Drink Up, Chow Down

Livermore Valley is one of California oldest wine regions, although still rather under the radar. Its first commercial vines were planted in 1840 and nowadays it is home to over 50 wineries. One of those, the lovely Murrieta’s Well , is a true California original. I recently had the pleasure of tasting through some of their catalog along with their winemaker Robbie Meyer and my friends at Snooth . Murrieta’s Well specializes in terroir-driven, limited production wine blends that showcase and complement the Livermore Valley terroir and its many microclimates. Its first vines were planted in 1884 with cuttings from Chateau d’Yquem (see my blog about visiting them!) and Chateau Margaux (no invite yet…) The 2017 Sauvignon Blanc was a great way to start the tasting, especially in summer. Its mouthwatering minerality coupled with its floral and even tropical fruit notes make for an elegant wine, with a lovely zing of crisp acidity. A balanced beauty for sure. It was...

Château Suduiraut After an unforgettable morning at d’Yquem and a fantastic (rich!) lunch in Sauternes, the magnificent Château Suduiraut was next on my list. Other than the great wine, seeing the château itself was my favorite part of the visit. Completely modernized by AXA since their acquisition of the property in 1992, it is a popular conference spot nowadays with its own stellar restaurant onsite. In fact, much of what is served is grown right there in their gardens. Château Suduiraut And what gardens they are! I could happily get lost with a blanket and a book (and, naturally, some Château Suduiraut and local cheese) for hours. While the late spring morning in Sauternes had been fresh and misty, by the afternoon it was hot and still — this microclimate makes the area unique, and is what ultimately brings on the glorious botrytis that makes the area so famous. They generously opened three wines for me: Castelnau de Suduiraut 2006, Sudu...

The illustrious history, the famous fans, the personal invitation! A highlight of my recent trip to Bordeaux was a visit to Château d'Yquem , recognized as one of the most superior fine wines in the world. They graciously opened their cellar doors (and bottles) for me, and it took days for me to stop smiling. The grounds are as spectacular as you’d expect – with its fairytale castle, parts of which date back over 500 years, its lush gardens, and its impeccably cared for vineyards. And its story is equally spectacular. During the Middle Ages, Château d'Yquem was owned by the King of England before passing into French hands, and finally, luxury goods conglomerate LVMH. Château d'Yquem's unique microclimate (its vineyards are at the highest point in Sauternes), famed terroir (clay and gravel over deep limestone), exceptionally low yields (all hand-picked), delicate botrytis (that magical noble rot) and meticulous winemaking ensure a qual...