Best Press Releases for 10.25.24

This is a series I’m toying with, basically incoming Emails pique my curiosity… From the Loire Valley, to Napa Valley, gifts for the holidays, and extraordinary wine cellars (above ground), it’s all here.

Gastronomy Updates from the Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is known as the “Garden of France,” accordingly it has a rich and varied gastronomy. The range is from garden-to-plate experiences, unique culinary specialties, delicious goat cheese, Michelin-starred experiences, traditionally made vinegar, and finally to Tarte Tatin. If you’re even thinking about visiting France, consider the Loire Valley, and bring the next size up in clothing. A bit of tongue in cheek humor, still think I gained five pounds just typing this, but you get the point, right? The Loire is delicious!

From Food and Wine Magazine. “Tarte Tatin is a French dessert for which apples are caramelized in a skillet with butter and sugar, then topped with a round of pastry dough and baked. After baking the tarte, you invert the skillet to serve it.”

What wine would you serve with it?

 

Salon des Rêves at Domaine Carneros Hits a Home Run

Domaine Carneros is a grower and producer of ultra-premium Napa Carneros sparkling wine and limited production Pinot Noirs. I’m helping them to announce their new Salon des Rêves at Domaine Carneros, accordingly the unveiling of one of wine country’s swankiest new venues. It was created as a speakeasy-style lounge, most emphatically where locals and visitors can experience luxury. Expect to enjoy oysters, caviar, ceviche, and tinned fish, in addition to the winery’s wide selection of delicious wines. This also includes local charcuterie, smoked salmon, vegan cheese and macarons.  (Okay, they got me on the macarons!)

Are you ready to drool. We just did at Domaine Carneros! And, that, my friends, is another story in the making.

 

South by Southwest France ~ Food & Wine Magazine

From Food & Wine Magazine “For our second newsletter on the wines of Southwest France, we’re taking you to Gaillac, east of Toulouse, and to the southwest, Madiran, Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh and Saint Mont. Don’t expect to recognize all the local varieties—particularly the petit manseng, gros manseng and petit courbu that might blend into Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh—the white wine of Madiran. Often presented in a sweet style, we tasted a range of dry versions that stood out as world-class whites (look for Sec on the label).

Château Laffitte Teston

2022 Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Sec Rêve d’Automne Moelleux, $23

This wine has a dynamic intensity, which is defined by ripe peach and crisp autumn apple flavors. “The background structure of tannins builds savor, to balance the underlying sweetness. Pair this with an unsweetened peach tart or a savory almond tart. It’s just completely delicious, the flavors lasting with a gentle tug of refreshment.” (12 cases imported) DB Wine, Framingham, MA

 

Hall Winery’s Ultimate Christmas Gift for Dad!

Some of you are looking for that perfect gift for dad, accordingly, couple that with the fact that he just loves Napa Valley Cabernets. Finding something that has a major “Wow Factor,” is hard to find, but dad’s been your best bud, right? Hall Winery has created the ultimate Cabernet Collection, obviously one to knocks dad’s socks right off. The gift set includes the following appellations: Mount Veeder, Diamond Mountain, Howell Mountain, and the Stags Leap. Each bottle exemplifies a unique terroir and micro climates, explicitly shaping the character and structure of these wines. Dad savors Cabernets with bold tannins, dark fruit, and a well-balanced flavor profile, just as he values your presence!

The Taste of Ambiance, Luxury Wine Cellar Designs

Al Fuentes, president of Dragon Cellars, has just released a new book called The Taste of Ambiance. Fuentes discovered a need for wine cellars being built above ground, and has built many classic examples. If you go to Dragon Cellars, you’ll see wonderful styles. In areas where underground cellars just aren’t realistic, Al builds wine cellars above ground. He imagined another alternative happening, when he reconnected with his background, by drawing upon it in aeronautics and power plant technology. His dedication has been designing and presenting innovative cellars, over the course of his career. The need for these designs is a result of rough terrain and general climate.

The Taste of Ambiance: Luxury Wine Cellar Designs is the perfect gift for all wine enthusiasts. It would also work well for interior design buffs. And, let’s not forget coffee table book lovers! Exquisite photographs showcase over seventeen years of Fuentes’ passionately created unique spaces. These spaces are beautiful and enjoyed by  celebrities, sommeliers, restaurants, and wine lovers. With holidays right around the corner, this is a beautiful and book for so many people who also love wine.

A great endorsement is written by DJ Khaled. He wrote: “When creating our custom wine cellars for our home, Al and Dragon Cellars were able to bring our vision to life.”