Wine With Wanda

Sparkle All Season With Champagne Piper-Heidsieck!

 

Tis the season to sparkle, in your spirit and in your glass! Get into the festive mood of the holiday season with a bottle of Champagne Piper-Heidsieck. It’s impossible to be a Grinch when Piper-Heidsieck’s petite bubbles are dancing in your glass! I’m happy to say that I’ve lost count of how many glasses of Piper-Heidsieck I’ve sipped over the years. Consistently elegant and always intriguing, Champagne Piper-Heidsieck always makes me smile. Founded in 1785, Piper-Heidsieck elicits smiles around the globe; it is poured in over 100 countries!

Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut ($60) is the House’s signature cuvée. Festive and full of finesse, it blends Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay from 100 crus with reserve wines. A generous and balanced bubbly, it is crisp and round with bright fruit and vibrant energy. Classic and chic!

Look at that color! Piper-Heidsieck Rosé Sauvage ($72) brings a bit more drama to the party! An unusually large proportion of red wines give this Rosé champagne its stunning ruby hue and bold personality. Pinot Noir dominates the blend, of which 20-25% is vinified as red wine. Meunier, Chardonnay and reserve wines add additional complexity and nuance. Juicy red and black berry flavors mingle seamlessly with hints of spice.

Make it an even more festive and fabulous holiday season with Piper-Heidsieck!

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Chapoutier for the Holidays!

Add some ooh la la to the holidays with the wines of M.Chapoutier! I’m a big fan of Chapoutier’s elegant, terroir-driven, and authentic wines; they always add a bit of magic to meals and time together with friends and family.

I took this photo of Michel Chapoutier when we met in 2018. 

The Chapoutier family has been making wine in the Rhône Valley since 1808, but 1990 was a turning point in their history. With the bold visionary Michel Chapoutier at the helm, the family winery became a trailblazing powerhouse. Under Michel’s leadership, Chapoutier introduced Single Vineyard Selection wines that express the unique terroir of a site. To ensure that visually impaired wine lovers could access the information on his wine labels, Chapoutier began embossing their labels in braille. Also, since 1990, the Maison M. CHAPOUTIER has been unwavering in their commitment to practicing biodynamic viticulture. Care for the land and concern for others doesn’t just drive Chapoutier to make great wine, but to make a difference. 

I’ll be adding some ooh la la to the holidays with two Chapoutier wines.

Les Meysonniers Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2019 ($45) is 100% Marsanne from gently sloping south-facing hillsides. It is described as a white wine that “epitomizes the character of Marsanne in Crozes-Hermitage”. “The nose is full of quince, peony, and roasted almonds and the palate is fresh and supple.”

Monier de la Sizeranne Hermitage 2016 ($162) is 100% Syrah sourced from three vineyards with different soil types. The winemaker's notes say, “Red fruits with a hint of liquorice are evident on the nose. The palate is round and elegant with flavours of blackcurrant, raspberry and spicy aromas when it is young."

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Deep Roots and Wines That Soar: A Taste of Catalunya with Familia Torres

Miguel Torres Maczassek, President, Familia Torres

If you’ve been reading my wine musings for a fair amount of time, it’s no secret that I love Spain and I have great affection and respect for family-owned wineries with a long history. So, it was an absolute joy and honor to chat on Instagram Live with Miguel Torres Maczassek, fifth-generation vintner and president of Familia Torres. In 2020, Familia Torres Winery celebrated their 150th anniversary, but their winemaking roots in Spain can be traced back to 1557! 

Familia Torres produces quality wine from 9 DOs across Spain, and in Chile too, but our tasting focused on wines from Catalunya, where the family has deep roots. During our chat, we discussed the rich history of Familia Torres, their commitment to sustainability, high-altitude heroic viticulture, regenerative farming, and the important role monks played in winemaking in Catalunya. We tasted:

Varietat Recuperada “Forcada” 2019 ($74) – The Torres family placed ads in newspapers asking for help in locating pre-Phylloxera ancestral varieties. 60 varieties have been identified, including this Forcada from the northwest of Penedés. A very aromatic white wine, it has great body, texture, and acidity and flavors of chamomile, citrus, and a bit of honey and white peach. A real treat and treasure!

Purgatori 2017, Costers del Segre ($48) is a blend of Cariñena, Garnacha, and Syrah from a more inland area. It has concentration, but there’s a wonderful freshness that prevents it from being jammy.

Salmos 2017, Priorat ($42), is also a blend of Cariñena, Garnacha and Syrah. I love the Mediterranean character of this wine; you can really smell and taste the influence of mountain herbs and the sunny climate. The wine is bold but not overbearing with rich and juicy red and black berry flavors.

Watch the video for Miguel’s wonderful tasting notes and background info on the wines. Cheers!

Savor Every Bubble with the Coravin Sparkling Wine Preservation System

Greg Lambrecht, Inventor and Founder, Coravin

Coravin wine preservation systems have become treasured tools for wine consumers and professionals by eliminating the worry of wasting unfinished wine. Until recently, that protection was limited to still wines, but the new Coravin Sparkling™ makes the dream of a reliable preservation system for bubbly a reality. The Coravin Sparkling™ Sparkling Preservation System ($399) preserves the crisp flavor and effervescence of sparkling wines for up to 4 weeks.

To learn more about the Coravin Sparkling™, watch my Instagram Live with Coravin inventor Greg Lambrecht. During our chat, Greg demonstrated how to use the system. And I put the system to the test with bottles of Veuve Clicquot Champagne La Grande Dame 2008 and Ruinart Champagne Rosé that I had preserved with the Coravin Sparkling™ six nights prior. The system is very easy to use, and the bubblies were in pristine condition when I removed the sparkling stoppers. 

 

After our chat, I used the Coravin Sparkling™ unit again and popped the bottles back in the fridge. I will open the wines in about three weeks and post an update on Instagram. I tested the unit with Champagne, but it is compatible with all sparkling wines, from Cava to Trentodoc, Pet-Nat to Prosecco. 

I think the Coravin Sparkling™ is great for wine professionals and consumers. Restaurants can use it to expand the number of sparkling wines they offer by the glass. For the home user, the Coravin Sparkling™ makes it possible to explore more than one bubbly at a time and not feel pressured to finish one bottle before opening another. Savor every bubble! 

Time in a Bottle: Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon

Enrique Tirado, Winemaker, Don Melchor

My recent Instagram Live chat with Enrique Tirado, winemaker for Don Melchor, reminded me that wine is one of the best ways to ponder the passage of time. Each vintage is a snapshot of that year. What was happening in the vineyard, the world, and even your own life? Drink and think! 

I first experienced the charms of Don Melchor about five years ago when I shared a bottle of the 2014 vintage over dinner with some friends. It was love at first sip, and I have tasted every new vintage since then. And thanks to a retrospective tasting hosted by Enrique in New York City a few years ago, I've tasted almost every vintage of Don Melchor, including the debut 1987 vintage. 


During our chat, we tasted the yet-to-be-released 2019 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon ($120). One of Chile's most iconic wines, the second vintage of Don Melchor (1988), was the first Chilean wine to be named to Wine Spectator's Top 100, where it has placed nine times, including three placements in the Top 10. 

In a world full of Cabernet Sauvignon, Don Melchor is something special. A terroir-driven wine, Don Melchor is crafted from grapes from the Puente Alto vineyard, in the Maipo Valley, at the foot of the Andes Mountains. The vineyard's 127 hectares are divided into seven plots that are partitioned into even smaller plots of 151 parcels. The 2019 vintage blends 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot from 150 parcels. For this reason, Enrique describes Don Melchor as not a single Cabernet Sauvignon but multiple expressions.

Enrique described this meticulous vineyard mapping, grape selection, and blending process in our chat. Each year, this precision in the vineyard and the cellar consistently yields a Don Melchor that is elegant, balanced, and a compelling snapshot of that specific vintage. What a beautiful way to document a year! Watch the video for Enrique's tasting notes and more details about the process for crafting Don Melchor. 

Elegant Sips from the South of France: The Wines of Maison Lorgeril

Miren de Lorgeril, CEO, Maison Lorgeril

Talk about Old World: the Lorgeril family has been making wine since 1620. But these prominent vintners are not stuck in the past. I recently had the pleasure of chatting on Instagram Live with Miren de Lorgeril, CEO of Maison Lorgeril, and discovered that the family enthusiastically embraces innovation without sacrificing authenticity. Lorgeril has expanded their footprint in the South of France, and they currently own six wineries in nine appellations of Languedoc and Roussillon.

During our chat, we tasted Lorgeril's Domaine de La Borie Blanche 2019, AOP Mivervois La Laviniere (Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvédre, $27) and Chàteau de Pennautier 2019, AOP Cabarde (Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache, $27). Elegant and beautifully balanced, these wines have a depth of flavor – fruit, minerality, and bright acidity. Miren explains how terroir, including Lorgeril's high-altitude vineyards, influences their flavor profile. For Miren's tasting notes, watch the video below, or click this link.

From Montalcino to Maremma: A Conversation with Tancredi Biondi Santi

Tancredi Biondi Santi, Castello di Montepó

Any discussion of Italian wine history would be incomplete without acknowledging the contributions of the Biondi Santi family. In the 1800's, Ferruccio Biondi Santi planted the first vineyard in Montalcino with a clone of Sangiovese. That grape was Sangiovese Grosso, the soul of the iconic wine Brunello di Montalcino. Bottles of Brunello bearing the Biondi Santi name have long captivated wine lovers, but the family has spread their wings beyond Montalcino to Maremma and their hilltop winery estate in southern Tuscany, Castello di Montepò. 


Castello di Montepò Sassoalloro 2015 ($35) is fresh and crisp, with bright cherry flavors and juicy acidity. An elegant sip! 

I recently had the pleasure of catching up with Tancredi Biondi Santi on Instagram Live -- we first met in New York in 2018. Tancredi proudly represents the seventh generation of the Biondi Santi winemaking dynasty. During our chat, we sipped Sassoalloro 2015 and discussed how his family's proprietary Sangiovese Grosso clone, known as BBS11, responds to the unique terroir of Castello di Montepò. Scroll down or click here to watch our conversation! 

Exploring Other Italian Wines

Recently, I was a guest on the Inside Wine podcast, hosted by Joe Janish. The theme was Exploring Other Italian Wines and we focused on wines beyond the well-known Prosecco, Chianti, and Pinot Grigio. By the end of the chat, I hope you're inspired to pour a glass of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Greco di Tufo, Carricante, Verdicchio, Trentodoc, Francicorta, or Lambrusco! Click this link to listen! 

 

Premiere Napa Valley Wine Week

I had the pleasure of hosting an Instagram Live session for Premiere Napa Valley Wine Week. Napa Valley winemakers craft their finest, most innovative and creative wines exclusively for Premiere Napa Valley. Produced in lots of as little as 60 to no more than 240 bottles, these wines are not normally offered from the winery and will never be replicated. Visit the Premiere Napa Valley website and learn how to build your collection with these rare wines. 

To watch my interview with winemakers Paula Kornell (Paula Kornell Sparkling Wine), Wesley Steffens (Vineyard 7 & 8) and Jim Close (Gamble Family Vineyards) and learn about the special wines they created for Premiere Napa Valley, click here or scroll down! 

Vitalie Taittinger Leads an Effervescent Evolution at Champagne Taittinger

“If we consider that Champagne is only tradition, we will create the old Champagne, and I never want to, because Champagne is a lively brand, a lively product,” she says.“This is bubbly; this is sparkling; this is crispy. So, it has to breathe, and it has to continue to evolve.” - Vitalie Taittinger

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Vitalie Tattinger, president and CEO of Champagne Taittinger, for The SOMM Journal. Founded nearly a century ago, Champagne Taittinger is one of the few remaining family-owned and operated Champagne houses. You can find the profile on page 4 of the October/November 2021issue. 

 

Passion, Patience, Precision: Rare Champagne Millésime 2008

Sharing a bottle of Champagne with your beloved is always a good idea. And if the bubbly being poured is Rare Champagne Millésime 2008 ($210), the odds of your love being reciprocated may increase! Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but the exquisite nature of Rare 2008 can warm a cold heart and excite a jaded palate. True to its name, only twelve exceptional vintages of Rare Brut and Rosé Millésime have been declared since its debut in 1976.

Since 2004, Régis Camus has been honored eight times as the Sparkling Winemaker of the Year by the International Wine Challenge. 

The release of a new Rare vintage is always highly anticipated, and Rare 2008 lives up to the exceptional quality of its predecessors. Award-winning cellarmaster Régis Camus considers Rare a portrait of the vintage. He always selects one word to describe each Rare vintage, and Camus has declared 2008 as infinite. "For me, Rare Millésime 2008 embodies the infinite, with its unlimited, rich, constantly present youth and freshness. These sensations intertwine on the palate in a constant cycle of flavors, each more precise and harmonious than the one before. While already a pleasure to drink, this vintage has now acquired an exceptional complexity and mineral character, punctuated with exotic spices notes that promise infinite longevity."

Over the years, I've had the honor of tasting several Rare vintages with Camus, and his passion for Champagne lights up the room. This year's tasting was virtual, but that did not diminish the excitement of the occasion. For Régis, Rare is a labor of love that melds his respect and appreciation for each vintage with his talent and technical prowess. Presented in a black bottle that is elegantly adorned with a gleaming gold tiara, the esthetics evoke the style of Rare Champagne: opulent yet tasteful, dramatic but balanced.

Making quality Champagne is no easy feat and requires patience. Rare takes no shortcuts and pushes the envelope. For example, most Champagne houses released their 2008 Brut vintage in 2018, but Régis consistently tasted and evaluated Rare as it aged. Once it met his exacting standards, he declared Rare 2008 ready for release in 2021.

A blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, Rare 2008 strikes a perfect balance between freshness and complexity. It shows the richness and nuance that comes with aged Champagne without sacrificing energy and balance. A beautiful sip!

Sip This: Bodegas Granbazán Albarińo Don Alvaro de Bazán 2015

How could I not be intrigued by Granbazán Albariño Don Álvaro de Bazán 2015 ($50)? This single-vineyard and six-year-old Albariño from Rias Baixas elegantly proves that Albariño can have aging power. We’re all familiar with the fresh charms of young Albariño, but when these wines are carefully crafted with aging in mind, they’re something special. Sourced from a single plot, the Albariño grapes were fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel and aged on the lees for 36 months. The flirty, fresh, and pretty essence of Albariño remains, but extended aging takes the flavors and textures to the next level. Peach, citrus, salinity, honeysuckle, chalky minerality, round and luscious – this vino is pretty fantastic. 

I also recommend Granbazán Etiqueta Verde 2020 ($18). This classic expression of a young Rias Baixas Albariño is an elegant thirst quencher on a steamy day. 

Watch my IG Live chat with Bodegas Granbazán winemaker Diego Ríos to learn more about their wonderful wines and Rias Baixas. 

Don Melchor Dazzles Again

“Don Melchor is for me the constant search for the best expression of each of the vines within the vineyard, in order to achieve the beauty of the balance of the terroir of Puente Alto in each vintage. That is my true obsession. I use technology as a tool to achieve greater knowledge, but with this, observing and feeling each plant and wine is what allows us to achieve the perfect balance in each vintage." - Enrique Tirado, Winemaker & General Manager, Viña Don Melchor

Is there a wine in your life that makes your heart skip a beat when a new vintage is released? I was introduced to Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon five years ago and it was love at first sip. At that time, I had no idea that Don Melchor was considered a Chilean wine icon. I grabbed the bottle to share with friends, and we were all mesmerized. Based on my tasting of the newly released 2018 vintage, my affection for this game-changing Chilean wine shows no signs of wavering.

First created in 1987, the second vintage of Don Melchor (1988) was the first Chilean wine named to Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the World. Since then, it has placed on this prestigious list nine times, including three placements in the Top 10.

In a world full of Cabernet Sauvignon, what makes Don Melchor so unique? To answer this question, I defer to Enrique Tirado, the winemaker and general manager of Viña Don Melchor: "Don Melchor is not a single Cabernet Sauvignon, but multiple expressions."


The grapes for Don Melchor are sourced from seven parcels in the Puente Alto Vineyard in the upper Maipo Valley, at the foot of the Andes Mountains. The next steps reflect Tirado's meticulous approach to crafting Don Melchor: the seven parcels are harvested independently and more than 150 micro-vinifications are made in the cellar, they are then tasted and selected for the final composition. No single component represents more than 60% or 70% of the blend. Crafting Don Melchor is truly is a labor of love for Tirado and his team. Their precision and passion are reflected in Don Melchor's elegance, authenticity, and consistency that still respects and expresses vintage variation. 


Tirado has crafted Don Melchor since 1995 and he said, “Don Melchor 2018 manages to produce that unique sensation you only get from great wines and great vintages”. The ideal weather conditions yielded grapes of exceptional quality. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (91%), Cabernet Franc (5%), Merlot (3%), and Petit Verdot (1%), Don Melchor 2018 ($120) is bold, balanced, refined but exuberant. It is complex but not off-putting. Vibrant and robust, it does not cross the line towards jammy vulgarity. Flavors of pristine red and dark berries, fine tannins, hints of herbs, and a kiss of earth; they're all in the glass.

My only regret is that maybe I sipped 2018 too soon. 2018 is impressive now, but Don Melchor tends to age like a dream, becoming more captivating over time. I've tasted 2017 a few times, including side-by-side with 2018, and that additional year in the bottle has added even more nuance and lushness. I know the already marvelous 2018 will be even more dazzling over time.

PS – I interviewed Enrique Tirado a few months ago on Instagram Live, and he does a beautiful job describing the philosophy, process, and style of Don Melchor.

When Clean is Controversial: Avaline's Simple Wines Bring Plenty of Delicious Drama!

Katherine Power & Cameron Diaz, Founders of Avaline 
image courtesy of Avaline

The response from the wine media was fast and furious when actor Cameron Diaz and entrepreneur Katherine Power introduced their Avaline wines to the world last year. Quicker than you could chill a bottle, Avaline’s "clean wine" claims were branded as misleading. It’s true that much of the language surrounding clean wines is cloudy; there is no legal definition of clean wine.

Avaline's website states that “Avaline makes clean, delicious wines with organic grapes. Transparently produced, full of natural goodness, free of unnecessary extras.” It is wonderful that Avaline’s wines are crafted from organic grapes, but that’s not quite revolutionary. Regarding additives, Avaline does filter their wines with bentonite clay, and cream of tartar is added to prevent the formation of crystals. There’s nothing controversial about these additives, but they’re certainly not necessary -- trust me, wine geeks love an unfiltered wine!  

I like the charming and talented Cameron Diaz, she actually seems like someone that it would be fun to share a bottle with, but I confess that I always approach celebrity wines with some skepticism. But I finally accepted an invitation to give Avaline a swirl. From all accounts, Avaline is a hit with consumers, so I wanted to taste the wines sent to me with an open mind. No one likes a wine snob. 


Avaline White Wine ($24)
The label says Made In Spain, but no region is listed. Vintage and information about the blend are also absent. A search on Avaline's website yielded more info: Avaline White is a combination of Xarel-lo, Macabeo, and Malvasia grapes sourced from Can Ràfols dels Caus, respected producers in Penédes, Catalunya. That’s a delightful surprise -- Xarel-lo and Macabeo are essential to producing the Spanish sparkling wine Cava, so it’s a treat to encounter these varieties in a still wine. The label describes the wine as “dry with a crisp fresh finish”. I must admit, this is a pleasant sip. Fresh with perky acidity, flavors of citrus, green apple, pear, fresh-cut grass, and a hint of salinity, this is a charming summer wine to enjoy as an apéritif or paired with salads and fresh seafood. 

Avaline Red Wine ($24)
The label simply states Vin de France with no indication of region or the blend, so once again, I had to do some detective work on Avaline’s website. A blend of Grenache & Syrah from the Southern Rhône, “the winemaking family respectfully asked Avaline to keep their identity confidential." A light-bodied and juicy red with flavors of black cherry, and pops of black pepper and spice, I recommend serving this red slightly chilled. A tasty pairing with barbecue or pizza. 

My final thoughts? Fresh, fruit-forward, and tasty, Avaline’s wines aren’t complex, but they are enjoyable everyday wines. I applaud their commitment to using organic grapes and for avoiding some of the more questionable additives often seen in mass-produced wines. The wines are also Vegan Friendly. The debate about clean wine is an important one, but I wish Avaline would devote some space on their labels to detailing the grape varieties. Personally, I want to know more about the grapes, regions, and producers: come clean with those great details and don't bury them on the website! 

Share Wine & Quality Time Virtually with the Gaja Family

“I am an artisan. What does it mean to be an artisan? It means to have my own project, that I like to do in my own way. The process starts in the vineyards, that is the most important for us, through the cellar until arriving in the market. My wish is to be able to give inspiration to my collaborators.” - Angelo Gaja

Could winemaker Angelo Gaja be the antidote for Zoom fatigue? When an 81-years-young Angelo Gaja appeared on my computer screen from his vineyard in Piedmont, surrounded by yellow mustard flowers and imitating the buzzing sounds of the bees that are an essential part of the vineyard’s vitality, it was a  welcome shock to my system. Gaja’s wines are iconic, but a recent virtual tasting hosted by Wine.com, offered a rare opportunity to hear from the man behind the label. In wine circles, he is a legend, but in his heart, Angelo Gaja is an artisan.

With a rich history that spans five generations, Gaja’s wines have a powerful voice, and each bottle tells a story of tradition, innovation, land, family, and passion. During the Wine.com tasting, Angelo and his children, Gaia and Giovanni, amplified the message of their wines with heartwarming anecdotes and a guided tasting of three wines: Ca’Marcanda Magari from Bolgheri, Pieve Santa Restituta Brunello di Montalcino, and Gaja DaGromis Barolo from Piedmont.

Angelo spoke of how he teaches his children to think differently and follow their passion, and Gaia and Giovanni have certainly taken his example to heart. Wine isn’t just a business for the Gaja family; it’s at the core of their being. As Angelo said, winemakers are blessed to have a foot in nature and a foot in the world. Thanks to the wines of Gaja, I can have a foot in Manhattan and a foot in Italy.

If you want to take your palate on an adventure and feel inspired by the Gaja family’s words of wisdom, watch the video on Wine.com and pair your viewing with the wines featured in the tasting.


The tasting set, offered at a discounted price of $229.99, includes the wines listed below. Tasting notes courtesy of Wine.com. 

Gaja Ca'Marcanda Magari
The Gaja Ca'Marcanda Magari is a glowing intense color. The nose is polished, refined, focused and expressive, notes of eucalyptus, herbs and pine. Fine-grained tannins surround a sleek core of black cherry, blackberry and licorice flavors, with fresh nuances gliding through a long-lasting and expressive finish. Blend: 60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot.

Gaja Pieve Santa Restituta Brunello di Montalcino
Deep garnet color. Charming notes of juniper berries, licorice and sweet wood greet your nose. This Brunello has a very clear expression of sweet and ripe fruit, opening on the palate, with notes of spice and earthy aromatic herbs. This wine has remarkable texture, mouth-filling fruit and a very good length.

Gaja DaGromis Barolo
Gaja DaGromis Barolo is an intense red color. Aromas of violets, rose petals and a hint of white pepper combine with rich, red currant, licorice and balanced oak. The initial aromatics flow across the palate with freshness and harmonious complexity, revealing juicy red orange and red grapefruit. The classic licorice and mineral austerity is buttressed by oak and noticeable tannins, which soften as the wine ages.

Sustainable, Innovative, and Connected to Tradition: Get to Know the Wines of Miguel Torres Chile

Eduardo Jordàn Villalobos, Winemaker, Miguel Torres Chile  

If you're a fan of Spanish wines, Miguel Torres is a very familiar name; the family-owned winery's legacy in Spain spans 150 years. Not content with making wine exclusively in their homeland, in the 1970s, they set their sights on the Southern Hemisphere, and Miguel Torres Chile was founded in 1979. Miguel Torres was the first foreign winery to arrive in Chile, bringing know-how, passion, innovation, and a respect for Chilean culture.  I recently had the pleasure of chatting on Instagram Live with their winemaker Eduardo Jordàn Villalobos. 

Stainless steel vats and French oak barrels were introduced to Chile by Miguel Torres-- innovations that played a pivotal role in the evolution of Chilean wines. Strong advocates of sustainability and environmental stewardship, they are founding members of the International Wineries for Climate Action and were named Social Visionary of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2019.



During our chat, we tasted Miguel Torres Chile Estelado Brut Rose País($18.99), the first Chilean sparkling wine made from País, Chile's oldest grape variety. Crafted in the traditional method, it is crisp and refreshing with lively flavors of strawberry, cherry, and a hint of tangerine. 

We also sipped Miguel Torres Chile VIGNO Vignadores de Carignan ($20.99). Crafted from old bush vines that are at least 30-years-old, it delivers lots of character at a great price point. Rustic but elegant, it is big but balanced with rich fruit flavors, hints of herbs, subtle oak, and bright acidity. 

Kevin Zraly Has a Way With Words and Wine

"I soon learned that wine is not merely learning about a beverage, but also understanding the history, language, culture, and traditions of the people and countries where each wine is made. Wine is a very complicated subject, one that reinvents itself every year with a new vintage; the fact that wines constantly change makes for a fascinating and a lifelong study."
Kevin Zraly, Wine Educator and Author of the Windows on the World Complete Wine Course

What a career and what a storyteller! The inimitable Kevin Zraly is an award-winning wine writer and one of the world's foremost wine educators. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Kevin on Instagram Live. 

Kevin has been teaching wine for 50 years and has written eight books, including his annually updated Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, which has sold more than four million copies - making it the number one wine book in the United States. The book is now in its 35th edition and is an indispensable resource for all wine lovers. In addition to essential information about grapes, wines, and regions, the newest edition also includes a fascinating chapter that details Kevin's career and the evolution of food and wine culture in the US over the last 50 years. 

In 1976, Kevin was hired by famed restaurateur Joe Baum to "Create the biggest and best wine list New York has ever seen, and don't worry about how much it costs!" for Windows of the World, located on the 106th and 107th floors of New York City's World Trade Center. Not only did Kevin create an award-winning wine list, he also founded the Windows on the World Wine School. The school continued uninterrupted for 25 years until the tragic destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Eventually, Kevin relaunched the school in a new setting and it ran successfully until he held his final class in November 2016. Kevin is now teaching his fun and fast-paced Virtual One Hour Wine Expert classes online, in addition to advanced and master classes. 

Say Ciao to Mionetto Prosecco Rosé

image courtesy of Mionetto

No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you; there's a flirty pink glow emanating from the Prosecco aisle of your favorite wine shop. Prosecco Rosé was officially approved as a DOC in 2020 and the wines have started arriving in the US. Wine lovers no longer have to choose between Prosecco's perky bubbles and rosé's blush-hued charms. To learn more about the new Prosecco Rosé category, I recently chatted on Instagram Live with Enore Ceola, CEO and Managing Director of Freixenet Mionetto USA.


Enore Ceola, CEO and Managing Director of Freixenet Mionetto USA

A native of the Prosecco region, Enore is widely credited for not only introducing Mionetto to American consumers, but to Prosecco overall as a category. Founded in 1887 in Valdobbiadene, Mionetto Prosecco became available in the USA in 1997 and paved the way for the expansive selection of Prosecco wines at our fingertips. Even The New York Times proclaimed, “Perhaps no one has pushed harder to establish Prosecco in the United States than Mionetto.”

There are exacting standards that a wine must meet in order to be labeled Prosecco Rosé DOC. For example, Glera, the grape which is the heart and soul of Prosecco, must dominate the blend. Pinot Nero is the only grape permitted in the rosé blend and only 10-15% is permitted. And all Prosecco Rosé must be dated with a vintage. During our chat, Enore explained all of this and more as we sipped Mionetto Prosecco Rosé Millesimato 2019 ($15). A blend of 90% Glera and 10% Pinot Nero, it is Extra Dry with vibrant red berry flavors and a kiss of citrus. 

Add Sparkle to Your Day with Champagne Laurent-Perrier

Michelle DeFeo, President of Laurent-Perrier US
photo: Chris George 

A day that includes Champagne and compelling conversation is always cause for celebration, even when the bubbles are shared virtually! I recently had the pleasure of sipping Champagne Laurent-Perrier with Michelle DeFeo, President of Laurent-Perrier US, on Instagram Live. The elegant wines and sparkling conversation added some welcome ooh la la to my day. Watch our chat on IGTV or by clicking the video below. 

Founded in 1812, Laurent-Perrier remains family-owned. Following in the footsteps of the many dynamic women in the House's history, today Laurent-Perrier is managed by sisters Alexandra Pereyre de Nonancourt and Stéphanie Meneux de Nonancourt. Michelle is the first women to lead a subsidiary of Laurent-Perrier and she has built a successful sales team that is 85% women. As a young girl, Michelle became enchanted with France and this passion was the catalyst for an academic and professional journey that led her to Laurent-Perrier. Our chat covers all this and more!

 During our conversation, we tasted Champagne Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée ($49.99) and Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé ($99).



A blend of 55% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 10% Meunier, Champagne Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée was fermented In stainless steel to maintain the freshness and vitality of the grapes. When the House adopted this technique in the 1950's, they were among the first to do so in Champagne. Combined with 4 years of aging, the resulting bubbly is fresh  and full of life, but also complex. Crisp, with lively fruit flavors, and pronounced minerality; sipping La Cuvée is pure joy. 

100% Pinot Noir, Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé was introduced in 1968, long before "rosé all day" was a trendy mantra. This is not a meek and blah rosé Champagne. Its stunning color is only rivaled by the sensational taste. Rich and beautifully balanced, Cuvée Rosé is quite va va voom, but in the most elegant way. 

Say Olá to Alentejo With the Wines of Casa Relvas

Alexandre Relvas, Chief Winemaker & Co-Owner, Casa Relvas (Alentejo, Portugal)

In 2018, I embarked on my first and only trip to Portugal to visit wineries in Alentejo and it was magical. But after chatting with fifth generation vintner Alexandre Relvas on Instagram Live, I know that my next journey to Alentejo would be incomplete without a visit to Casa Relvas. You can watch our conversation and tasting on IGTV, YouTube, or by clicking the video below. 

During our conversation, Alexandre described Alentejo's rich winemaking history and how wines made in amphora are an integral part of the region's legacy. We tasted two wines that display Casa Relvas's commitment to innovation and tradition: Art.Terra Amphora Red 2020 ($22.99) and Herdade de Sāo Miguel Escolha dos Enólogos 2019 ($22.99). 


As the names indicates, Art.Terra Amphora Red was crafted in amphora. These large clay vessels, called Talhas de Barro in Portuguese, can be traced back to the Romans and have been used for winemaking in Alentejo for more than 2,000 years. A blend of 50% Aragonez, 40% Trincadeira, and 10% Moreto; Art.Terra is bright and fresh with hints of herbs and earth.

Aged in French oak barrels for 9 months, Herdade de Sāo Miguel Escolha dos Enólogos is a blend of 50% Alicante Bouschet, 30% Touriga Franca, and 20% Touriga Nacional. It is a rich and round wine with vibrant fruit, floral, and spice flavors. Not familiar with Portuguese wine grapes? In the video, Alexandre shares wonderful descriptions of each variety and what they contribute to the blend. He also describes how amphora impacts the style of the wine. 

The Innovative, Elegant, and Biodynamic Beauty of Querciabella Wines from Tuscany

Manfred Ing, Winemaker, Querciabella

Hopping a flight overseas remains a daydream during these long days of social distancing, but thankfully traveling the world through wine is a reality. Recently, I took a virtual journey to beautiful Tuscany through the wines of Querciabella with winemaker Manfred Ing. Watch our Instagram Live conversation on IGTV, YouTube, or by clicking the video below. 

Founded in 1974 with a single hectare vineyard in Tuscany, today Querciabella has more than 100 hectares in Chianti Classico and Maremma. In 1988, Querciabella converted to organic viticulture and in 2000 they introduced a 100% plant‑based approach to biodynamics that forbids the use of animal products in their vineyards or cellars. During our conversation, Manfred shared Querciabella's winemaking philosophy, a definition of biodynamic winemaking, and his fascinating journey from his native South Africa to becoming a winemaker in Tuscany.


We tasted two Querciabella wines: Chianti Classico 2017 ($30) and Camartina 2015 ($150). A very classic and pure expression of Chianti Classico, the Sangiovese grapes were sourced from Greve in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, and Gaiole in Chianti. This tapestry of grapes from unique terroirs adds complexity and nuance to this very fresh and pretty wine. Camartina has been the estate's signature Super Tuscan since 1981. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese, it is only produced in the best vintages. Rich and balanced, Camartina will age beautifully; a worthy splurge. 

Make Each Moment Sparkle with Champagne Delamotte

Cristian Rimoldi, Export Director, Champagne Delamotte 

The 2021 season of Wine With Wanda on Instagram Live kicked off on a sparkling note with Champagne Delamotte. My special guest was the House's export director, Cristian Rimoldi. Founded in Reims in 1760, at more than 250 years old, Delamotte is the fifth oldest house in Champagne.

Watch our chat on IGTV, YouTube, or by clicking the video below. In addition to discussing Delamotte's rich history, Cristian shared his personal and professional journey from the Argentinian Pampa to France. During out chat, we tasted Champagne Delamotte Blanc de Blancs NV ($90.99) and Champagne Delamotte Brut Rosé NV ($105.99). I completely agree with Cristian's sentiment that elegant and refreshing Champagne Delamotte can be enjoyed morning, noon, and night, and paired with a wide variety of cuisine. 

Sip This: C. Elizabeth Single-Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley

 

“The wine is a very real metaphor for the favorite people in our lives—bold, layered, interesting, confident with gentle, soft edges.” 
 Christi & Dave Ficeli, founders of C. Elizabeth 
image courtesy of C. Elizabeth

Strong women and the power of love inspired the creation of C. Elizabeth Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2002, Christi and Dave Ficeli were newly engaged lovebirds and enjoying a quiet night out in Napa. As the conversation turned towards their future, Christi and Dave determined that wine would be an integral part of the life they were building together.

"We decided to create a wine that reflected our personal values, of the importance of family and friends, quality over quantity, and authenticity and passion in all that we do." The winery's name was inspired by three generations of strong and confident women named Elizabeth on Christi’s side of the family, including Christi - it’s her middle name. Fueled by their love for each other, family, the land, and Cabernet Sauvignon, C. Elizabeth debuted with the 2014 vintage. 

C. Elizabeth's Game Farm Vineyard is in the heart of Oakville, in Napa Valley, and consists of two distinct blocks: Rock Pit on the south and Trailside on the north. Believing that American oak is the best match for their fruit, they work with select cooperages for their barrel program and are particularly fond of Pennsylvania and Missouri oak. Their wines are aged in a combination of new and neutral American oak barrels to achieve a rich palate expression. Winemaker Bill Nancarrow hails from New Zealand and has an impressive track record in Napa. 


I recently enjoyed a vertical tasting of C. Elizabeth Cabernet Sauvignon that featured the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 vintages. Each was a unique snapshot of that year, but shared a common thread of balance, complexity, and vibrant fruit expression. 

Tasting Notes

2017 ($150): Young but ready to sip. Crisp bright fruit with some floral notes. From now until March 15, 2021, C. Elizabeth will donate 50% of all sales of the 2017 C. Elizabeth Game Farm Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon to the Napa Valley Community Foundation in support of their efforts to provide fire relief for those impacted by the wildfires of 2020. 

2016 ($150): Silky & rich red and black fruit. An intriguing hint of iron rich red meat.

2015 ($125): Rich black fruit with herbal and savory accents.

2014 ($125): The debut vintage and an impressive introduction to the C. Elizabeth style. Rich and velvety. Red and black fruit with hints of chocolate, vanilla and spice.

Sip This: Hey French is a Fine Italian Wine That Will Make You Giggle!

I jokingly call the Pasqua brothers the “Bad Boys of Verona." In reality, Alessandro and Riccardo are absolute gentlemen, but they do love to shake things up. Many people in the wine world talk about experimentation and innovation, but the Pasquas actually do it. Their cheekily named wine, Hey French, You Could Have Made This But You Didn’t ($40), is a perfect example of their wicked sense of humor and commitment to crafting fine wine. 

A blend of mostly Garganega, rounded out with Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon, Hey French is a multi-vintage wine and combines 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017 – considered the four best vintages of the last decade. The grapes were sourced from the easternmost section of Soave Classico, on the Veronese side of Monte Calvarina. 

You can taste the influence of the rich volcanic soils in this beautifully textured vino. This is no wimpy white wine. Hey French has vibrant flavors of golden apple, quince, lemon zest, chamomile, and a hint of tropical fruit and almond. A touch of salinity really brings the fruit flavors alive and the minerality is tangible. The finish is delightfully long. 

Wondering about the vinification? According to Pasqua, “For each year selected, the vinification of white grapes takes place with maceration on the skins for about 10 hours. Later, alcoholic fermentation is activated with selected yeasts at low temperatures. A partial malolactic fermentation follows with approximately 10% of the product in barriques. The process continues with aging in second-use wood for about 6 months. Then the wine is placed in steel tanks for further refinement.”

Hey French is a cheeky tribute to the French winemakers and regions that inspire the Pasqua brothers. The quirky label was created by French-Cuban artist CB Hoyo. How do the French feel about Hey French? Alessandro Pasqua said, “Luckily, there are many who enjoy a good joke! The first account to take this wine was a Michelin-starred French restaurant!”

I love a creative and beautifully crafted wine with a sense of humor, and Hey French is a winner. The photo of yours truly with the Pasqua brothers is from 2019. Looking forward to tasting again with them one day! 

The Secret's in the Soil: A Tasting of Limestone and Volcanic Riesling from Alsace

When that Riesling feeling hits, no other sip will do. I recently opened a beautiful bottle produced by a 9th generation family winery in Alsace: Domaine Sipp Mack Riesling Grand Cru Rosacker 2015 ($49). Located in the northeast of France, Alsace is one of the world’s most geologically diverse wine regions. 13 distinct soil types have been identified in Alsace and each imparts a distinct fingerprint on the flavor of the wines. The grapes for Domaine Sipp Mack Riesling grew in limestone soil, which imbues the wines with vibrant lemony flavors and snappy minerality. This is a dry Riesling but the fruit sings. In addition to Meyer lemon, I taste white peach, a hint of honeycomb, and a kiss of salinity. 

My adventures in Riesling from Alsace continued with Wolfberger Riesling Grand Cru Rangen 2016 ($57). Rangen is Alsace's southernmost Grand Cru and the only one located on volcanic soils. Rangen’s mineral-rich soils enrich the grapes with an elegant intensity. Rangen means slope in Old German and some of the vineyards are so steep that they are harvested by rappelling down. Wolfberger Riesling Grand Cru is a more muscular, yet very refined, dry Riesling with power, tension, and the bold minerality one expects from volcanic soils. Flavors of preserved lemon, grapefruit, and pear mesh nicely with hints of savory herbs and soft mint. This a Riesling that will age beautifully!