Have the alcohol levels in wine gotten too high? And, just what is too high? It’s a controversial subject, and one with many opinions about its relevance in today’s wines. Some say it doesn’t matter at all - “it’s just a number.” Others counter that it takes away from the wine itself, and hastens inebriation. How and why has this become a factor, and does it really matter, or is this a tempest in a wine glass?

Join us as we talk with Bartholomew Broadbent about the steady increase in alcohol levels in wine - its causes and its effects.

To find out more information on Broadbent Selections: www.broadbent.com

Sponsor- Champagne US: www.champagne.us

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Possibly no other grape variety is as subject to the differences of terroir, as is Pinot Noir. And, no discussion or tasting of Pinot Noir would be complete without including Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Located West and South of Portland, the Willamette Valley is 150 miles long and nearly 60 miles wide, with 200 wineries and over 12,000 acres of grapes. Bounded by the Cascade Mountains to the East, the Coast Range mountains to the West, plus a series of lower hill chains to the extreme north of the valley, the Willamette Valley is one of those regions that illustrates the diversity of terroir. So much so, that in 2002, the vineyards and wineries of the region delineated and submitted petitions to the TTB to divide much of the northern part of the Willamette Valley AVA into six more specific AVAs. During 2005-06, the petitions were approved and the following sub-AVAs were created within the Willamette Valley: Chehalem Mountains, Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, McMinnville, Ribbon Ridge, and Yamhill-Carlton District

Rusty Gaffney (Prince of Pinot) selected 12 wines for us to taste, 2 from each region or district. Join us as we explore the wines of these sub-AVA regions, to discover their differences, as well as their similarities. The wines:

CHEHALEM MOUNTAINS
2006 ArborBrook Vineyards Estate 777 Block
2006 Laura Volkman Vineyards Jacob Estate

DUNDEE HILLS
2006 Et Fille Maresh Vineyard
2006 Domaine Drouhin

EOLA AMITY HILLS
2006 Torii Mor Eola-Amity Hills Select
2006 Cristom Eola-Amity Hills Eileen Vineyard

McMINNVILLE
2006 Brittan Vineyards Basalt Block
2006 Raptor Ridge Meredith Mitchell Vineyard

RIBBON RIDGE
2006 Patricia Green Cellars Estate
2005 Beaux Freres The Beaux Freres Vineyard

YAMHILL-CARLTON DISTRICT
2006 Soter Beacon Hill
2006 Resonance Vineyard

Sponsor- Pinpoint Technologies, Mailing List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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Virginians have grown grapes for wine for four centuries, beginning first with the Jamestown settlers. Unfortunately, early efforts to grow vinifera in Virginia were unsuccessful. In the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, Thomas Jefferson cultivated European grapes but his Monticello vineyards never produced wine. George Washington, at Mount Vernon, was also unable to make wine despite a decade of effort. In the late-1950s, experimental plantings of vinifera began to finally show promise and by the 1970’s a handful of wineries were established in the Commonwealth.

In 2009, Virginia has 140 wineries (and counting), ranking fifth in the US in terms of numbers of wineries. Wines from the Commonwealth are winning national and international recognition for their elegant qualities. Virginia’s terroir has helped vintners create wines stylistically between those of California and Europe that work very well with food. Virginia Viognier is one of a handful of varietals emerging as one of Virginia’s most notable wines.

Join Ted Burns and Scott Hendley as they talk Virginia wine with Virginia winemakers Michael Shaps and Jim Law, wine columnist Toby Beard and Professor of Viticulture Tony Wolf. The panel of Virginia wine experts discuss the strengths, challenges, characteristics, styles, trends and highlights of Virginia wine.

Sponsor- Pinpoint Technologies, Mailing List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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The idea that wine was meant to pair harmoniously with food can sometimes create obvious misconceptions. For instance, in the case of Sauternes, one might automatically assume that because of its inherent sweetness, the wine can only be paired properly with desserts. As it turns out, inventive food and wine pairings can be genuine discoveries, as we were to learn by matching Sichuan Chinese food with Sauternes.

Join us as we visit Bordeaux’s Restaurant Au Bonheur du Palais. Beginning in the kitchen and proceeding into the dining room, we’ll see how Chef Shan creates cuisine to compliment and support several vintages of Ch. Suduiraut. Join us, along with Chef Shan, AXA’s Christian Seely, and Suduiraut’s Pierre Montégut, as we discover that while good wine and food matches are sometimes born, more often than not they are made.

For More Info on Château Suduiraut: www.suduiraut.com

The sponsor of this video is Millesima, Fine Wine Merchants: www.millesima-usa.com/ ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/06/07/chateau-suduiraut-part-ii/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/06/01/chateau-suduiraut-part-i/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/06/01/chateau-suduiraut-part-i/#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:50:32 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=1109 Welcome to our video podcast: Château Suduiraut - Part I - Video Show #69.

If you’re a fan of Bordeaux – especially the sweet wines of Sauternes - the name Château Suduiraut will be no stranger to you. This Sauternes Premier Cru is situated at the southern end of the commune of Preignac, sitting almost literally in the shadow of it illustrious neighbor, Château d’Yquem. A part of the AXA Millésimes portfolio since 1992, Suduiraut’s 92-hectare vineyard is 90% Semillion and 10% Sauvignon Blanc, each averaging about 25 years of age.

What makes the Sauternes region so special is something called Noble Rot, which is a fungal organism known scientifically as Botrytris cinerea, and is almost single-handedly responsible for the world’s greatest sweet wines. Botrytis causes the berries to dehydrate and shrivel, which in turn concentrates the grape sugars. In the case of Sauternes, the region’s proximity to the Garonne River provides the fog and mists that allow this to take place.

Join us as we walk through the vineyards of Suduiraut, guided by Technical Director, Pierre Montégut. We’ll also watch as they bottle the 2006 vintage.

For More Info on Château Suduiraut: www.suduiraut.com

The sponsor of this video is Millesima, Fine Wine Merchants: www.millesima-usa.com/ ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/06/01/chateau-suduiraut-part-i/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/05/25/the-king-of-zin/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/05/25/the-king-of-zin/#comments Mon, 25 May 2009 09:00:28 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=1100

After years of making wine out of their family home, Kent and Kathy Rosenblum took their love of winemaking to the next level and founded Rosenblum Cellars in 1978. In partnership with several close friends, and with Kathy acting as his assistant winemaker and helping with the crush, Kent made Rosenblum Cellars’ first vineyard designated zinfandel. Inspired by their early winemaking success, Kent began to focus on crafting vineyard designated wines using grapes farmed from mountainside, head-pruned, old vines. He would search Sonoma and Napa, Santa Barbara, Paso Robles and beyond, just to find the best vineyards and growers in California.

In 1987, Rosenblum moved his commercial operation from its location next to The Dead End Bar in Oakland, to a facility next to the Oakland-Alameda Ferry building on the island of Alameda, and the rest of the journey became history. Along the way, Rosenblum Cellars became one of the original “three R’s of Zin” (along with Ridge and Ravenswood), and the practicing veterinarian even managed to pick up a new nickname instead of Doc, becoming “The King of Zin”. Long hard work eventually paid off, and the Rosenblums were able to sell their winery to Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines for a reported $105 million in 2008.

Join us as we talk with Kent about his humble beginnings, his love for wine, and the dozens of vineyard designates to come out of his prolific winery. You may even want to open a Zin or Petite…we did.

For More Info: www.rosenblumcellars.com

Sponsor- Pinpoint Technologies, Mailing List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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One of the more fascinating processes to watch in a winery is the act of bottling the wine, arguably the last step before the vintner bids goodbye to what quite literally were the fruit of his labor. Although the process is highly automated, there are many complexities involved - plus, there is a great deal to watch.

Join us as we visit with Martin Clubb at this Walla Walla, Washington winery and see first hand what the process is all about.

For More Info on L’Ecole Nº 41 Winery: www.lecole.com/

The sponsor of this video is Beaches of South Walton, Florida: www.beachesofsouthwalton.com/ ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/05/18/l%e2%80%99ecole-no-41-part-ii-bottling/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/05/11/lecole-no-41-part-i/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/05/11/lecole-no-41-part-i/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 15:35:37 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=1052 Welcome to our video podcast: L’Ecole Nº 41 - Part I - Video Show #67.

Founded in 1983 by Jean and Baker Ferguson in Walla Wall, Washington, the L’Ecole Nº 41 winery is now owned and operated by their daughter and son-in-law, Megan and Martin Clubb. So, where did they get a name like that? Well, L’Ecole Nº 41 is French for “the school” and it is located in district number 41. Built in 1915, the schoolhouse is located in historic Frenchtown, a small community just west of Walla Walla. Frenchtown derived its name from the many French-Canadians who settled the valley during the early 1800s. Legend has it, these men of French descent were raising grapes and producing wine, and was chosen to salute these pioneer viticulture efforts. By the 1860s, nurseries, vineyards and winemaking had become a part of the regions’ growing economy.

Practicing sustainable farming, non-interventionist practices in the winery, L’Ecole is currently producing about 30,000 cases annually of Semillon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Apogee & Perigee, and Syrah. Join us as we visit with Martin Clubb in the vineyard, to see what sustainable farming is all about.

For More Info on L’Ecole Nº 41 Winery: www.lecole.com/

The sponsor of this video is Beaches of South Walton, Florida: www.beachesofsouthwalton.com/ ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/05/11/lecole-no-41-part-i/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/05/04/santa-margarita-ranch-a-new-ava/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/05/04/santa-margarita-ranch-a-new-ava/#comments Mon, 04 May 2009 15:31:20 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=1046 Welcome to our video podcast: Santa Margarita Ranch: A New AVA? - Video Show #66.

On California’s Central Coast, half-way between the mision sites of San Luis Obispo and San Miguel, the Margarita Vineyard stands alone as the only vineyard in the vicinity. It is nestled into the rugged Santa Lucia Mountain range, yet near the coast where Franciscan missionaries first grew grapes here more than 200 years ago.

While the peaks are the most conspicuous evidence of the area’s geologic history, Margarita Vineyard is rich with other sights that exemplify the diversity of its terroir, including rolling hills, dramatic outcroppings and petrified oyster shells. In fact, the vineyard could be viewed as a hybrid of the cooler Edna Valley to the south and warmer climate of Paso Robles to the north. It has inland sheltering from the surrounding mountains, yet is merely 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean.

Join us as Jay, Mark and I visit the Santa Margarita Ranch, and literally dig into the vineyard to see why this historic site is so unique.

For More Info on Ancient Peaks Winery: www.ancientpeaks.com/

The sponsor of this video is Pinpoint Technologies, Great Mailing Lists: www.pinpoint-tech.com/ ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/05/04/santa-margarita-ranch-a-new-ava/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/04/27/mussels-muscadet/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/04/27/mussels-muscadet/#comments Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:16:14 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=1042 Welcome to our video podcast: Mussels & Muscadet - Video Show #65.

We are always looking for wine and food pairing opportunities. So, while in Naples, Florida, last year we just had to pay a visit to Jacques and Lysielle Cariot at their well-regarded and award winning Bleu Provence restaurant.

As a shellfish, one could rightfully expect that mussels would pair well with almost any white wine. But, as it turns out there is a seemingly perfect match in Muscadet. Made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, Muscadet comes from the western-most end of the Loire Valley, the same valley that includes the regions of Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Saumur, Bourgueil, Chinon, and Vouvray. Interestingly, however, Muscadet is referred to by its apparent taste (musk-like), making it one of the rare exceptions where a French wine is named for something other than its region.

Join us as Jay, Mark and I pay a visit to Jacques Cariot at his Bleu Provence restaurant, and see why Jacques feels that Muscadet is the most natural and perfect pairing with mussels.

For More Info on the Bleu Provence : www.bleuprovencenaples.com/

The sponsor of this video is Millesima, Fine Wine Merchants: www.millesima-usa.com/ ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/04/27/mussels-muscadet/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/04/20/2008-auction-napa-valley-part-2/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/04/20/2008-auction-napa-valley-part-2/#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:06:48 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=1028 Welcome to our video podcast 2008 Auction Napa Valley - Part 2 - Video Show #64.

Arguably the benchmark in charitable wine auctions, the Auction Napa Valley is held annually in (where else?) Napa Valley. Established by a group of Napa Valley vintners in 1981, ANV has given over $70 million dollars over its 28 years for healthcare, youth service and low-income housing charities in Napa County.

Join us as we talk with vintners and attendees and they share their fond recollections about the iconic Robert Mondavi, and his innumerable contributions to wine and to the Napa Valley.

For More Info on the Auction Napa Valley: www.napavintners.com/home/index.asp

The sponsor of this video is Millesima, Fine Wine Merchants: www.millesima-usa.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/04/20/2008-auction-napa-valley-part-2/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/04/14/update-on-our-colleague-brian-clark/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/04/14/update-on-our-colleague-brian-clark/#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:08:33 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=999 As our listeners are undoubtedly aware, our friend and colleague Brian Clark was injured in a terrible car accident in Paso Robles in early March.

Well, we are now very pleased to report that Brian is doing much better, and has since been admitted to a fabulous rehabilitation facility near his Southern California home. We are so thankful for the outcome, and hope Brian continues to regain his strength and get back to us and to his family. In fact, we were so elated with Brian’s progress, that we decided to do a little impromptu podcast to celebrate among ourselves, but with Brian very much in our hearts and minds.

As noted in some our posts below, you can continue to get direct feedback on Brian’s progress at the CaringBridge website:

You can visit Brian’s CaringBridge site at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brianclark1.

Click Below to Play the Show:

Arguably the benchmark in charitable wine auctions, the Auction Napa Valley is held annually in (where else?) Napa Valley. Established by a group of Napa Valley vintners in 1981, ANV has given over $70 million dollars over its 28 years for healthcare, youth service and low-income housing charities in Napa County. The GrapeRadio crew received an invitation to attend this stellar event, and we were not disappointed.

Organized each year by the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), the event runs over a three-day period, usually in June. Consisting of a wine & food extravaganza, several auctions (e-auctions, live auctions and barrel auctions), and plenty of vintner-hosted activities, it is a spectacular event. In 2008, as the final gavel fell, a total of 44 Live Lots, 128 Barrel Lots and 87 E-Lots that offered extraordinary collections of wine, vintner-hosted events and travel adventures donated by the organization’s many wineries had raised more than $10.35 million.

Join us as we talk with vintners, celebrities (Oprah!), and attendees about the sights, sounds, foods, wines, and overall excitement that make the Auction Napa Valley such a special event.

For More Info on the Auction Napa Valley: www.napavintners.com/home/index.asp

The sponsor of this video is Millesima, Fine Wine Merchants: www.millesima-usa.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/04/13/2008-auction-napa-valley-part-1/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/04/06/adams-french-vineyards/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/04/06/adams-french-vineyards/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:42:22 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=979 Welcome to our video podcast Adams French Vineyards - Video Show #62.

In 1993, billionaire Stephen Adams and his wife Denise were married at a country chapel in St.-Emilion, Bordeaux’s historic Right Bank city. This was the beginning of Adams’ fascination with French culture and wine, a fascination that would cause him to purchase six (and counting) Châteaux in and around St. Emilion. His considerably diverse holdings, amassed over the course of 47 years, include banks, billboards, recreational vehicles, and now wineries – and in France, no less. Known collectively as Adams French Vineyards, this gives a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘an American in Paris.’

Beginning in 2000, Stephen Adams bought Château Lagarosse, in the rolling hills of the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux. He followed this in 2002 with the purchase of Château de Candale in St.-Emilion. Still looking for a flagship winery, he found it in 2004 with the purchase of Château Fonplégade, a 48-acre property located on St.-Emilion’s limestone plateau, yet needing some TLC. His total renovation of the property, at a cost of $7 million, including large new fermentation tanks, and vineyard improvements.

In 2005, he bought Château de Bel-Air in Lalande-de-Pomerol. And, last year, he added Château Roylland in St.-Emilion and Château L’Enclos in Pomerol. All along, his strategy always was (and still is) to pay relatively low prices for properties, then upgrade heavily - all under the direction of Michel Rolland.

Join us as we talk with Stephen Adams at Château Fonplegade in St. Emilion, and tour vineyards and wineries of this and several other of Adams’ properties, including Château De Bel Air, Château de Candale, and Château Lagarosse.

For More Info on Adams French Vineyards: www.adamsfrenchvineyards.com/

The sponsor of this video is Millesima, Fine Wine Merchants: www.millesima-usa.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/04/06/adams-french-vineyards/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/30/black-ankle-vineyards-maryland/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/30/black-ankle-vineyards-maryland/#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:38:29 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=969 Welcome to our video podcast Black Ankle Vineyards- Video Show #61.

One of the promising discoveries during our 2007 trip to visit some Mid-Atlantic wineries was Black Ankle Vineyards. Founders Ed Boyce and Sarah O’Herron decided to look for an alternative careers to Management Consulting, and their fascination with wine, winemaking and viticulture led them in 2001 to actually consider the process of owning and operating their own vineyard and winery. But where?

After years of research, the pair decided they could make excellent wine in Maryland. After nearly a year of searching, they found a beautiful 146-acre farm in Frederick County, with 40 acres well suited to grape vines. The farm has all of the things they were looking for: relative altitude, well-drained and low vigor soil, and a mix of different eco-systems. They purchased the property in May of 2002.

Beginning in April of 2003, Ed and Sarah planted a mix of red and white grapes, choosing some of their favorite varieties, but also ones known for high quality wine and thought to be most suitable for the Mid-Atlantic climate. Varieties inclluded: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Later they added a small parcel of Pinot Noir, and some Grüner Veltliner, Albariño, Viognier, and the ubiquitous Chardonnay.

They also made a decision to farm with the principles of Biodynamics, the original Organic farming movement which was founded by the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner in the 1920’s. Biodynamics involves working as much as possible by the rhythms of the moon, planets and seasons, with a strong emphasis on biodiversity, and a goal of self-sufficiency. Although they continue to experiment with new pest management ideas, they are not yet able to farm 100% organically, though they are optimistic that they will get there before too long.

Join us as we talk with Ed Boyce about the trials, tribulations and successes of East Coast vineyard management and winemaking.

For More Info on Black Ankle Vineyards: www.blackankle.com/

The sponsor of this video is CrushPad: www.crushpadwine.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/30/black-ankle-vineyards-maryland/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/23/graperadio-2009-james-beard-finalist/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/23/graperadio-2009-james-beard-finalist/#comments Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:42:35 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=890

GrapeRadio has been selected as a finalist for the third consecutive year for an award in the category of Video Webcast by the James Beard Foundation.

Click here to access our James Beard nominated video:
The Art of Blending

In addition, we have also been selected as a finalist by the James Beard Foundation for an award in the Audio Webcast or Radio Show category.

Click here to access our James Beard nominated audio show: Thomas Jefferson and Wine

The James Beard Foundation Awards are the nation’s preeminent honors for culinary professionals. More than 60 awards are given out each year in the categories of cookbooks, restaurants and chefs, design and graphics, broadcast media, journalism, and achievement. Nominees and award winners are selected by their industry peers, with more than 600 culinary professionals involved in the voting process.

Thank you to all of our fans who have given us such great support over the years.

Located in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills, Fiddlestix Vineyard is the brainchild of Kathy Joseph, proprietor of Fiddlehead Cellars. A UC Davis alumni, Kathy worked under Zelma Long at Simi Winery before branching out on her own. She’s always made Pinot Noir - usually from two sources, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and the Santa Maria Valley. However, when Robert Mondavi bought Santa Maria’s Sierra Madre Vineyard in the mid-’90s, Kathy needed to look for a new source of fruit. The location she finally selected was about 122 acres, located directly across the road from the historic Sanford & Benedict Vineyard. After purchasing the land in 1996, she selected rootstalk and began preparation for planting. At this point, Kathy approached Beringer and offered them an opportunity to buy in on a 50/50 basis. They recognized the potential of the site, wanted to partner with Fiddlehead and bought 1/2 of the vineyard development to get 1/2 of the fruit. In retrospect, the partnership with Beringer seems to be the best of both worlds - Kathy has the autonomy to manage the vineyard, and both she and Beringer share the fruits of her labors.

Planted in 1998 to 100 acres of Pinot Noir, the spacing at Fiddlestix is tight, with vines planted 4 feet apart, and each row 7 feet wide – resulting in 1,556 vines per acre. The vineyard is made up of 32 mini-blocks, representing different combinations of six clones, three rootstocks, and various elevation, exposures, and soil combinations. The soil is well-drained Gazos and Botella clay loam, loaded with chirt and Monterey shale.

Join us as we visit during “Fiddlefest”, a tribute to producers of Pinot Noir from the vineyard, and to the vineyard itself. We’ll talk with Kathy Joseph and several other winemakers who buy Fiddlestix fruit for their own labels, including: John Falcone (Rusack), Paul Lato (Paul Lato Wines), and Joe Davis (Arcadian).

For More Info on Fiddlestix Vineyard: www.fiddleheadcellars.com/vines/fiddlestix.html /

The sponsor of this video is Pinpoint Technologies, Great Mailing Lists: www.pinpoint-tech.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/23/fiddlestix-vineyard/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/19/brian-clark-injured-in-car-accident-2/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/19/brian-clark-injured-in-car-accident-2/#comments Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:09:21 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=874 As you may know, our friend and colleague Brian Clark was injured in a terrible traffic accident in Paso Robles earlier this month.

Brian’s family and the GrapeRadio Bunch are deeply grateful for all of your sentiments, best wishes and prayers. We encourage you to continue to post your thoughts and wishes for Brian and his family.

As Brian continues to heal from his injuries, we created a CaringBridge site to keep you up to date on Brian’s condition.

You can visit Brian’s CaringBridge site at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brianclark1.

Please visit our CaringBridge site anytime. You can use the site to check in on Brian, read the journal entries and send us messages by signing our guestbook. When you register with CaringBridge and sign our guestbook, you will automatically receive e-mail notifications each time our journal is updated. Or, you can subscribe to receive these notifications even before you sign the guestbook. (Of course, you can unsubscribe from these e-mail updates at any time.)

CaringBridge is a free, nonprofit web service that connects family and friends to share information, love and support during a health care crisis, treatment and recovery. http://www.caringbridge.org

Blood Drive:
For those of you who have donated blood, thank you so very much. If you are unable to give blood, or if you wish to help further you can send a monetary donation to the Red Cross, at the following address:

attn: Finance Dept.
Red Cross
100 Red Cross Circle
Pomona CA 91768
909.859.7000

ON THE CHECK write in the memo line “So. Cal. Blood Services — for Brian Clark”

As with many of the Pomerol properties in Bordeaux, Château Petit-Village is actually devoid of a grand Château. Laid out in a triangular shape, the estate consists of 11 hectares of vineyards, with a nucleus of small buildings that serve as winery, vineyard and business offices. Interestingly, this is presumed to account for its name, which means “small village”.

It is unknown who initially planted vines at the estate, but after the French Revolution, it has been under the ownership of several families, including the Dufresne family, the De Seguin family (Clos Fourtet), and was acquired by the négociant Fernand Ginestet in 1919. It remained among the Ginestet properties, along with other properties such as Château Margaux and Château Cos d’Estournel, until the difficult 1970s forced the Ginestets to divide their properties. Petit-Village was run by Bruno Prats until 1989 when it was sold to the present owners, the insurance group AXA Millésimes. Christian Seely oversees the AXA portfolio, but Petit-Village was managed by Jean-Michel Cazes and Daniel Llose until Cazes’ retirement. Currently, the property is managed by Daniel Llose and technical director, Serge Ley.

The property is nestled among some well-known neighbors: Vieux Château Certan, La Conseillante, and Beauregard. The Petit-Village vineyards consist of 75% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc, however, the cepage (blend) varies year to year (for 2007: 78% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc). As with nearly all Right Bank properties, the blend is predominately Merlot.

Join us as we talk with technical director Serge Ley about the vineyard, the winemaking, and of course, the wine.

For More Info on Château Petit-Village: www.petit-village.com/

The sponsor of this video is Millesima, Fine Wine Merchants: www.millesima-usa.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/16/chateau-petit-village/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/12/brian-clark-injured-in-car-accident/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/12/brian-clark-injured-in-car-accident/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:53:02 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=836 As you may know, our friend and colleague Brian Clark was injured in a terrible traffic accident in Paso Robles earlier this month.

A blood drive has been planned for Wednesday, March 18, from noon to 6pm. For local folks the information is below. Due to limited time slots it is important to have everyone make an appointment online.

Brian Clark Blood Drive

When:
March 18th
Wednesday
Noon to 6:00

Location:
Tustin Hospital
14662 Newport Ave
Tustin, CA. 92780
Tel. 714. 669-5881

Sign Up:
Please open this following link and make your reservation:

http://www.givelife.org
Sponsor code: THMC

* The Red Cross can handle 3 to 4 people at a time, every 20 minutes. It is imperative that, with the limited amount of spaces available, everyone signs up via the e-donor registration.

Overflow:
Everyone wants to help but with the limited amount of reservations available, people can also give blood at the following blood drives that are also running during this upcoming week:

Sunday March 15th, 10:00 to 4:00
Sheriffs Academy
15991 Armstrong
Tustin CA. 92782
code: ocrsta

Monday March 16th, 1:00 to 7:00
B’nai Israel
2111 Bryan
Tustin, CA. 92780
code: B’nai

Monday March 16th, 9:00 to 3:00
Orange County Fire Authority
1 fire authority road
code: ocfa

*If you are out of the Orange County Area and wish to locate a place to donate blood in your area, please visit http://www.givelife.org ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/12/brian-clark-injured-in-car-accident/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/09/2009-hospice-du-rhone-tickets-now-on-sale/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/09/2009-hospice-du-rhone-tickets-now-on-sale/#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:41:03 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=802

Meet the GrapeRadio Bunch at the 2009 Hospice du Rhône, to be held in Paso Robles, CA, April 30th thru May 2nd.

Focusing on syrah, grenache and 20 other grape varieties, HdR is an exceptional three-day event that is globally regarded as the single most essential and enjoyable gathering of international Rhône wine producers and enthusiasts.

Tickets are still available!

For more information on the 2009 Hospice du Rhône: http://www.hospicedurhone.org/

Andrew Jefford is an English author, journalist, editor, radio and television personality, as well as a poet. Andrew’s approach to writing encompasses not only what is contained within the glass but also the personalities, environment, and culture that surrounds it — making him a standout amongst his peers. His passion for wine has led to numerous articles and books, including the remarkable “The New France” (2002), and most recently “Andrew Jefford’s Wine Course” (2008). He has won eight Glenfiddich Awards along with a host of others, including the Louis Roederer International Award for Wine Feature Writer (2008).

Join us as we talk with the multi-talented Andrew Jefford about his philosophies on wine, wine writing, and wine education.

For More Info on Andrew Jefford: www.andrewjefford.com

The sponsor of this video is Pinpoint Technologies, Great Mailing Lists: www.pinpoint-tech.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/09/andrew-jefford-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-wine-writer/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/02/wine-judging/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/03/02/wine-judging/#comments Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:38:57 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=785

With a veritable sea of wine available to consumers, how can a winery get some individual recognition for the wines it produces? Well, one of the ways is to enter their wines into competitions or shootouts, to see how they fare to a group of wine judges.

As President and founder of Affairs of the Vine, wine educator Barbara Drady is the event organizer for several of these wine shootouts. Their competitions employ a panel of industry professionals to act as judges, tasting through hundreds of wines to determine their preferences.

All wines are tasted “blind” during a series of four or five flights (10 wines per flight) per day. Each wine is judged on its own merit and not judged against other wines in the flight.

Scores and notes are collated, and once the preliminary tastings are completed, the top scoring wines are chosen for the final round. The 50-60 top scoring wines are then reviewed in the final round by a larger panel of experts.

Most interestingly, the final results are tabulated with comments and observations on each wine by gender.

Join us as we talk with Barbara Drady to see what kind of organization goes into conducting these shootouts, and discuss the beneficiaries of the results.

For more information on the Affairs of the Vine: www.affairsofthevine.com

Sponsor- Pinpoint Technologies, Mailing List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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Certainly one of the most revered Châteaux in all of Bordeaux, Cheval Blanc holds an almost mystical power over admirers of the famed region. Located in Saint Emilion, the property of this premier Grand cru classé has its origins in 1832, with property acquired from the Figeac Estate by the Ducasse family. The property was enlarged again in 1838, and the Ducasse and ultimately the Laussac-Fourcaud family continued to preside over the estate through the 20th Century.

Bordering the Pomerol appellation (across the road from Château L’Evangile), the vines here are 57% Cabernet Franc; the balance is mostly Merlot, plus a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. What sets Cheval-Blanc apart from its illustrious neighbors is the unique terroir that lie at a crossroads for three distinct types of soil: gravel and sand, clay and sand, and a smaller section of sandy-clay with iron deposits. On average, the vines are over 30 years, and are immaculate and sustainably farmed.

Currently owned by LVMH, the estate is managed by Pierre Lurton, who divides his time between Cheval Blanc and another renowned property, Château d’Yquem in Sauternes.

Join us as we visit with Pierre Lurton, and get a sense of the topography of this famous Right Bank Bordeaux property. We also visit the cellar to barrel taste the exquisite 2007 Cheval Blanc.

For More Info on Château Cheval Blanc: www.chateau-cheval-blanc.com

The sponsor of this video is Millesima, Fine Wine Merchants: www.millesima-usa.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/02/23/chateau-cheval-blanc/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/02/23/the-rhone-rangers-paso-robles/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/02/23/the-rhone-rangers-paso-robles/#comments Mon, 23 Feb 2009 09:00:09 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=750

One of the missions of the Rhone Rangers, a non-profit wine education organization, is to educate the public by providing seminars and tastings that showcase Rhône varietal wines grown in America. What constitutes a Rhône varietal wine? Well, 75% of the wine’s content must include one or more of the traditional Rhône grape varieties as approved by the French government for the wines of the Côtes du Rhône. In France’s Rhône Valley, there are 22 grape varieties including the better-known Syrah and Viognier, to the “up and coming” Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Roussanne, to the truly obscure (albeit delicious) Counoise, Bourboulenc and Picpoul.

Join us as we listen to a seminar held during the Paso Robles chapter’s 2nd annual Paso Robles Rhone Rangers Experience. Some of the leading winemakers and vitculturalists in the world of Rhône varietals take participants through a fun, education-focused immersion into the world of “Rhone Essentials” with 8 local winemakers, including:

• Adelaida Cellars, Terry Culton (Winemaker): 2007 Viognier
• Anglim Winery, Steve Anglim (Owner/Winemaker): 2006 Roussanne
• Calcareous Vineyards, Damian Grindley (Winemaker): 2007 Viognier, Marsanne
• Halter Ranch, Bill Sheffer (Winemaker): 2008 Rosé
• Terry Hoage Vineyards, Terry Hoage (Owner/Winemaker): 2006 “Skins” - Grenache, Syrah
• Villa Creek Winery, Cris Cherry (Owner/Winemaker): 2006 “Vulture’s Post” - GSM Blend
• Austin Hope Winery, Austin Hope (Owner/Winemaker): 2005 Syrah
• Edward Sellers, Amy Butler (Winemaker): 2005 Cuvee des Cinq - Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, Counoise & Cinsault

For more information on the Rhone Rangers: www.rhonerangers.org

Sponsor- Pinpoint Technologies, Mailing List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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Meet your GrapeRadio Crew at the 2009 World of Pinot Noir which will be held in Shell Beach, CA (Central California Region) March 6-7th.

This is one of the world’s premier wine events and is well worth the effort to attend.

Tickets are still available!

For more information on the 2009 World of Pinot Noir: www.worldofpinotnoir.com

Born and raised in Western Australia, Rob Mann followed in the family tradition - oenology. After receiving his degree from University of Adelaide, Rob worked for Hardy’s in McLaren Vale, before returning home to pickup the reins at Cape Mentelle Vineyards in 2005 in Australia’s Margaret River region. Cape Mentelle was one of the first vineyards established in the area. First planted in 1970, there are now over 180 hectares under vine. Founded by West Australian wine industry pioneer David Hohnen, Cape Mentelle is credited with pioneering many varietals and blends in the region, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc Semillon.

The Margaret River region is located in the Southwest corner of the “land down under,” stretching about 100 km from north to south, and about 27 km in width. The climate here is Mediterranean, with mild wet winters and warm dry summers – approximating something like Bordeaux in a dry season. Although it contributes only 3% of the country’s total grape output, it commands over 20% of its wine market. With over 5,500 hectares under vine, there are over 120 producers in the region. Grape varieties grown include: Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay, Semilion and Sauvignon Blanc.

Join us as we talk with Rob Mann about Australia, the Margaret River region, to see if it really is different “down under.”

Sponsor- Pinpoint Technologies, Mailing List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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Château Palmer derives its name from Charles Palmer, an Englishman who owned the property from 1816-1853. An aide-de-camp of the Prince of Wales, Charles Palmer was convinced he should buy the estate of Marie de Gascq, and bought additional land and buildings in the communes of Cantenac, Issan, and Margaux. By 1830 the property covered 163 hectares, including 82 hectares of vines. In 1853, it was purchased by brothers Isaac and Emile Péreire and it continued on, surviving most of the vinous maladies and economic crises of the times until the 1930s, when they sold the estate to several families of various Bordeaux, English, and Dutch descent in 1938.

This Médoc estate is located near the Gironde estuary, and the soils in this area are quite gravely. Among their 52 hectares of vines, Ch. Palmer has a large percentage of Merlot, almost the same amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, and a small percentage of Petit Verdot. Here in Margaux, the vines are planted on rises several meters thick, consisting of brittle black lydite, white and yellow quartz, quartzite mottled with black, green or blue, and white chalcedony. In an effort to help the vine roots sink deep into the gravelly soil, they till the soil regularly. They also maintain a very high vine density - 10,000 vines per hectare - in order to increase competition between the vines and encourage this deep rooting.

Join us for Part 2, as Thomas Duroux, CEO of Château Palmer, continues with the vineyard tour, followed by a visit to the wine library and finally lunch.

For More Info on Château Palmer: www.chateau-palmer.com

The sponsor of this video is Millesima, Fine Wine Merchants: www.millesima-usa.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/02/14/chateau-palmer-video-part-2/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/02/12/chateau-palmer-video-part-1/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/02/12/chateau-palmer-video-part-1/#comments Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:37:22 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=702 Welcome to our video podcast Château Palmer - Part I - Video Show #55.

Château Palmer derives its name from Charles Palmer, an Englishman who owned the property from 1816-1853. The terroir at this Médoc estate dates from the Quaternary period, when gravel slowly accumulated on the Left Bank of the Gironde, pushed by the Dordogne and carried along by the Garonne. The two rivers meet a few kilometers downstream from Ch. Palmer to form the Gironde estuary. Among their current 52 hectares of vines, Ch. Palmer has a large percentage of Merlot, almost the same amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, and a small percentage of Petit Verdot.

Here in Margaux, the vines are planted on gravely rises several meters thick, consisting of brittle black lydite, white and yellow quartz, quartzite mottled with black, green or blue, and white chalcedony. In an effort to help the vine roots sink deep into the gravelly soil, they till the soil regularly. They also maintain a very high vine density - 10,000 vines per hectare - in order to increase competition between the vines and encourage this deep rooting.

Join us for Part 1, as Thomas Duroux, CEO of Château Palmer, leads us through the vineyards and discusses the growing conditions in the Margaux region of Bordeaux.

For More Info on Chateau Palmer: www.chateau-palmer.com

The sponsor of this video is Millesima, Fine Wine Merchants: www.millesima-usa.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/02/12/chateau-palmer-video-part-1/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/02/09/young-winemaker-making-the-leap-to-burgundy/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2009/02/09/young-winemaker-making-the-leap-to-burgundy/#comments Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:00:32 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/?p=693

Ray Walker departs February 8, 2009 to set up the logistics for his negociant wine business in Burgundy. Only 27 years old, Ray left behind a promising career in the financial world a few years ago to pursue a career in winemaking.

Smitten by Pinot Noir, and Burgundy in particular, Ray quite his job and moved his young family to Sonoma where he was mentored by Ed Kurtzman and others. While many of his type would have been satisfied with a winemaking career in California, Ray felt a pull to return to Pinot Noir’s Holy Land. He immersed himself in the French culture and language and made plans to develop his independent label, Domaine Ilan, in Burgundy.

Join us as we listen to his captivating story.

For More Information on Maison Ilan: www.maison-ilan.com

Sponsor- The Office of Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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Let’s assume you’ve worked with Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non for the last eight years. What could you possibly do for an encore? Well, if you’re Maggie Harrison, you would become part of a venture to work with Oregon Pinot Noir. And then, you’d get to work on your own label as well.

The recent history of Oregon’s Antica Terra winery began when a group of four individuals, including winemaker Maggie Harrison, purchased the winery in 2005 and two years later planted additional acres of Pinot noir, with more planting planned for 2008. The new winery should come on-line in 2009. For her own label, Maggie is sourcing Syrah from Santa Maria Valley for her own, Lillian label, a small lot collection named for her grandmother.

Join us as we talk with Maggie Harrison, about her past experiences with the iconic SQN, and her current projects in Oregon and with California Syrah.

Sponsor- The Office of Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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Located at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, Marlborough is home to the Kiwi’s largest wine growing region. Its international reputation has been cemented with the production of some excellent Sauvignon Blanc, along with some very nice Chardonnay and Riesling, and it is now flirting with Pinot Noir. However, fully one-third of the region is planted to Sauvignon Blanc, making it akin to the national grape. And, it’s no wonder - with plenty of sun, cool nights, and very little autumn rain, the well-drained gravel-laced alluvial soils make a comfortable home to the grape.

So, it should come as no surprise that a new Marlborough producer, Long Boat, is also concentrating on Savignon Blanc (“Savi” in Kiwi). However, they’ve decided to push the envelope and grow the wine at an elevation of 400-1,000 feet in the more remote Awatere and Waihopai Valleys, rather than on the flatlands of the Wairau. They feel the added stress of the vines should produce wines with more intense flavors.

Join us as we talk with Craig Murphy, winemaker and winery manager for Long Boat, about the country, the region, and Long Boat’s own unique style of “Savi.”

Sponsor- The Office of Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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Wine prices – can there be a more contentious subject among wine lovers? We all know wine prices have been going up for many years now, but then again, most other consumer goods have as well. And, with relatively few exceptions, most of us have been paying these increases – some of which have been mildly incremental, while others have been quite significant – all in order to keep ourselves on a mailing list, build a cellar, or maintain a vertical of our favorite wines. The question then becomes, at what point does the wine’s price exceed its perceived value to each of us?

The recent world financial problems have compounded this issue. Many people are now “trading down” their regular purchases, or spending less, or not spending at all.

Where will all of this lead? Join us as the GrapeRadio bunch take a look at the current situation, where escalating prices may have met their match with today’s economy. What’s a bottle worth to you?

Sponsor- The Office of Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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When Jonathan Maltus bought Château Teyssier in the early 1990s, he had big plans. Never mind that Château Teyssier was located in Vignonet, arguably the equivalent of the Outer Hebrides of St. Emilion, big plans could still come to fruition.

The original estate had seen better days, but with the arrival of Jonathan and Lyn Maltus in 1994, a complete modernization of the winery and cellar took place, and a second winery was even constructed. Maltus replaced the old concrete vats with stainless steel, bought all new cooperage, and added a state-of-the-art bottling line. New vineyards were also purchased, one literally a stone’s throw from Ausone, all of which to supply Maltus with plenty of pedigreed fruit for a few pet projects.

One of the first “garigistes” of Bordeaux (one who produces ‘vins de garage’ or garage-wine), Maltus has produced a string of bottlings, such as: Le Dôme, Château Laforge, and Le Carre, all of which were admittedly designed from the beginning to garner critical praise. Sharp, amiable, and bearing more than a passing resemblance to actor Robbie Coltrane, Jonathan Maltus would seem to be a force to be reckoned with in Bordeaux. Eschewing many old world traditions, he steers clear of convention, embraces things like reverse osmosis, and seemingly has no desire to “blend-in.”

Join us as we talk with the irrepressible Jonathan Maltus about his wines, his philosophy and his tilting at the windmills of Bordeaux.

Sponsor- The Office of Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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The Santa Rosa restaurant, John Ash & Co., has played a little known but remarkably important role in the history of Sonoma County wine. John Ash & Co. was known for spawning numerous innovative and progressive wine trends that have since become commonplace in restaurants today. Restaurant wine-by-the-glass service originated in California at John Ash & Co., and organized blind tastings of wines and creatively themed wine dinners emphasizing food and wine pairings were first popularized at the restaurant. John Ash & Co. was among the first restaurants to have a wine bar and an associated retail wine store.

Over the years, numerous ex-employees of the restaurant have went on to become successful winemakers, winegrowers and key employees in various wine related businesses.

Listen to Dan Kosta, a former Wine Director at John Ash & Co. talk about his experiences that led up to him co-founding Kosta Browne with Michael Browne, another former John Ash & Co. employee.

For more info on John Ash & Co: www.chefjohnash.com

For more info on the wines of Kosta Browne: www.kostabrowne.com

Sponsor- The Office of Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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Blending, or the combining of multiple ingredients, has always been part of the art of cooking. So too has it always been a part of wine making and the creation of exotic mixed drinks. So, it should be no surprise that blending the flavors and aromas of Cognac with the culinary arts results in a sum greater than its parts. In fact, this beautiful marriage of components is likely to elicit a gastronomical delight. But, as with cooking, it is all about the quality of the ingredients.

There is a familiar saying, “All Cognac is brandy, but not all brandy is Cognac”, and the Cognac region of France is rightly famous for its brandy, a spirit made by double-distilling wine to create an eau-de-vie, a colorless liquid of about 70% alcohol. After years of aging in large oak barrels, the spirit takes on additional complexities and various shades of amber-gold color depending upon age. During this aging process much of the alcohol is lost through evaporation (called the “angel’s share”), and after final blending the spirit is reduced to about 40% alcohol. Cognac is usually consumed on its own as an aperitif (before dinner), as a digestif (after dinner drink), or used in cooking. In addition, it has also become very popular as an ingredient in many cocktails.

GrapeRadio is pleased to present, “The Art of Blending”, a tribute to the artistic efforts of master blenders, chefs, and mixologists who use palettes of flavors to create passion in the world of wine, food and cocktails.

For More Info on Cognac: www.bnic.fr

Some demijohns from 1820 at rest in a Paradis cellar (’Grande Champagne’ refers to a specific growing region, considered the most important in Cognac) - Otard

Barrel cellar. Alcohol evaporation causes a fungus referred to as the “angel’s share” to collect on ceiling beams and walls; note the earthen floor - Merkow

Château Fontpinot amid the vines - Frapin

Ugni Blanc grapes in June - Frapin

Several older barrels; note the many chestnut barrel rings, which attract bugs that otherwise might have a taste for oak - Hennessy

View of Cognac from the river Charente. Due to fire regulations, all barrel storage must now be located outside the city of Cognac

Tasting table - Hennessy

Fascinating lineage display illustrates the number of components blended into this bottling of Cognac - Courvoisier

Older bottles in cellar, some dating to 1795 - Courvoisier

As evidence of an old seabed, Paul-Jean Giraud shows one of the many fossils he found in his vineyards - Giraud

Vines and landscape around Bouteville - Giraud

To any fan of the wines from France’s Rhone Valley, the name Guigal needs no introduction - in fact it is as well known as Syrah itself. In fact, everyone attending the 4th seminar of the 2008 Hospice du Rhone was salivating to partake of these wines.

Hosted by Phillippe Guigal, with additional commentary from Patrick Will, attendees were able to sample 10 wines from E. Guigal: 2006 Condrieu, 2006 Condrieu “La Doriane,” 2006 St. Joseph “Lieu-Dit Le St. Joseph,” the etherial 2005 Ermitage Blanc “Ex Voto,” 2003 Cote Rotie “Brune et Blonde,” 2005 St. Joseph “Vignes de L’Hospice,” 1998 Cote Rotie “Chateau d’ Ampuis,” 2004 Cote Rotie “La Moline,” 2004 Cote Rotie “La Landonne,” and finally the amazing 2001 Ermitage Rouge “Ex Voto.”

Join us as we hear from Phillippe Guigal about the fascinating history of this legnedary property, with its steep hillside vineyards and delicious wines.

For more info on Hospice du Rhone: www.hospicedurhone.org

For more info on the wines of E. Guigal: www.guigal.com

Sponsor- The Office of Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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Established in 1859 through the merger of two Champagne growers, Champagne Duval-Leroy is still a family business, handed down from father to son for 148 years. Carol Duval-Leroy has been running the Maison since 1991, after the sudden loss of her husband. Located in Vertus, in the heart of Côte des Blancs since its creation, this area was an important regional center during the Middle Ages, and was entirely destroyed once during the Hundred Years’ War and then again during the Second World War. With five hundred hectares of vines, Vertus (pop. 2,500) is now the second largest wine-growing district in the Champagne region, after Les Riceys.

Currently, Duval-Leroy cultivates about 200 hectares of grapes: Chardonnay (27%), Pinot Noir (38%) and Meunier (35%), and is ranked in the 15 top Champagne houses with a production of 5-6 million bottles annually. Their own vineyards contribute an independent supply of grapes which provides one quarter of the company’s annual grape needs, with the balance coming from growers under contract. Although the main production facility is in Vertus, Duval-Leroy has additional facilities located in Bligny, Beaunay, Chouilly and Sézanne where grapes can be pressed on location, and juice trucked in to the main facility.

Join us as we visit the large Duval-Leroy facility in Vertus during crush.

For More Info on Champagne Duval-Leroy: www.duval-leroy.com

The sponsor of this video is the Office of Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

Bins of Chardonnay awaiting the presses

GrapeRadio cinematographer Mark Ryan grabs a shot of Chardonnay from above, as the grape bins are off-loaded from trucks arriving from the vineyards

Five large horizontal grape presses handle the harvest at Duval-Leroy

We taste the freshly pressed Chardonnay fruit

Trucks arrive from other vineyards, where grapes were pressed on location

Huge automated riddling racks

Duval-Leroy bottling line

Carol Duval-Leroy