergo a gentle pressing and are vinified in stainless steel tanks. Moutard proudly describes its production as a blend of several of the best vintages.

Tasting Notes:

The winemaker points to a, “refined, rich nose which evokes notes of butter, almond and brioche. Lively, elegant and balanced palate with good mouthfill.”

Distributor Polaner Selections touts, “A rich and mineral-driven Blanc de Noirs at an exceptional value.”

Wine Spectator

Rating: 90

“Bright and fresh, with a honey-laced finish.”

Vinous

Rating: 89

“… 100% Pinot Noir is laced with sweet tobacco, flowers, mint, dried herbs and red stone fruits.”

Eric Asimov, (NY Times wine critic)

“ … the Grande Cuvée from Moutard … showed its 100 percent pinot noir character in its rich, full-bodied texture and ripe fruit flavors.”

Howie Rubin (Bauer Wines)

“… aromas of fresh baked bread and wild strawberries … bright apple and quince flavors.”

We think what this wine doesn’t give up on the nose, it makes up on the palate. Perhaps Howie Rubin summed it up best, “Great champagnes are characterized by a long, persistent finish, and that’s where the Moutard shines. Compare it to one of the big names in champagne and you will see the difference.”

Here’s to August! And, here’s to Grower Champagnes!

We purchased our bottle of Champagne Moutard Brut Grande Cuvée at Bauer Wine & Spirits (price: $39.99).

More …

Howie Rubin on: The Growing Interest in Grower Champagne [PDF Full Text]

Here’s How Our Sparkling Resolution Began

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Mastering Hamersley's Roast Chicken Recipe

Water Main Flushing May Mean Rusty Water…

Meet Coco the Cafe Yogi

July 31, 2015