Tag Archives: Le Wine Buff

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“FROM BARREL TO BOTTLE” Bordeaux Right Bank Wine Tasting

FILED UNDER: Bordeaux events, Wine Events

[Photos taken on Instagram]

Last week we had the chance to attend the From Barrel to Bottle Tasting Event hosted by Le Cercle Rive Droite de Grands Vins de Bordeaux and Wine Enthusiast at the gorgeous French Consulate in NYC.

35 prestigious vineyards of the Right Bank poured their 2011 vintage, along with an additional collection of the top wines of 2009. The Cercle Rive Droite de Grands Vins de Bordeaux was founded in 2002, and is comprised of 139 chateau and 19 appellations located on the right bank of the Gironde. The sub-regions of the Right Bank, including Satin Emilion and Pomerol, are known to possess the ultimate Merlot-growing terroir.


We were happy to meet the wine producers, and the charming Le Wine Buff Megan Wiig joined us for the tasting and dinner. The French Consulate displayed magnificent 18th century Gobelin tapestry and a great view of Central Park. The special treat of the tasting was the authentic Bordeaux canelés from Patissiere Céline Legros. Addictive!

For the reality show fans, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps from The Real Housewives of New York City attended the event in support of her boyfriend Jaques Azoulay.

Dinner was held at the Benoit Restaurant (by Alain Ducasse), which included the winemakers, trade, and media. We were happy to sit and enjoy the dinner with winemakers Marion Béchu of Grand Vin de Reignac and Balthus, Jean-François Quenin of Chateau de Pressac (who happens to be the President of the Conseils des Vins de Saint Emilion), and Brigitte Bourlon from Chateau Guibot La Fourvieille – who we have met before while filming our Women in Bordeaux series.


A special thanks to Pierrick Bouquet for the invite! Check out all the photos on Flickr or on our Instagram profile. Cheers!

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Welcome to Le Wine Buff Family: Erin McGrath

FILED UNDER: Know Your Bordeaux

Hi everyone! My name is Erin McGrath, and I am the newest member of the Wine Buff team. I live in the Los Angeles area – specifically Pasadena – and work in the online department at a wine and spirits store in West Los Angeles.

Originally from the Chicago suburbs, I’ve been an L.A. resident for almost a decade, and it is here that I first became interested in wine and spirits. As far back as grade school, I was fascinated by France – its culture, beautiful language and history. I studied the French language through grade school to college, and fell head-over-heels for the wines of Bordeaux shortly after making Los Angeles my home.

What I love about Bordeaux is its rich history – many generations of wine making, good vintages and bad, mistakes and outstanding achievements. You can really taste the “place” in each and every wine, what the French call terroir and I’m excited to see the same approach to wine making unfold here in the States. There are over 7,000 chateaux – and all are not exactly fancy “castles” as the translation would suggest – producing wine in Bordeaux at a variety of price points, making a Wednesday night dinner that much more delicious, or an evening in with a loved one a little extra special. I’m looking forward to sharing my passion for this wonderful region with you.

Join Erin for her first Le Wine Buff chat on Tuesday, April 19th at 10pm EST! Details: http://www.enjoybordeaux.com/lewinebuff/

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Coming Up: Organic wines & Terroir Le Wine Buff Video Chat!

FILED UNDER: eco friendly, Know Your Bordeaux

Earth Day is coming up and our lady Wine Buffs love eco-friendly wines!  Raise your glass to mother Earth – this month’s chat will be focused on organic wines from Bordeaux.

Tune in on Tuesday, March 22nd to find out the concept of organic wines, which Bordeaux wines are considered organic, and the story behind the soil and terroir.

Visit www.enjoybordeaux.com/lewinebuff/ to join the chat! And you can RSVP on our Facebook page.

Afternoon chat with Rebecca Chapa (3pm ET / 12pm PT)

Evening chat with Mollie Battenhouse (10pm ET / 7pm PT)

Got questions already? Post your question in the comment section below or email us at [email protected] …see you there!

COMMENT: 1

Wines You Would Dump Your Valentine's Date For

FILED UNDER: Grapes

Would you jilt your lover for a bottle of wine?

Before you answer, consider these gorgeous wines that Le Wine Buffs are offering up for Valentine’s Day. Each Buff has gone into their little black book to find you a vintage that’s sure to please.

With a little something for every palate, maybe it’s time to consider a no-strings-attached ménage à trois this Valentine’s Day.

Megan

2005 Lalande-Borie: For approximately 25 bones or less, it is chalk full of deep, lush berry and spice. It’s peppery and cedary and structured,with an incredible finish. Love this wine from St. Julien. Why 2005? Well it happens to be a great year for Bordeaux wine. But more importantly, I got married in 2005. Score!

April

1999 Chateau Simard, St. Emilion: This Chateau purposely holds its wines for approximately 10 years before release.  This is current release for about $27.  Black plum and cassis are highlighted by aromas of black truffle with a silky finish.  Oohhh, satin…

Rebecca

Being in the restaurant industry for so long, and working so many Valentine’s Days makes me a tad jaded and more likely to enjoy that day at home or doing something less traditional, so I would love to enjoy a bottle of simple juicy delicious and PINK wine with my girl friends on V-Day!  A night out on the town with the girls is worth a bit of explaining (later) to the Valentine…  So enjoy a simple and fruity rose like the Chateau Bonnet Rose.

Mollie

I’d leave him for Chateau Griviere Cru Bourgeois Medoc 2001…The Griviere has a bit of age, so it’s nice and soft and drinking really well now. Soft, velvety fruit, firm tannins and balanced acidity.

Rob

2006 Ch. Haut Bages Liberal, Pauillac:  $37. One small lane separates this vineyard from Ch. Latour! Cedar and cherry, soft, round with nice acids and tannins, beautiful Pauillac balance.

Ward

Château Haut-Chaigneau Lalande-de-Pomerol 2000: The complexity in this wine is the same as I like my women: nicely balanced, smells delectable and has just enough acidity to keep things sassy and fresh.

With wines as attractive as these tasty Bordeaux, we’re pretty sure you won’t have to choose.

Whatever you decide to uncork this Valentines Day, remember the golden rule: Bordeaux is best enjoyed when it’s shared.

COMMENTS: 8

Ticket Giveaway: NYC Wine & Food Festival Foie Gras Seminar!

FILED UNDER: Wine 101, Wine Events

Ticket Giveaway: NYC Wine & Food Festival

Heaven Sent: Foie Gras Six Ways Paired with Wining Wines hosted by Michael Ginor & Mark Oldman

Want to win a ticket to New York City Wine & Food Festival?  Like foie gras or want to learn more about it while enjoying pairing wines?

This year’s Food Network’s New York City Wine & Food Festival will feature a special seminar with Hudson Valley Foie Gras founder Michael Ginor and PBS wine personality Mark Oldman this Saturday! And we’re excited to announce a ticket giveaway for the New York City area: a pass to the sold out Heaven Sent: Foie Gras Seminar ($100 value).  The lucky winner will have the opportunity to learn about the versatility of the pâté and the various ways in which it can be paired with wine.

The festival seminar is located at the Astor Center (study) and will take place on Saturday, October 9 2:30-3:30pm.

To win the ticket, just leave a comment below & a way to reach you (email would be best!) and you:

  • must be 21+ to attend
  • must provide your own transportation to the festival event
  • must be able to pick up ticket in our NYC FlatIron District office on Friday, October 8, 2010 by 5pm EST (along with a bag of fun Bordeaux goodies!)

Contest will end on Thursday, October 7th and the winner will be chosen randomly & revealed during our Le Wine Buff live video chat with the lovely April Bloom (she loves foie gras!) on Thursday, October 7th at 3pm EST.  Good luck!