I was in Napa 2 weeks ago and I wanted to share this adventure. Being a member of the Sales Team of St Supery Estate Vineyards & Winery gives me opportunities to live such wonderful experiences. It also allows me to continue my discoveries of America.

I grew up in a Vineyard in France, in Bordeaux; I know the beauty of living in such area surrounded by vines and forest. Dollarhide is a 1,500 acre property: 1/3 panted on vines and the rest remain wild and natural. The entire sales team and I went around the Dollarhide leaded by Michael Scholz, our Winemaker, and Josh Anstey, our Vineyards Manager.

I was amazed about the relation between Michael and Josh; they just complete each other. Generally speaking we talk a lot about how the work in the Vineyard is important and also the work of the Winemaker. What we tend to forgot is the importance of having strong connections between the Vineyards and the winemaking. Even during the visit Michael and Josh were talking together about this or this parcel which could be good for making such wine next year… When they work together they kind of “become only one men”. It explains why they excel in making outstanding juices and wines!

I have been to Dollarhide before; however I have never been to the highest point of it, around 2,400 feets above see level. How is that? Spectacular!!! I had an overview of the entire Vineyard with its 7 lakes and mostly planted with Bordeaux grapes varieties…. I closed my eyes and was already home: the smell, the wind and the noises from the natural environment brought me directly from California to Bordeaux. It was a short but sensational travel! OK let me share a video with you…

Then it was time for a lunch in the middle of the vineyards and of course with a glass of our best St Supery red: Dollarhide Cabernet Sauvignon…. Thanks to the entire St Supery team it was a wonderful exeprience.

Cheers my friends

Summer is still here so let’s enjoy a yumi summer cocktail…. Supertini

Let’s make a wine-based cocktail. Which one should I use? The idea of Moscato came to me directly as it is fruity, fresh, light and a tiny sweet. It will be perfect for my cocktail. I am sure you can use different spirits with the Mosacto; dark rum would perfectly go with the apricots and pear notes of the St Supery Moscato. However my choice went to Vodka. Let me give you the recipe:

• 1 part of Vodka
• 3 parts of Moscato, St Supery Moscato recommended
• 2 regular lemon twists
• Ice

Shake it and pour it into your cocktail glass. The acidity of the lime will cut the sweetness of the Moscato without removing all the flavors of the wine. It is refreshing and so delicious. I did a In-store tasting with my Supertini last weekend and had a huge success.

Now you have everything in hand to make your own Supertini, enjoy!!!

I am just back from a tasting in Brooklyn and it is Friday night, what’s happen? Friday night used to be for my famiy and I: The food discovery. We used to make food from all over the world. The funny part, I just had my parents on the phone today and they were still doing it. They were having their Japanese night with many rough fishes and I can tell you they love that!!! Of course with a glass of Sauvignon blanc

For me it will be more simple and so delicious…… let me give you a description:

A Pâté made by my parents: porc meat a bit spicy; with a peace of bread it is unbelievable. You should come over haha

On my way back home I stopped by my grocery store and bought some cheeses:

• 4 Years Old Gouda: bit creamy and salty in the same time with beautiful flavors in the finish
• Blue cheese: not too strong; the non moderation is recommended :p
• Saint Albrey if you like strong cheese you should go for that. Creamy with its own character, strong!!!! Sensible palet it is not for you

Sometimes the advantage to come back from an In-store tasting is that you can have few samples. I had a successful tasting in Brooklyn with my Rhone Valley wines from France and also with my St Supery wines from Napa Valley, CA. I brought back the St Supery Cabernet Sauvignon 2005. Let me tell you something: The wine by itself is already super good, but with cheeses and a pâté from home arhhhhhhh I do not want anything else. Well let’s have some old school rock music…. Dire Strait, Police, Journey “don’t stop beleive in” (love this song).

Rock, wine & cheeses. We sometimes try to make complicate dinner to impress friends; but this one is the best ever!!!!! A least it makes a French guy SUPER happy in NYC tonight :-)

Ho by the way DO NOT LEAVE your Saint Albrey alone in the fridge: Wrap it well!!! It could avoid you some funny surprise when you will open the fridge hehehe bad smell!!!!!!!!!

As my dear friend Georges would say: “What else?”

Cheers my friends

Happy Bastille Day!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday all the French people celebrated the French Independence Day. We call it Bastille Day: do you know why? In 1789 we had a big revolution in France. At this time we were under a Monarchy and the King was Louis XVI. One of the symbol of the French Monarchy was “La Bastille”; famous prison located in Paris.

During the French revolution, the people took “La Bastille” to the King and it was the end of the Monarchy.  The revolution gave the power to the people and the 1st Republic has been created!! In July 14th 1789 is borned the French Republic and we celebrate since this Bastille Day.

This year I wanted to make something original for Bastille Day. In collaboration with the restaurant Le Bateau Ivre, located on 51st Street between 2nd & 3rd in NYC, we decided to celebrate Bastille Day under the Corsican specialities!!! Where is Corsica? Small Island in the South of France located in the Mediterranean Sea. The most famous person from Corsica is…….. Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Skalli family owns a Vineyard , 550 acres, in the North East of the Island.  Robert Skalli and his family developed the vineyard year after year since the 60′ in repecting their environment (biodiveristy & land). It is such a beautiful island.

25 acres of the vineyard is reserved for the production of one of the finest Corsican wines: “Clos Poggiale” white and red. I poured these 2 wines yesterday at Le Bateau Ivre and it was a great success.

The Clos Poggiale white is a 100% Vermentino, elegant, well balanced with a nice acidity and minerality. It goes perfectly with all kind of sea food…. excellent we had Oysters yesterday

The Clos Poggiale red is a blend of Syrah and Niellucio; 50/50. Niellucio is known in Italie as Sangiovese. We actually can find some similarities between my Clos Poggiale red and some famous red Italian wine as Chianti: nice fruits and spice, supple and elegant. The Syrah gives a very nice colour to the wine and a beautiful spiceness. A great pairing would be lamb or some prosciutto ;)

I had the chance yesterday to share my Clos Poggiale white and red with friends, coworker, clients o the restaurant, managers and sales people from my NY distributor. We had such a great time for Bastille Day! To continue on the Corsican specialities we shared some cheeses and charcuterie, Mhmmmmm delicious. We also had the chance to taste few beers from Corsica and it was a great surprise. The Colombar and Pietra were very yumi: nice flavors, refreshing. I recommend them.

Bastille Day at Le Bateau Ivre was excellent!!! Another great event in NYC. When is the next one?

Join me for the “Bastille Day” tasting at Red White & Bubbly in Brooklyn!!! I know Bastille Day is July 14th, but we make it earlier in Brooklyn

Location: RWB is located in the heart of Park Slope on 5th Avenue just off Union Street

211-213 5th avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215

718-636-WINE (9463)

Hours: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Topic: French wines tasting. 5 or 6 different producers will let you taste their wines.

I will be part of it, ready to let you discover my wines from the South of France. Sounds like a great Saturday afternoon!!! See you tomorrow ;-) 

Stay around as another event is coming in Manhattan on July 14th…