Category: Uncategorized

“Natural wine” is a popular buzzword these days, one with varied definitions and no lack of controversy. Whatever you take it to mean — biodynamic, no sulfites, organic, unfiltered — the goal is the same: to create wine with little intervention between grape and glass.

Northern Rhône and Beaujolais

This morning we visited our Northern Rhône producers, tasting wines from Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, and Côte Rôtie. Winemakers here are basking in the glow of the 2015 vintage, said to be the best in 55 years. We don’t have quite that long a memory, but from this morning’s tastings we can confirm that this is an extraordinary vintage.

Northward along the Rhône...

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Four Ways

In 1895, at age 56 impressionist painter Paul Cezanne had his first solo show in Paris. His 150 paintings were a revelation to artists and collectors, and the show secured his place as a leading artist of his time. But despite his first real commercial success, Cezanne returned south to live out his final decade in his beloved Provence.

The towns of Volnay and Pommard are the two finest red wine towns in Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune. Hugh Johnson describes Volnay as “fragrant and ethereal,” Pommard as “dark” and “potent.” Together they’re a perfect example of the power of Burgundian terroir: they share a border and the towns themselves are less than a mile apart, but their identifying characteristics…

Ansonia Weekly Video Update: March 28 SAINT CLAIR Crozes-Hermitage "Etincelle" 2015 FOULAQUIER Violetta 2015 MIXED CASE: Grenache Sampler THOMAS St-Aubin 2015

The wine regions of France are enormous and diverse. The wide range of styles, grapes, and and traditions produces a staggering variety of wines. That offers enough diversity to keep us busy for years, and in some regions we feel as though we have barely scratched the surface.

VIDEO UPDATE: March 21, 2017 LAFONT MENAUT Pessac-Leognan red 2014 BOURÉE Bourgogne rouge 2015 BELLAND Santenay 1er cru blanc 2014 POGGERINO Labirinto 2015