The steepest vineyards in the world are found in Germany. Working those vines and harvesting those grapes is a very costly proposition in terms of human labor that is putting some winemakers out of business.
Matthias Bartsch at Spiegel Online has the story about a possible solution. See Steeply Sloped German Vineyards Hope Technology Can Save Them.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Friday, November 1, 2013
Clos of Champagne: Fine "Enclosure" Champagnes from Vineyards Enclosed by Walls and Hedges: The Story of Clos des Chaulins
Champagnes called "Clos" in French
(i.e. "close")
because they are grown in walled enclosures
to protect the grapes from various dangers,
are explained at the
Grande Marque Champagne Blog
in Clos of Champagne.
We had the pleasure some years ago
of enjoying our near namesake
"Premier Cru" champagne, the
Clos des Chaulins (Pargny les Reims)
Champagne Médot
from near Reims, France,
where the grapes for this champagne,
Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay,
were picked by hand.
In fact, some years ago we took a photo
and still own -- the now empty -- bottle:
The Médot website describes this walled vineyard champagne as a cuvée of three grapes of exceptional quality, producing a champagne with fine bubbles and having a golden color, a bouquet of mocha and toasted almonds, and a full, robust flavor with notes of biscuit and gingerbread. It was recommended as an aperitif before meals, especially with fresh goat cheese.
At Zunftwissen and the Hanseatische Weinhandelsgeschäft Bremen
it is explained that the oldest vines in the Clos des Chaulins vineyard stem from 1927 and that few, but superior quality, grapes with rich constituents are produced, earning the vineyard the appellation "Premier Cru" as of 1985.
A 2009 entry at La Passion Du Vin wrote:
The 68 acres of Clos de Chaulins near the village Pargny-les-Reims and Massife de St. Thierry, limited by a hedge-wall since the year 1927, and planted with 55% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Meunier, now produce grapes for champagne sold under Lombard and Médot brands.
As noted at Google, Lombard & Medot SA now sell the champagne "under Lombard et Cie brand name ... available in fine grocery stores, cellars and restaurants in France, and via distributors in others countries".
(i.e. "close")
because they are grown in walled enclosures
to protect the grapes from various dangers,
are explained at the
Grande Marque Champagne Blog
in Clos of Champagne.
We had the pleasure some years ago
of enjoying our near namesake
"Premier Cru" champagne, the
Clos des Chaulins (Pargny les Reims)
Champagne Médot
from near Reims, France,
where the grapes for this champagne,
Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay,
were picked by hand.
In fact, some years ago we took a photo
and still own -- the now empty -- bottle:
The Médot website describes this walled vineyard champagne as a cuvée of three grapes of exceptional quality, producing a champagne with fine bubbles and having a golden color, a bouquet of mocha and toasted almonds, and a full, robust flavor with notes of biscuit and gingerbread. It was recommended as an aperitif before meals, especially with fresh goat cheese.
At Zunftwissen and the Hanseatische Weinhandelsgeschäft Bremen
it is explained that the oldest vines in the Clos des Chaulins vineyard stem from 1927 and that few, but superior quality, grapes with rich constituents are produced, earning the vineyard the appellation "Premier Cru" as of 1985.
A 2009 entry at La Passion Du Vin wrote:
"Le clos des Chaulins (Médot) n'existe plus en tant que cuvée. Champagne Médot, aujourd'hui Champagne Lombard et Médot."which is given by Google Translator as:
"The [Clos des Chaulins] (Medot) no longer exists as wine, [but rather as] Medot Champagne, Champagne Lombard Medot today."Clos des Chaulins is still a registered trademark, but alas, Monsieur Bulles reports that Clos des Chaulins is no longer produced as its own vintage brand champagne.
The 68 acres of Clos de Chaulins near the village Pargny-les-Reims and Massife de St. Thierry, limited by a hedge-wall since the year 1927, and planted with 55% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Meunier, now produce grapes for champagne sold under Lombard and Médot brands.
As noted at Google, Lombard & Medot SA now sell the champagne "under Lombard et Cie brand name ... available in fine grocery stores, cellars and restaurants in France, and via distributors in others countries".
Monday, October 14, 2013
2013 San Francisco Chronicle American Wine Competition Has Picked the Winners: e.g. Chimney Rock Best of Class for Over $50 Bordeaux Blends
The results are in from the 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine
Competition of over 5000 wines, the largest such competition in the
world for American wines.
Among the Sweepstakes winners for its Terlato Family Vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley wine, Terlato Wines International at Chimney Rock: Exciting News also announced that its Chimney Rock Cabernet 2009 Elevage was named Best of Class for Bordeaux Blends over $50 -- that's the top of the line in that category.
Chimney Rock Winery was originally founded by the late Sheldon "Hack" Wilson, who of course would have been proud of this honor.
Hat tip to CaryGEE.
Crossposted at LawPundit.
Among the Sweepstakes winners for its Terlato Family Vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley wine, Terlato Wines International at Chimney Rock: Exciting News also announced that its Chimney Rock Cabernet 2009 Elevage was named Best of Class for Bordeaux Blends over $50 -- that's the top of the line in that category.
Chimney Rock Winery was originally founded by the late Sheldon "Hack" Wilson, who of course would have been proud of this honor.
Hat tip to CaryGEE.
Crossposted at LawPundit.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
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