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Home is where the heart (and wine) is! Merry Edwards and Friends help us find meaningful moments and connections amidst an angst-ridden year.

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We’ve finally landed in a new place – a new, physical space and a new state of being. And I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. It has been an incredibly challenging time for me over the past several years as I have struggled with anxiety, financial instability, fear, overwhelm, aging and heartbreak.

Much of this can be attributed to the real estate roller coaster on which my husband and I have been on. More specifically, due to financial constraints, in mid-2023, we made the difficult decision to put our home on the market and move to a new neighborhood with the aim of reducing our monthly living expenses. It was an easily conceived plan, yet not so easily implemented.

In fact, what started as a simple idea became a complicated journey that lasted for two and half years and added a lot of stress and strife to our already hectic lives. As a result, we were forced to deal with much uncertainty, a loss of autonomy and a heightened and sustained state of fight/flight/freeze/fawn.

Along the way, we found ourselves half-packed for a period of six months, as we waited for all of the various elements to successfully conclude with the sale of our apartment. Our next leg consisted of subletting a place in a fifth-floor walk up in midtown Manhattan for three months, carrying our medically-compromised dog up and down the stairs at least three times a day. While we were truly grateful to have a safe place to land for that time period, it was definitely not fun.

Thankfully, we are finally on the other side of this ordeal and are trying to level-set our lives once again as we settle into our new home and new normal.

However, all of this upheaval definitely stirred up a lot of feelings, causing us to ask the question: What is a home, anyway? Is it bricks and mortar? Is it your mailing address? Is it simply the place where you lay your head each night?

For twelve years, we had lived in an apartment we had dubbed ZenSKape. With its Zen-like decor – a shoji screen room divider, a waterfall wall feature and art from our trip to Japan – it had been our sanctuary during that time. But, living day-to-day, surrounded by a perimeter of boxes, our home shifted into someplace we no longer felt calm. Then, the relocation to someone else’s residence, added to our sense of unease and a lack of belonging.

In response to this nervous system dysregulation, I found myself reaching out to friends with greater frequency, trying to find that calm and connection. And, many of these meet ups centered around wine, lending a festive and familiar air to our visits. Wine was a constant, keeping us tethered to community and reminding us to find moments of pleasure, peace and happiness, even on some of the hardest days. And, ultimately, finding the joy of making it to the end of this journey!

TASTING NOTES
Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Russian River Valley (CA), USA, $45.00
May 2025 found me in the moments before the chaos. We were in contract on both the sale of our apartment and the purchase of a new one, anticipating a positive outcome to the lengthy process. In that spirit of enthusiasm, I met up with my friend Ron at his apartment, with a bottle of Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc 2023 in hand. We opened up the bottle, poured the wine and conversation flowed. Bright acidity, medium plus body, slight herbs, citrus and tropical fruit, culminating in long length and pairing beautifully with Thai cuisine.

Merry Edwards Meredith Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Russian River Valley (CA), USA, $80.00
Domaine Anderson Pinot Noir 2021, Anderson Valley (CA), USA, $55.00
A few weeks later, we admittedly started to feel nostalgic as the end date of living at ZenSKape loomed large. We made linguini with clam sauce for dinner at home and reached for the Merry Edwards Meredith Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2023. With tropical fruit and citrus aromas, it was more reserved on the palate, with tart citrus, minerality and long length. In a similar bid for holding on to precious moments, we enjoyed a picnic in Fort Tryon Park with our neighbors, preparing Tuna Nicoise and pairing it with the Domaine Anderson Pinot Noir 2021.


Merry Edwards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2022, Sonoma Coast (CA), USA, $50.00
In further anticipation of our impending move to Riverdale, I met up with my dear friend Aleksandra in her home in Riverdale in June, bearing a bottle of Merry Edwards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. The visit was lovely as was the wine, which offered up bright acidity, medium body, luscious red fruit, slight herbal undertones and long length.

Merry Edwards 25th Anniversary Pinot Noir 2022, Russian River Valley (CA), USA, $120.00
Yet, by now, the fatigue of uncertainty had started to weigh on our minds. We had expected to be closing on both places by the end of June, but midway through the month, nothing had changed. Then, only a few days later, we learned that our application to the board in our proposed new building was denied. In the wake of that distressing news, we tried to find a bright spot by enjoying the 2022 25th Anniversary Pinot Noir, which displayed notes of raspberry and dark cherries on the nose. The dry palate presented lively acidity, medium-plus body, with hints of cocoa and spice, along with a very long length. Not long after this delicious diversion, we finished packing up all of our wines, limiting our home consumption for some time.

Bon Vivant Sparkling Rosé NV, California, USA, $20.00
Finally, in early October, the sale of our apartment was complete and we relocated to the midtown sublet noted above. In an effort to make the sublet our own, we found ways to spend time together and with friends. On one occasion, my friend Laura stopped by on a Friday evening, during which we enjoyed the Bon Vivant Sparkling Rosé with charcuterie, cheese and olives before heading to City Center for a mesmerizing dance production of Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends. With a beautiful pale salmon hue, the effervescence danced on our tongues, with flavors of citrus, apple skin and toast.

Bon Vivant Sparkling NV, California, USA, $20.00
Not wanting him to feel left out, I opened up the rose’s Brut sparkler equivalent the following week for our date night in the sublet with Thai takeout. Both this wine and the rose were really wonderful examples of Traditional Method sparkling wines available at a reasonable price point. The Brut had an elegant mousse, with aromas of toast, green apple, citrus and long length.

Merry Edwards Olivet Lane Chardonnay 2023, Russian River Valley (CA), USA, $70.00
By now it was mid-November and Thanksgiving was around the corner. As it had been awhile since I had seen my friend Ron, we made our usual plans to meet up at his place over a bottle or two. I knew he would appreciate this single vineyard Chard, with its complex aromas of lemon, citrus, vanilla and toffee. The excellent, full bodied white had bright acidity and very long length; it did not disappoint.


Scharffenberger Cellars Blanc de Noirs 2019, Mendocino County (CA), USA, $40.00
Domaine Anderson Estate Pinot Noir 2022, Anderson Valley (CA), USA, $55.00
Merry Edwards Olivet Lane Pinot Noir 2023, Russian River Valley (CA), USA, $77.00
For the past five years, we had hosted Friendsgiving in our apartment, which was an important and meaningful celebration for us. But, being in temporary housing meant that such a gathering was impossible. Gratefully, our dear friends who had been welcome guests at our Friendsgiving table took up the mantle to host and invited us to join them and others. We arrived ready to relish a sumptuous meal, surrounded by chosen family and fabulous food, with a Trader Joe’s pumpkin pie and three bottles of wine. We kicked off the festivities with the Scharffenberger Blanc de Noirs 2019, with its notes of toast and lemon, joined by a hint of almond in the finish. As the meal progressed, we opened up two Pinot Noirs, which are a great accompaniment at the Thanksgiving table, as I have shared previously. The Domaine Anderson Estate Pinot Noir 2022 provided an array of dried herbs, spice, berries and fresh red fruits, along with good acidity, medium body and long length. In contrast, the Merry Edwards Olivet Lane Pinot Noir 2023 was less fruit forward and much moodier with smoke, fresh herbal notes, and wet leaves,, but was still bright on the palate with medium-plus body and very long length.


Scharffenberger Sparkling Rosé NV, Mendocino County (CA), USA, $30.00
On the heels of this holiday high, we were grateful to receive good news – our interview with the board at our new apartment co-op had been scheduled for early December. This boded well since it is rare that you are invited to interview if you won’t be accepted soon after. Fingers crossed, we went into the interview cautiously optimistic. Our hard work in putting together our board package was richly rewarded with the announcement that we had, indeed, been accepted. For certain, this called for a bubbly celebration and the Scharffenberger Sparkling Rosé was a perfect option. We slowly savored the mix of red cherries and yeasty notes; admired the palate’s lovely mousse, good acidity and long length; and exhaled a big sigh of relief.  We finally had a new home!

Roederer Estate Sparkling Brut MV, Anderson Valley (CA), USA, $32.00
Roederer Estate Sparkling Rose MV, Anderson Valley (CA), USA, $39.00
We had the good fortune to be able to move into our apartment in time for the December holidays and, consequently, kept the celebration going. Christmas Day found us at home, happy to be able to continue our Christmas tradition of a Jewish Christmas (Chinese food and movies) in our new place. We merrily toasted the season with Roederer Estate’s Sparkling Rose, which offered up fresh notes of strawberry, apple peel and yeast, along with bright acidity and long length. The Sparkling Brut was wonderful a few days later as we unpacked our lives and got ready for the new year.


Domaine Anderson Estate Chardonnay 2022, Anderson Valley (CA), USA, $40.00
Merry Edwards Georgeanne Pinot Noir 2023, Russian River Valley (CA), USA, $72.00
For the MLK Holiday weekend, we hunkered down with the snow and settled into our annual connection weekend tradition. Among our activities, we enjoyed some nice dinners together and opened up two wines over the course of the weekend. The Chardonnay displayed a balanced use of oak, with citrus and tropical fruit, medium-plus body and medium acidity. We especially loved the Georganne Pinot Noir 2023, with its range of aromas and flavors from wet leaves and coffee to cherries and cocoa, along with bright acidity, medium body and long length.

Domaine Anderson Pinoli Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021, Anderson Valley, (CA), USA, $70.00
Merry Edwards Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2023, Anderson Valley, (CA), USA, $55.00
At this point in our tenure, we were ready to welcome guests to our home, which we had christened, MaisonOtto. First to visit were Hillarie and Tom, from our previous building, as well as my friend Helene. They all had the good fortune to enjoy Domaine Anderson Pinoli Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 with its depth of bright red fruit, blueberry, and spices. The palate provided good acidity, medium body and very long length. A week or so later, Keith and Linda stopped by before we headed out to dinner at the new Mediterranean restaurant, Sawa, around the corner. We opened up the Merry Edwards Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2023, which displayed aromas of cocoa, blueberry and blackberry, slight herbs and earth, which gave way to bright acidity, medium body and long length.

Roederer Estate Clark Road Vineyard 2021, Anderson Valley (CA), USA, $55.00
Merry Edwards Coopersmith Pinot Noir 2023, Russian River Valley (CA), USA, $75.00
Finally, by mid-February, we were mostly settled and were ready to host our first dinner party, which took the form of a February Baby Birthday Dinner – celebrating two of my best friends whose birthdays are in February. The menu included Carrot and Ginger Soup, Beef Tagine with Apricots and Prunes and a Gluten-Free Chocolate Gingerbread Cake. Admittedly, I was too busy hosting to take good tasting notes, but both wines were truly well received and added greatly to the celebratory nature of the birthday dinner. It had been an arduous journey, but we had definitely arrived on the other side. Home Sweet Home!

Loire Valley Wine for the Win

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With Thanksgiving around the corner, one need not look any further than the Loire Valley for wonderful wines to grace their table. Here, in the land of castles and Kings, French royalty would spend their summers in the countryside away from the hustle and bustle of Parisian city life.

Spanning 629 miles and stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the center of France before heading south, the Loire River is the longest wild river in France. Given this vast distance covered, a diversity of climates, grapes and wines exist, making the river among the only threads that tie this large wine region together. Rather, while lumped into one large region, the Loire Valley is actually an amalgam of several smaller wine appellations that offer up a wide range of wines thanks to changing microclimates, soil types and grape varieties. This sheer diversity means that there is something for everyone from bone dry, mineral-driven whites to lusciously sweet dessert wines and everything in between. Additionally, the area is known for its full range of red, white, rose and refreshing sparklers. So, if you can’t find a Loire Valley wine to love… chances are that you don’t actually like wine 😉.

My husband and I visited the Loire Valley back in 1999, as part of a belated honeymoon trip through France. Our knowledge of the area was limited, but we were excited to visit the grand chateaux that now function as museums. However, upon arriving in the region, we quickly discovered that it was not only home to stunning scenery, exquisite castles and fabulous gastronomy, but it was also home to a plethora of wine.

To wit, we had barely entered the area when we were enticed to stop at Domaine Ackerman where we did a tasting of their Crémant de Loire sparkling wines. These Traditional Method sparklers spend a minimum of nine months aging on the lees and deliver great quality and value. It was a lovely introduction to the region and a welcome respite after our long drive.

Today, 85% of Loire Valley vineyards are farmed in adherence with one or more environmental approaches, signifying the region’s dedication to sustainable practices. The most prevalent varieties include Cabernet Franc (most notably the Bourgueil and Chinon appellations), Chenin Blanc (grown in the areas of Anjou, Saumur and Vouvray) and Melon (wines labeled as Muscadet, hailing from the Atlantic coast). Another key grape is Sauvignon Blanc, which is primarily planted in the continental climate of the Central Vineyards (with wines labeled — and perhaps more recognizable to consumers as — Sancerre, Pouilly Fume, and Menetou-Salon).

At a recent walk-around tasting and dinner at Lafayette, I had the opportunity to taste through a vast selection of Loire Valley wines, presented by category. While I didn’t try every single wine on offer (nor did I attempt to do so), I did a pretty good job, sipping (and spitting) 37 of the 50 wines. After the tasting portion of the evening, we were treated to a sumptuous, multi-course meal, paired with additional Loire Valley wines.

A few of my favorite wines from the evening are listed below, but I highly encourage you to simply seek out Loire Valley wines on restaurant wine lists and at your local bottle shop. Not only do they offer great diversity, they are generally well priced and very food friendly, making them a fantastic option for your holiday celebrations.


Sparkling
Domaine du Changeon Les Fabuleuses 2023, Crémant de Loire, France
This 100% Cabernet Franc rose sparkler offers up notes of yeast, and floral. It was slightly fuller bodied, with a heftier palate than some of the others I tasted, with a nice richness and weight, culminating in very long length.

Maison Ackerman Crémant de Loire Rosé Brut Bulle Royale, Crémant de Loire, France
Having visited this winery decades ago, it was a pleasure to become reacquainted with their wines. Another rose sparkling wine, this one brings together 60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Pinot Noir and 10% Grolleau. It displayed elegance and finesse with a fine bead on the palate, along with slight cherry and yeast aromas and flavors.

Sauvignon Blanc & Other Whites
Domaine Pre Baron Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Touraine AOC, France
A more restrained style of Sauvignon Blanc than many of those produced in New Zealand, this wine provided citrus and mineral notes, along with medium body and good length.

Vignoble Gilbert Chon, Perle Bleue – Folle Blanche 2023 Gros Plant due Pays Nantais, France
While Folle Blanche is not a well known grape, most relegated to the production of Cognac and Armagnac, this wine was a shining example of how a less lauded variety is capable of producing a simple, yet very satisfying wine. Citrus notes, crisp acidity, and good length.

Melon Blanc
Domaine Julien Braud Les Vignes du Bourg 2023, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC, France
Aged for six months on the lees in glass-lined vats, this wine shows bright acidity, yeasty aromas, joined by citrus-lime flavors on the palate, with long length.

Vignoble Gilbert Chon Muscat Chateau de la Jousseliniere 2023, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC, France
Having spent more than 8 months aging on the lees, this wine displays more pronounced yeast notes, along with minerality and very long length. It is the quintessential pairing partner to oysters.

Chenin Blanc
Alliance Loire Vouvray Sec Les Lys 2021, Vouvray, France
This wine offers up a complex mix of minerality and tree fruit, with a rich palate and really lovely mouthfeel, culminating with long length.

Domaine de la Chataigneraie Vouvray de Gautier 2023, Vouvray AOC, France
Similarly rich and complex, this wine provides very ripe tropical fruit, but is balanced with vibrant acidity.

Roses & Reds
Lacheteau Soupcon de Fruit Rose d’Anjou 2024, Rosé d´Anjou AOC, France
A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 20% Grolleau, and 20% Gamay, this off-dry rose shows ripe, red berries, but remains fresh and balanced with good acidity and nice length.

Domaine Oudart Apicula 2023, Touraine AOC, France
Produced from 100% Gamay — a grape more associated with Beaujolais than the Loire — this is a fresh and fragrant quaffable red, with ripe fruit, and candied bacon.

Cabernet Franc
Catherine et Pierre Breton Trinch! 2023, Bourgueil AOC, France
Layered notes of dried herbs, spice, and black cherry, with crunchy acidity, medium+ body, integrated tannins and long length.

Amirault -Clos des Quarterons ls Quarterons2023, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC, France
Biodynamically produced by members of the 6th generation, this is really lovely, with soft tannins, lots of minerality, fresh red fruit, an herbal undercurrent and long length.

Domaine Pierre et Bertrand Couly La Haute Olive 2018, Chinon AOC, France
Enjoyed with dinner, this wine was a beautiful pairing with the Short Rib Bourguignon and showed off that these wines have aging potential.

Back with Bousquet, my reunion with Anne and her wines

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It was an absolute pleasure to reacquaint myself with Anne Bousquet and Domaine Bousquet‘s wines. When I last saw Anne, it was March 10, 2020 (see story). Little did we know it, but the world was about to fall apart. Thankfully, both Anne and I survived the pandemic and I have had the opportunity to taste her wines since then (Anne and her chief agronomist presented an informative webinar in 2021).

But, as it had been such a lengthy period since our last visit, I was excited at the prospect of seeing her in person to catch up at a press dinner in late October of this year.

During the intervening years, Anne has certainly not been idle. Domaine Bousquet has been continuing its efforts not only in producing high quality wines, but also in focusing on organic practices in the vineyard. Further, the winery in Argentina’s Uco Valley has significantly expanded its hospitality. More specifically, they established an on-site bistro, hotel and robust tasting room to welcome guests. As part of the Gaia experience, the trio ensure that they have a wonderful experience at the property.

Additionally, they have been at the forefront of the elevation of gastronomy in the region. To this end, the Michelin folks recently came to the region for the very first time, recognizing that the local restaurants are worthy of rating.

Of note, during pandemic, understandably, there was more local interest whereas previously, the visitors were all tourists. However, it seems that the locals are continuing to visit the winery.

Gathered together again — in person — Anne, the group of wine industry professionals and myself enjoyed a delicious dinner at Cucina Alessa, an Italian restaurant in midtown Manhattan.

The food was a wonderful foil for the four Bousquet wines we tasted, all of which are well balanced and food friendly. Moreover, the wines continue to be good value and, with Domaine Bousquet’s membership as a B Corp (as I had previously shared), you can feel good about supporting a company that has devoted significant time and effort to organic agriculture and sustainability, among other altruistic endeavors.

Overall, it was a fantastic evening, filled with lively conversations and, of course, great wine!

Domaine Bousquet Chardonnay Gran 2022, Mendoza, Argentina, $25.00
Produced from the very first vines planted in 2000, the vineyard is at a high altitude of 4000 ft., which helps preserve the natural acidity of the grapes. The resulting organic wine spent 12 months in barrel, 75% of which was new oak. On the nose, it is slightly nutty, with apple and vanilla notes. It has medium+ body, medium acidity and long length.

Domaine Bousquet Gaia Rose 2024, Mendoza, Argentina, $20.00
The Gaia line is named for the Greek goddess of the Earth. This rose is produced from 100% Pinot Noir and is very fresh with great acidity. Notes of strawberries and cherries dominate the nose and palate, culminating in long length.

Virgen Vineyards USDA Organic Malbec 2023, Mendoza, Argentina, $13.00
Virgen was Domaine Bousquet’s first line without added sulfites and is USDA-certified, vegan and organic. Admittedly, Anne was initially worried about crafting these wines since the addition of small amount of sulfites provides protection to the wine. However, they have proven to be hearty on their own. Made from Argentina’s signature grape, Malbec, the wine was light and fresh, with berries, medium body, beautiful acidity and good length.

Domaine Bousquet Ameri Red Blend 2021, Mendoza, Argentina, $ 36.00
As Domaine Bousquet’s premium red blend, Ameri is made only in the best vintages, from grapes harvested from a “single cluster,” within a single certified-organic vineyard that stands at 4,125 ft, the highest elevation on the estate. The 2021 is comprised of 60% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 5% Syrah. It offers up an intense nose of black fruit, slight oak and spice, along with a full-bodied palate with medium+ acidity and finishing with very long length.
Spice, black berry
Very long length

Blue Bin wines’ positive impact on the environment

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I first became familiar with the Ron Rubin Winery during the pandemic (See story from June 2020) as I sipped and savored his wine in my local park. I was impressed with the wines and enjoyed getting to know his story, as he pursued his lifelong dream of making wine.

More recently, I was introduced to Ron’s latest venture: Blue Bin, which builds on his commitment to sustainability, verifiable performance, transparency and accountability.
This initial effort was codified with the achievement of BCorp certification in August 2022 (presently one of only 33 Certified B Corporation wineries in the world and 1 of 5 in California). For those less or unfamiliar, “B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.” (For more details on B Corp Certification, please see the organization’s website.)

Blue Bin’s claim to fame is that it is “The first premium wine bottle made from 100% recycled material in the United States”. More specifically, the fully recyclable is a hybrid of plastic, lined with Plasmax, an ultra-thin protective layer of glass. The result is packaging that is both lighter and shatterproof. 

Admittedly, the switch from glass to plastic might make the wine look unusual (and interestingly, when I brought a bottle to a holiday party, there was some concern that the bottle could be mistaken by the children present for a bottle of soda), but it is worth changing your perspective on what a bottle of wine should look like. In fact, one third of a wine’s carbon footprint is attributed to the glass bottles in which it is usually packaged. While glass is an excellent option for storing wine, it is also a heavy one and thus impacts shipping. Moreover, glass bottles are not always recycled in the United States, further complicating the problem.

Despite the unique packaging, Blue Bin’s wines are still well made wines and good examples of their respective grape varieties. At the moment, there are four wines made under the Blue Bin label: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Rose, all produced with fruit sourced from California, utilizing sustainable growing practices.

So, in the end, the wines might look a little different, but there is no impact on the taste; only a positive impact on the environment. They taste like…wine (and good wine, at that)!

TASTING NOTES

Blue Bin Pinot Grigio 2022, California, USA, $15.00
Aromas and flavors of smoke and citrus, with a dry palate, bright acidity, medium body, culminating in long length.

Blue Bin Chardonnay 2022, California, USA, $15.00
Pear and honeysuckle greet the nose, this dry wine has nice acidity, ripe red apple and pear fruit and is medium bodied with good length.

Blue Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2022, California, USA, $15.00
An intense nose of herbal and citrus notes, this dry wine offers up bright acidity, medium+ body and long length.

Blue Bin Rose 2022, California, USA, $15.00
Redolent of cherries and melon, this wine is slightly off dry, with medium acidity,
medium body and flavors of ripe watermelon and berries, with long length.


Fun times with fresh wines, Rioja’s El Coto wines

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A Not-So-Silent Disco with El Coto…

Last week we were excited to participate in a Silent Disco event at Fort Tryon Park with friends and neighbors. Yet, at the last minute, the event was postponed due to inclement weather. Yuck! (And good call on the organizers’ part as dancing in the rain with expensive headphones isn’t a great idea). But, we were disappointed not to get together and enjoy each other’s company.

Accordingly, we moved the celebration indoors, sans dancing, and invited the group to gather at our apartment. I offered up wine; our neighbors said they’d bring snacks. True to their word, H and T arrived at our door with a tray, bearing cheeses, salami, fruit and crackers. Meanwhile, I had set the table with a few snacks of our own and had chilled several wines from El Coto. Situated in Spain’s Rioja region, this winery was established in 1970 and is still going strong.

Despite the wet weather, it was still a hot and muggy summer night, so we were all eager to enjoy some chilled wines. The El Coto Blanco and El Coto Rose were the perfect options to pair with our impromptu party!

I opened up the rose first and the bottle was soon empty (a clear crowd favorite!), necessitating that we turn our attention to the white, which was also greatly appreciated by our guests. As it grew late, we wrapped up our conversations, and cleaned up as everyone soon cleared out. All in all, it was a lovely evening!

A few days later, I opened up the El Coto Crianza, which had been touted as being a red wine capable of being chilled. My previous experience with chilled reds has been primarily limited to Beaujolais and other fresh and fruity reds; I wondered how the Rioja would fare with time in the fridge. I needn’t have worried; it was really nice and paired well with my leftover paella.

Looking for refreshing wines to enjoy on a hot summer day? Look no further than this trio from El Coto!

TASTING NOTES

El Coto Blanco 2022, Rioja, Spain, SRP $11.99


This wine is a blend of 93% Viura, 4% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Verdejo. It displays notes of citrus and pear on the nose. The dry palate provides medium acidity, medium body and flavors of citrus, pear and apple, culminating in long length.

El Coto Rose 2021, Rioja, Spain, SRP $11.99

Bringing together Rioja’s traditional Tempranillo (90% ) and Garnacha (10%), this beautifully-hued salmon pink wine offered up aromas and flavors of raspberry and strawberry. It is fresh and lively, with medium acidity, medium body, and medium plus length. Easy drinking and very food friendly.

El Coto Crianza 2019, Rioja, Spain, SRP $16.99

Sporting 100% Tempranillo, this wine was aged in oak for at least 12 months with an additional six months in bottle, prior to release, as befits its Crianza designation. Aromas of wood, blackberry and raspberry greet the nose. The palate is dry, with bright acidity, flavors of berries, oak and spice, with medium plus body and medium length.

Picnic season returns… wines for spring and summer 2023

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Spring has been a long time coming this year. While Mother Nature graced us with a beautiful glimpse of picture-perfect weather in early April, the cold, wet weeks that followed left much to be desired. We are now happy to see the sun and feel its warmth, beckoning us outside. In a word (or more precisely two), it’s Picnic Season!

That means a lot of things, but chief among them is what wines to enjoy al fresco this spring and summer. In that regard, I recently had the very pleasant opportunity to taste through a selection of wines from Spanish wine producer, Hammeken Cellars. With Sailé Ramirez at the helm as CEO, the company has launched six new brands and planted over 250,000 trees as part of their sustainability program.

In fact, during that spring preview weekend in April, my husband and I had a picnic date night in Fort Tryon Park, toting along two rosés from their collection: Radio Boka Rosé and Sedosa Rosé.

Outside was no longer an option for a while, so the Radio Boka Verdejo was enjoyed indoors at the dining table, but the Gotas de Mar Albarino was a welcome companion as I introduced my friend, Sharon, to the joys of fancy picnics when we met up in Prospect Park for lunch and a production of Molière’s Tartuffe.

In keeping with the theme of freshness and al fresco dining, I’m including tasting notes from a recent seminar with Domaine Bousquet, since several of its current releases are also perfect picnic pairings, particularly, their sparkling rose and LO CA Chardonnay.

TASTING NOTES

WHITES

Radio Boka Verdejo 2021, VDT Castilla, Spain, $12.00
Aromas of bitter almond, pear, and citrus on both the nose and palate, this complex wine offers up medium body, medium acidity and long length.

Gotas de Mar Albariño 2022, Rias Baixas, Spain, $25.00
Produced from 100% Albariño from 15-25 year old vines, this wine was aged for six months on its lees. Notes of citrus and riper tree fruit are joined by minerality and salinity, with medium body, good acidity and long length.

Domaine Bousquet LO CA Chardonnay 2022, Uco Valley, Argentina, $14.00
LO CA is a local calorie and low alcohol wine, which required numerous attempts to get it right due to ensure a wine that was stable and of the quality they desired. The resulting wine has 9% abv and 2% residual sugar. Green apple, musk and citrus greet the nose and persist on the palate with high acidity, minerality, medium body and long length.

ROSÉS

2021 Radio Boka Rosé, VDT Castilla, Spain, $12.00
Tasted alongside the Sedosa rosé, this wine was less ripe, with slightly higher acidity. It is redolent of fresh raspberries and citrus, with medium body and long length.

Sedosa Organic Rosé 2021, VDT Castilla, Spain, $20.00
Comprised of 100% Bobal from 15 year old vines, this wine is pale salmon in color with aromas of berries, and melon and a hint of floral. The dry palate provides ripe fresh berries, good acidity and long length.

Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rose NV, Uco Valley, Argentina, $13.00
This sparkling wine is produced using the Charmat Method, bringing together 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay. Deep salmon in color, with a persistent bead, it is fresh and lively with tart cherry notes, a lovely mousse and long length.



Chateau Maris, A Sustainability Story

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Reinterpreting the triangle trade in an eco-friendly and fair trade way, the Brittany-based Grain de Sail partners with organic and biodynamic French wine producers to ship the bottles to New York City aboard their carbon-free cargo sailboat. From New York, the boat heads to Central America where it takes on organic coffee and cocoa beans, which will be roasted and produced (respectively) by Grain de Sail’s operation in Brittany.

Grain de Sail’s most recent arrival in Brooklyn’s harbor included 1,200 bottles of “Naïve Wine” from Chateau Maris, a biodynamic producer located in the Languedoc. This is just the latest in a string of Chateau Maris’ sustainable efforts and decarbonized solutions, which became the first winery in all of Europe to become a Certified BCorp.

The partnership between Chateau Maris and Grain de Sail was a natural one (pun intended), since both companies share the same set of values. Equipped with solar panels, an insulated hull and a heat exchange system, the cargo ship is outfitted with the latest and greatest technology to ensure that the boat is ecologically sound and the products are safely transported.

Making the trans-Atlantic voyage in 24 days, Grain de Sail’s reliance on wind power makes the crossing 50x greener than sending the wines by the usual container ship. And, these days, with the backlog of containers in the U.S.’ Port Elizabeth, the producers can actually get their wines into the market faster, despite the lengthier trip (24 days via sailboat vs 5 days via container ship).

“If the wine sucks, the conversation ends.” ~Jacques Herviou

At an event showcasing both the sailboat and Chateau Maris’ “Naïve Wine”, members of the press had the opportunity to meet representatives from both companies, taste the wines and enjoy a beautiful Manhattan sunset.

Back in the day, Jacques Herviou, one of Chateau Maris’ three partners, used to sell high end wine such as Grand Cru Burgundy. But, during his visits to various less developed countries, he saw pollution and other environmental issues that upset him. Returning home, it became hollow to sell luxury products to the rich, sparking his desire to be a part of the solution instead.

In 1996, Jacques made the acquaintance of a New York-based investor, Kevin Parker, who is passionate about sustainability and biodynamic winemaker Robert Eden. The trio purchased the well-regarded Chateau Maris only to discover that they had been sold a lemon of a vineyard.

More specifically, they realized that the soil was completely depleted as a result of years of being poisoned with pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers. Thus, it was incumbent upon them to breath new life back into the soil in order to create a wine with life.

They experimented with various compost piles, treating one with a biodynamic preparation, which they found to be substantially better than the non-treated pile.
They became certified through EcoCert in 2002, by Biodyvin in 2004 and by Demeter in 2008. But, Jacques is quick to note it was a business decision to go biodynamic rather than a romantic or marketing one. As he so eloquently put it, “If the wine sucks, the conversation ends.”

These wines assuredly do NOT suck! Over the course of the evening, we tasted:
–Rose de Nymphe Emue 2021: A pale-hued pink, this rose is similar in style to its neighboring Provence and was crisp and refreshing with lovely fresh fruit.
–Naive 2020: The wine of the hour, having made its maiden voyage on the Grain de Sail, this Grenache-based wine has no added sulfur, yet it is stable and redolent of red fruit, with good acidity and medium body. It fittingly features a label with a drawing by surrealist painter, Henri Rousseau.
–Dynamic 2016: This beautiful Syrah is bold, full-bodied and meaty, yet still elegant with dark fruit and ripe tannins.

Beyond the vineyard, Chateau Maris strives to implement its sustainability efforts throughout the entire process. In this regard, as a certified BCorp, this commitment extends to the company’s governance, environment, community, workers and customers, which has led to its designation as “Best for the World” Environment in both 2017 and 2018. Moreover, Wine Spectator magazine has named it, “One of the 5 most environmentally friendly wineries in the world.” Further efforts include the planting of trees through Trees for Jane as well as donations to ASPAS to restore a wildlife area in the Languedoc and La Maison de l’ Abeille de Cassagnoles to preserve and protect the bee population.

Moreover, they are constantly looking at new ways to reduce their carbon footprint, which is why the partnership with Grain de Sail was such a good fit. Herviou was very pleased with the way that things had gone with the maiden voyage and was excited about Grain de Sail’s newest ship slated for completion in 2024, which will have a much larger shipping capacity. Wishing them all smooth sailing!

Picnics of Perfection and the Perfect Wines to Pair with them

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The fires of Beltane have come and gone, ushering in warmer weather and brighter days as we await next month’s Summer Solstice. For me, this means outdoor dining
and, while outdoor dining took on new meaning this past year, there’s something about eating outside that generally adds to the ambience (although less so in February — at least in New York). Of course, with lovely weather, verdant lawns, delicious food and great friends, a picnic is an especially lovely experience. Thus, my tiffin box and I were delighted to take to the park recently in search of sun, al fresco fare and good company, accompanied by good wine.

I can still remember one of my first picnics as a young child. I simply draped a cloth on an old tree stump and proceeded to enjoy my lunch. As I got older, my picnics became more elaborate, particularly when my husband and I began to explore the joys of picnicking on our first visit to France together. This is not particularly surprising given that the word pique-nique dates to 17th century France. In any event, we would attend the local farmer’s market, select an assortment of bread, cheeses, meats and a bottle of wine before finding the perfect spot in which to partake of our meal. These pleasant memories set the stage for our future outings in parks, at polo events and elsewhere.


Consequently, today, picnics are a big part of our summer plans and I am always at the ready with my picnic backpack, picnic blanket and the aforementioned tiffin box. While I take great pleasure in the creation of a beautiful meal in a beautiful setting, your ideal picnic might simply be a blanket and baloney sandwiches. Neither one of is right, as long as we are both having a great time!

That being said, I do feel that any meal is elevated by the presence of wine and picnics are no exception. Seek out fresh whites, crisp rosés and bubbles of all shades as refreshing, food friendly and fun options to adorn one’s outdoor feast.

Here are some wonderful wine options to get you started!



WHITES
Veramonte Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Casablanca Valley, Chile, $11.99
From the cool Casablanca Valley in Chile, this wine offers up fresh herbal and citrus aromas, which persist on the palate with zippy acidity, medium body and good length. As an organic wine, it represents only a small percentage of Chilean vineyards that have sought out this designation.

Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Russian River Valley (CA), USA, $45.00
From the highly respected producer, Merry Edwards, this Sauvignon Blanc is a more concentrated option with rich fruit notes of pear and citrus along with an herbal character on the nose. It provides good acidity, is slightly riper than the 2018, with medium-to-full body and very long length. This is a pricier option than the others listed here, but is definitely worth the splurge.
For more on Merry Edwards, see these stories:
– In Pursuit of Pleasure, Promise and Pinot
– Making Merry for the Holidays

Vilarnau Brut Reserva NV, Cava, Spain, $14.99
Cava producer, Vilarnau, has been around since 1949 and is located in the of heart of Catalonia in Sant Sadurni d’Anoia, just outside Barcelona. Its current labels pay homage to Antoni Gaudi, whose many masterpieces can be found in the city. Also an organic wine, this traditional blend of Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo, is aged over 15 months in bottle, with toasty, yeasty, apple notes on the nose and palate, good persistence of bubbles, and long length.

Corvezzo Prosecco DOC Extra Dry, Treviso, Italy, $13.00
Founded in 1960, this family-owned winery is now run by Giovanni Corvezzo, who was responsible for converting the vineyards to organic farming in 2013, and has since earned its organic certification in Italy. With a very fresh nose of cotton candy, pear and floral notes, this lovely sparkler is dry on palate, with good persistence of bubbles, vibrant acidity and long length.

ROSES
Domaine Bousquet Gaia Rosé 2020, Mendoza, Argentina, $20.00
While I had the pleasure of tasting wine with Anne Bousquet just before the pandemic, this is a new wine from the winery. Produced from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, the nose is redolent of raspberries and strawberries that persist on the dry palate, along with medium+ acidity, medium body and long length.

Corvezzo Prosecco DOC Rosé Extra Dry, Millesimato Treviso, Italy, $13.00
It’s official! Prosecco can now legally be produced as a rosé sparkling wine. Another organic and vegan option from Corvezzo, this wine offers up aromas of berries, cherry and peach, with beautiful freshness on the palate, and a gentle perlage, along with long length.

Vilarnau Brut Reserva Rosé Delicat NV, Cava, Spain, $15.99
From the same producer noted above, with its Gaudi-inspired label, this sparkling rosé is soon to be certified organic. A blend of 85% Garnacha and 15% Pinot Noir, the wine displays fresh floral and berry notes with a lovely dry, effervescent palate, and balanced acidity, culminating in long length.

If you desire your own very special picnic without doing all the work, check out Perfect Picnic.

‘Tis the Season to Think… Pink

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As the old year draws to a close and the new one lingers on the horizon, the arrival of the Winter Solstice (on or about December 21) brings with it the shortest day – and longest night – of the year. From its Latin roots, we are reminded that on this day, the sun stands still; we can take a moment to reflect and look up at the stars.

Gazing upward, Orion greets us from his perch in this sky. Home to three of the 25 brightest stars, Orion’s gleaming placement among the stars permits him to be seen all over the world, regardless of hemisphere. This winter constellation, named for the myth of Orion, and seen so well amidst the darkness, poetically alludes to the regenerative powers of the sun as Orion’s own eyesight was restored by its healing rays. And, just south of his brilliant belt, Orion’s faithful companion, Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, literally sparkles as brightest star in the sky.

In olden days, this moment in the calendar marked the end of harvest (and all of the hard work it entailed) and signaled instead a time to celebrate. Rome’s festival of Saturnalia took place from December 17 to 25 – those Romans knew how to party!

So, taking a cue from these ancient holidays, now is the perfect time to raise a glass (or two) in celebration of this festive season and all that we have to be thankful for!

Of course, you can toast the holidays with red or white, but why not think pink this season? If you’ve put away your rosé, along with your bathing suits and shorts, it’s time to reconsider your rosé routine. Unfortunately, rosé has become nearly synonymous with the lazy, hazy days of summer and relegated to pool parties and picnics.

But, rosé is much more than that! Yes, rosé is perfect for the hot and humid temperatures of June, July and August, but it is not a pair of white pants and can be drunk after Labor Day. If rosé is here to stay (which it most definitely is), it should stay all year round. In fact, rosé is such a versatile wine that it should be a welcome addition to the table any time of year.

So, it was a pleasure to receive a quartet of rosés from Provence, which itself is nearly synonymous with rosé, to mark this year’s holidays and share with friends  at a Solstice celebration. As 2019 looms large and, with it, the sparkle of a brand-new year, fresh with promise, the bright, fresh flavors of rosé, along with their warm pink hues, provide a nice respite from the gloomy grey skies of winter!

TASTING NOTES
Château Coussin  La Croix du Prieur Rosé 2017, Côtes de Provence, France, $14.00
Primarily produced from Grenache, this wine presents intense notes of strawberry, spice, perfume and floral.

Château Henri Bonnaud Terre Promise Rosé, 2017, Côtes de Provence, France, $15.00
Comprised of half Grenache and half Syrah, this wine greets the nose with lovely cherry and berry aromas that persist on the medium-bodied palate, along with a hint of floral.

Château Leoube Le Secret de Leoube Rosé 2017, Côtes de Provence, France, $40.00
Bringing together Grenache, Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine presents delicate floral aromas with beautiful minerality on the bright and refreshing palate, culminating in long length.

Mirabeau en Provence Pure Rosé 2017, Côtes de Provence, France, $20.00
A blend of Grenache and Syrah, this wine offers up aromas of strawberry, citrus and musk on the nose, which give way to more peachy notes on the medium-bodied palate with long length.