The French Wine Revolution and Bastille Day Let's Drink

Photographer Marie Ormieres
French Wine Maker Gerard Bertrand

I really miss live wine tastings, I mean REALLY miss them.

With the pandemic forcing the cancelation of large gatherings--and for a time any gatherings--our world has shifted to the virtual realm and it's just not the same. Especially when it comes to wine tastings.

I so enjoy the interactions and discussions during wine tastings, which of course you can still have virtually. But then I'm left with a bunch of open bottles and very few people to share them with.

What is wonderful about virtual tastings is getting to see friends and colleagues from around the country and world. I look forward to seeing who logs in to each one so we can chat on the side.

At the beginning of the month I joined a group of wine friends in a tasting entitled The French Wine Revolution. It was hosted by one of my favorite French winemakers, Gerard Bertrand.

In advance of the tasting I received a box full of goodies from several of his wineries, all in the Languedoc region of Southern France.

Lining up ones for The French Wine Revolution virtual tasting

I was thrilled to see four of the Cotes des Roses. These are the most beautiful, artful bottles. The glass on the bottom is cut to look like a rose and they come with a glass enclosure. The bottles I received were 375ml but they also come in the traditional 750ml as well as large formats.

Photographer Geoffrey Lucas
Cotes des Roses wine bottles

The rose was refreshing with red fruit and character.  The sauvignon blanc was crisp and citrusy, a kind of cross between Sancerre and New Zealand styles. The chardonnay was tropical with flavors of peach and even a touch of mint on the finish. Finally, the pinot noir was light and acidic with black currant.

These wines were actually second in the order of the tasting.

We began with an overview of a few of Bertrand's 16 vineyards, along his wine making philosophy where the earth is first. He takes great pride in biodynamic farming and operating practices, and you can literally taste the difference these efforts make.

Virtual tasting with winemaker Gerard Bertrand

While he talked about taking care of the earth and the vines, we sipped Gris Blanc, Bertrand's most successful rose in Europe.

Photographer Marie Ormieres

Made from Grenache Gris, a grape with a pinkish grey skin, it makes you salivate. Light and minerals with a bit of strawberry, it's a most perfect hot weather wine.

Two wines in the Art de Vivre collection were next. The striking, heavy clay bottles are an homage to Greek and amphoras that were traditionally used to age wine.

Art de Vivre Clairette du Languedoc Adissan is a white wine that smells like pineapple. Made from clairette, it was fresh and fruity and fun with a lingering finish

The Art de Vivre red consists of syrah, grenache and Mourvèdre. A young wine it was complex with black fruits (red on the finish) and herbs such as thyme. I immediately wanted lamb.

Photographer Marie Ormieres

The final wine came from Bertrand's iconic Chateau L'Hospitalet. The award winning 2018 Grand Vin Red, is another blend of syrah, grenache and Mourvèdre. It smells full with white pepper and strawberry. With good tannins and structure, it's a wine that will only get better with time.

One of the best things about these virtual tastings is that many are recorded. If you missed this when it was live you can still watch it here. Purchase the wines locally or via wine.com and taste along.

BUT WAIT...there's more...another live event tomorrow, July 14th. 

On Bastille Day (July 14th) Bertrand is hosting another master class--with a twist. He's teaming up with chef Tim Kilcoyne to raise awareness and support for World Central Kitchen. Kilcoyne is director of chef operations of the food organization that was founded by renowned chef Jose Andres.

Chef Tim Kilcoyne in action with World Central Kitchen

The organization's mission is to provide meals to communities in need, those suffering from natural disasters such as hurricanes, and most recently COVID-19 relief. The operation is massive, it is impressive and it has made a difference in the lives of millions of people around the world

You can taste through the Cotes des Rose with Bertrand and Kilcoyne during the French Wine Revolution and Bastille Day event which begins at 1pm EST. Sign up here.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate Bastille Day while being "safer at home" this year. See you online.

Oregon Wine Month with Erath

May is Oregon Wine Month.

So many amazing wines are coming from this great state; especially ones that are low production and higher costs. But what about some every day wines?

I get calls on a regular basis from friends in bigger retailers and grocery stores who need help   selecting a wine for dinner or similar gathering.

Erath is one vineyard that consistently produces value wines. I recently tried the 2017 Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, along with a lovely Rose of Pinot  Noir, along with my Grape Minds co-host Julie Glenn and Erath winemaker Gary Horner.

He has an interesting story and takes a look back at what has made Oregon such a great wine making state.

Check it out here...

Virtual Tasting with the Legendary Domaines Barons de Rothschild

Nothing takes the place of a face to face wine tasting with a wine maker. However, in these times of social distancing it's not an option. Like so many industries, there is a shift to virtual gatherings.

Wineries have come up with a variety of ways to connect with owners, wine makers and wine experts. Wine.com has created an entire tasting series complete with celebrity vintners and with wines that have wide appeal.

It's quite simple. Select the tasting you want to participate in, sign up, and the wines are shipped right to your door.

I recently participated in a tasting with Saskia de Rothschild, chairwoman of the legendary Domaines Baron de Rothschild (Lafite).

We tasted four of Saskia's wines from the family's vineyards around the world. She tasted along from her home in France, commenting on the history of the properties and vines, while sharing what she was tasting and smelling in each of the four wines.

We began with Chateau d'aussières Chardonnay; a delightful surprise for me. From the Corbieres Valley in Langeudoc, it was rich but not oaky or buttery, rather fresh with lots of minerals, nice acidity, and citrus. My Sauvignon blanc drinking friends loved it.

Next was CARO Amancaya; a partnership with the famous Catena family in Argentina. A blend of malbec and cabernet sauvignon it was a beautiful deep ruby color, with flavors of cherries, fig, caramel and pepper. I finished it later with pasta and it was perfect.

Moving to neighboring Chile we tried Los vascos Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. It smelled like violets and eucalyptus and had soft tannins. I tasted dark fruits like cherry and plum and agreed tis Saskia's suggestion of chilling it a bit and serving with grilled veggies.

Finally we moved to Bordeaux, where Saskia's roots are. Only the Chateau L 'Evangile Blason de L'Evangile was from the right bank; most of family's legendary vineyards are on the left. From the famous Pomerol region, it was predominantly merlot with a little cabernet franc as well. The wine was sensual and big, but still balanced.

The Wine.com tastings are also recorded; if you miss the live event, you can still get in on the wine fun. Here is Saskia's. 

If there are too many wines in the tasting for you to open at once, you simply click on the link and pick back up with the next wine when you are ready. I unashamedly uncorked them all.

The majority of people tuning in would never have the opportunity to meet Saskia or visit all of the wineries featured here. It's a great way to learn and enjoy some delicious wines while sheltering at home.