Category Archives: Newsletter Archive

Weekend Vinopolpick– February 22nd

 February 22, 2014

Syrah and Grenache

Around the World in (over) 80 Wines

       Syrah
Syrah’s popularity has soared all over the world, producing some of the most delicious and sought after wines anywhere, from Australia’s rich, sturdy Shirazes to some of France’s finest, and rarest, reds. How long Syrah grapes have been in existence in not known but its roots are most often attributed to Roman plantings in France, as it is certainly well-adapted to the steep terraces of Rotie and Hermitage, each vineyard carefully angled to make the most of the available sunshine.For centuries, red wine in the Northern Rhône Valley in Southeastern France has been made from the Syrah grape. These are big red wines, meant to age for years before being ready to drink.
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Vinopolpick Thursday – Feb 20

February 20, 2014
Grosses Gewächs
Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Embrace the Bureaucracy
“Few other dry rieslings capture a sense of place with as much crystalline precision and delicacy as Germany’s do.” – Eric Asimov, Wine Critic
Members of the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP)
In 1910, a group of top German winemakers formed the VDP (Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates) to help promote German wines.  In 1971, Germany introduced new wine production and labeling laws.  The VDP argued that these laws were confusing and did not encourage quality winemaking.  More recently, they also argued the laws had a negative impact on the reputation of and consumer awareness of high quality dry wines; and thus discouraged its production.  
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Vinopolis February 17 Newsletter

February 17, 2014

Jump Start Sale

Taittinger Champagne Brut La Francaise NV ($57.95) $36 special
John Gilman 91+ points “The new release of Taittinger’s Brut ‘La Francaise’ is a lovely wine that seems to me to be a touch drier in dosage than has been the case in the last few years, and is even better out of the blocks as a result. The lovely nose is a blend of green apple, lemon, bread dough, stony minerality and a nice touch of smokiness in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, young and zesty, with a fine core, very elegant mousse and excellent mineral drive on the long, clean and focused finish. I really like the new version of Brut la Française, which should age very well and offer up quite sophisticated drinking right from the outset.… Read the rest

Weekend Vinopolpick- February 15

February 15, 2014
Henri Boillot
From Maison to Domaine

The Boillots have been making wine since 1855, with 5 generations of winemakers spreading throughout the Cote D’Or, creating a web of Boillot wineries across Burgundy.  While some Boillots are continuing their family’s traditions and some have struck out on their own; Henri Boillot is a little bit of both. At first leaving the domaine his grandfather started behind to find his own style, Henri has now returned home and continues to make his mark in his family’s long history of stellar wines.

After working and learning at his family’s property (Domaine Jean Boillot) for more than a decade, Henri quit in 1984 to launch his own negociant business, aiming to produce more concentrated and powerful Pinots and Chardonnays.… Read the rest

Vinopolpick Thursday – Trioja!

February 13, 2014
TriojaBelow we are featuring a Trio of Rioja producers each with a long and distinguished history in the region: Remelluri, Bodegas Muga and Lopez de Heredia.

Remelluri

The Remelluri estate dates to the 14th century when Hieronymite monks built a farm and sanctuary.  When they left the site in the 15th century, local hermits maintained the shrine and a communal organization Real Divisa managed the farm.  Ancient wine presses carved into the stone around the hills remains as one of the oldest winemaking artifacts in the Rioja.  The estate was sold in 1845 during political unrest in Spain.  It was resold in 1967 when Jaime Rodriguez Salis purchased the estate’s vineyards.  His son, Telmo Rodriguez, was the winemaker during the 1990s.  
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