Climate change touches the forefront of many areas including viticulture. There are thousands of wine grape varieties around the world yet just eleven (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Chasselas, Chardonnay, Grenache, Merlot, Monastrell or Mourvèdre, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Ugni Blanc) are responsible for more than a third of global production. These varieties make up 64 to 87% of production in… Read more »
Spring is transition time, a deliberate shift from the heaviness of winter to outward energy and light. Loimer’s Grüners are a shift from light to great pleasure. Austria put itself on the wine map via one grape, Grüner Veltliner. It’s the leader among grape varieties in the country and thriving in 41% of the total vine area. To learn more… Read more »
An advocate of biodynamic agriculture you want to meet in Loire Valley’s Fiefs Vendéens AOC is Thierry Michon at Domaine Saint Nicolas. It’s a way of life for him!
One of the most enthralling forms of Chenin Blanc comes from the Loire Valley. The castles are enthralling too. Pair them together and you won’t want to leave. Grown from the Pays Nantais on the western most side of the valley (known as the Lower Loire) to the Touraine district (known as Middle Loire), the Chenin Blanc grape thrives in… Read more »
I recently acquainted myself with Domaine de Cigalus located within the Languedoc Corbières area in southern France. This is where Gérard Bertrand built a biodynamic wine empire and owns several wineries. He is a proponent of the Languedoc region and lives there at the Domaine where biodynamic agriculture started for him in 2002. Although this 6’5” man makes both red… Read more »
The northern part of the Languedoc-Roussillon in Corbiéres is where you will find wine producer Château La Baronne respecting the eb and flow of…
March 12, 2018 – Didier Barral, the proprietor of Domaine Leon Barral is a revolutionary man producing biodynamic wines in the Faugères AOP. This hilly area is known as Grand Terroir de Schist where Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Cinsault are primary red grapes. I looked to this region for a wine to elevate my lazy Sunday evening.
Champagne was not discovered in Champagne! Sorry to burst your bubble but it’s the truth. This month our French #Winophiles group is exploring Champagne, a beverage that elicits strong reactions and thoughts. It’s more than just an elegant drink for special occasions. Like wine, it’s something to enjoy often with a wide variety of foods. It was the year 1531… Read more »