03 Mar The Sipping Point Radio – 3/3: Explore French Wine
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Sips of the Week
Pacale Bernasse, Owner French Wine Explorers, joined us for to taste some great French wines and tips for wine lovers make when booking a wine vacation. Pascale Bernasse has been named one of the Top 133 Travel Specialists in the world by Condé Nast Traveler. French Wine Explorers offers guests not just vacations, but authentic luxury experiences in France’s famed wine regions. 1. Hubert Brochard Sancerre 2010, Loire Valley, France, $27.99 Winemaker’s Notes: VINEYARD: Our vineyard of Sancerre Blanc is very parcelled out. It is located on the best hills of the villages of Chavignol, Sainte Gemme, Ménétréol, Amigny, Thauvenay and Sancerre. GRAPE VARIETIES: 100 % Sauvignon from vines that are 30 years old on average. SOIL: Depending on the hillsides: 40 % limestone, 30 % flint, 30 % clay. The Sancerre Blanc is a winethat can be kept for roughly 5 years. It is dry, fruity, and best enjoyed chilled. SERVE WITH: It is ideal with seafood, fish in sauces, and with certain cheeses, especially the Crottin de Chavignol goat’s cheese. 2. Domaine Du Bois de Saint-Jean Cotes Du Rhone Red, Rhone Valley, France $12.99 Winemaker’s Notes: Grape variety: 50 % Grenache, 30% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, 5% Carignan Wine-making: Clusters are taken off; vines are put in thermo-regulated vats and processed separately. There is constant control of temperature, and vats are daily emptied and refilled. Then they are put together. Wine production is lasting a year, and then wine is being bottled. Wine is being bottled at the domain. Tasting: Colour is deep dark red. Flavours are made of ripe fruits and a spicy hint. Tannins are present and blended. With its fruity texture, this Côtes du Rhône can be served immediately without preservation. This wine can be served with red or white meat, simply elaborated dishes and cheese… All “The Sips of the Week” are of course available at Wells Discount Liquors in Baltimore check them out at www.WellsWine.com
Wine Sandwich
Breeze Restaurant’s Executive Chef Olivier Senoussaoui joined us to talk about food and wine Pairing Tips and his role at the 2012 Annapolis Food & Wine Festival. Executive Chef Olivier Senoussaoui developed his passion for food at a very early age. He attended the Chamber of Commerce Culinary School in France when he was just 15, and he earned degrees in both culinary and pastry. Chef Olivier has been Executive Chef at Loews Annapolis Hotel since 2008, where he oversees BREEZE Restaurant, banquets and in-room dining. He has earned recognition by What’s Up! Annapolis Magazine as Best Chef in the Annapolis dining scene.
Wine and Dine with Laurie & Michael:
In partnership with Crystal Cruises and French Wine Explorers, Michael and I will be hosting a group during the Romancing the Riviera Cruise July 25-August 6, 2012 on board the breathtaking Crystal Serenity. We’ll sail our way from Lisbon to Rome with stops in Lisbon, Gibraltar, Barcelona Palomos, Cannes, Monte Carlo, Florence and Rome. Along the way we’ll have exclusive activities for our group that center on our shared love of food and wine. Crystal Cruises is now an all inclusive cruise ship which means your fare includes everything–food, wine, cabin and YES, wine and alcohol are included!! Learn more by clicking here
Tune in next week:
The premiere of Mad Men season 5 is in just a few weeks so next week is our Mad Men episode! Doug Atwell of Rye Bar in Fells Point will join us to mix up some cocktails form the Mad Men era and Judy Gelman author of The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook will tell us how to cook like Mad Men too.