Serge the Concierge

4 Reasons Why American Wine Professionals Should Attend Vinexpo 2013, 4 Numbers from Recent Study

With Vinexpo 2013 barely 2 months away, the event newsletter 'Vinexpo News' offers 4 Reasons Why American Wine Professionals Should Attend Vinexpo 2013 with 4 numbers culled from recent study.

"1) +55% : Projected increase in premium wine sales (above $10 a bottle) in the US between 2011 and 2016 
2) 100 million: number ofcases of imported wine forecasted to be consumed in the US in 2016 (an 11.5% increase over 2012) 
3) +25%: Projected increase in sparkling wine consumptionin the US between 2012 and 2016 
4) $26.8 billion: projected retail sales of still wines in the US in 2016 (an 11.4% increase vs. 2012)"

((Source: 11th Global Study on Current Trends in the International Wine & Spirits Markets AND Outlook to 2016; Vinexpo/The IWSR; January, 2013). The complete study is available for purchase.)

Organic Grappa, Vino Santo and Olive Oil from Cavalierino near Montepulciano

Midway between Montelpulciano and Pienzo, one can find Cavalierino, a producer of organic grappa and Vino Santo and organic olive oil.

If you happen to visit the area, Cavalierino also offers to host you with a number of appartments available for rent.

Booking is available online.

Green olives and green wine for Green Day # 248

Previously: CCSW, in plain English, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Another Label?

Ottolenghi Team Will Man Wine Booth at Raw Artisan Wine Fair 2013, London, May 19-20

For its 2013 edition, Raw Artisan Wine Fair partnered with Ottolenghi team who will man the Raw Wine Booth where you will be both able to sample and purchase wines that are present at Raw Fair.

In addition, "official RAW Wine shop will launch on the Ottolenghi webstore mid-April and run through to the end of May. Giving wine fans a preview of what’s on offer at the show, the online store will stock a wide selection of approximately 30 wines from the show’s exhibitors."

A producer seeking UK representation at fair is Domaine Rouge Bleu (Rhone) led by Caroline Jones

Raw Artisan Wine Fair 2013 takes place in London on May 19 and 20.

Chill our White Bordeaux Gently, Chateau Carbonnieux Request

Americans tend to chill their white wines too much, hence the request from Chateau Carbonnieux to serve his white Bordeaux 'slightly chilled', accent on slightly.

Photo taken at Bordeaux tasting in January 2011.

Verdad Dry Grenache Rose and Elyse 'Le Corbeau' Captured Side by Side at Hospice du Rhone 2011

While combing though the hundreds of photos taken over past 2 years, i found this image of Verdad Grenache Rose (2010) coming from same home as Qupe and Elyse 'Le Corbeau' tasted and captured side by side during my first (and so far only) visit to Hospice du Rhone (Paso Robles) event in 2011.

Verdad winery notes: "Rosé is 100% Grenache grown at our Demeter certified biodynamic vineyard in Edna Valley.

As for Elyse 'Le Corbeau' 2007, it is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10 % Syrah in Chateauneuf du Pape style.

CCSW, in plain English, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Another Label?

It is hard to keep track of all the organic, sustainable, fair trade stamps of approval-accreditations.

Are you familiar with CCSW? In plain English it means Certified California Sustainable Winegrowin, a mouthful.

On a less technical side, April 2013 is Down to Earth Month for California wineries.

A dedicated site shares Top 10 Reasons California Wines are an Eco-Friendly choice.

I will let you be the judge(s).

I discovered CCSW label by way of The Vegan Wine who sells wines produced without use of any animal products.

Getting Down to Earth for Green Day # 247

Previously: Besides Dressing like a Banana, What Can You Do in March? Equal Exchange Banana Month

Ante, Etna Upside Down, Aromatic Sicilian White Blend of Carricante, Minnella, Greganico

Giving a second (or third) look at wines that got my attention at Slow Wine Guide 2013 tasting in New York in January, I realized that a few whites from Sicily were amongst them and that I had failed to mention them.

Let me start with Ante 2010 from I Custodi delle vigne dell'Etna in Castiglione di Sicilia, mostly carricante (70%) with balance made of minnella and greganico, all native varieties, aromatic yet crisp, winemaker calls Ante the son of the volcano.

Next Bianco Pomice 2010 from Tenuta di Castellaro on slopes of Lipari in Aeolian islands whose wines all are named after stones.

The Pomice is 60% Malvasia delle Lipari and 30% Carricante with 10% balance from unnamed local varieties. Floral with good acidity, winemaker suggested clams, oysters and especially grilled sea scallops as perfect food companions.

A toast to Sicily's surprising whites

White / Orange Rkatsiteli 'Lagvini', Organic Kveri Wine from Kakheti, Vegan and Vegetarian Friendly

Not content with managing a slew of projects from TV Show to Raw Fair (organic wine festival in London), master of wine Isabelle Legeron also known as That Crazy French Woman in past few months launched Lagvini, an organic Kveri wine made with organic Rkatsiteli grapes in Kakheti, eastern Georgia.

This white/orange wine is a collaboration between Isabelle and Eko Glonti.

Press release describes Rkasiteli 'Lagvini' as "a natural, orange wine, fermented and aged in a kvevri - traditional, Georgian clay pots buried deep underground. This ancient winemaking method, from 6000 BC, is the oldest in the world."

It is vegan and vegetarian friendly.

The Lagvaniri joint venture also offers a red wine, 2011 Saperavi "Gvino" (100% Saperavi)

Both wines are available through Dynamic Wines in the UK.

Kerner, Lagrein, 20 Alto Adige Wineries April Visit to Denver, Washington D.C and New York, No Hay Bath

20 something Alto Adige wineries come to Denver (Monday 22), Washington D.C (Wednesday 24) and finally New York (Thursday 25) in April for Alto Adige Wines 'Discover Italian Wines at Their Peak' Grand Tasting Tour 2013.

Since it is a trade and media only event, it takes place in the afternoon. It remains to be seen whether my concierge work schedule will allow me to attend.

Winery Line Up in New York is:

Abbazia di Novacella
Cantina Andriano
Bolzano Winery
Cantina Valle Isarco
Kaltern Caldaro
Castelfeder
Colterenzio
Cortaccia Winery
Elena Walch
Erste + Neue
Franz Haas Winery
Lahnhof
Tenuta Lentsch
Manincor
Nals Margreid
Castel Sallegg
Cantina Produttori
San Michele Appiano
St. Pauls Winery
Cantina Terlano
Tiefenbrunner
Tramin
Viticoltori Alto Adige
Peter Zemmer

I don't think a hay bath is part of the offerings.

I have to thank Ines Giovanett of Castelfeder, one of the wineries present, for sending me invitation to attend.

Among Castelfeder white wines is Kerner Lahn, 100 % Kerner (a cross between Trollinger and Riesling) produced in South Tyrol since 1970's.

If you are a red wine drinker, have you tried a Lagrein?

If I can make it to New York tasting, I will be happy to see Elena Walch and Peter Zemmer again.

Burgundy Wines Pair Up with Greek, Indian, Japanese and Italian Menus, NY, April 18

Burgundy wines pair up with Greek, Indian, Japanese and Italian menus in New York on April 18, 2013.

Even though this initiative from BIVB (Bureau Interprofessionel des Vins de Bourgogne, Burgundy Wine Board) is limited to a few food, wine and lifestyle scribes, I find it stimulating for palate and imagination.

I wonder which Burgundy wine they would pair with Skewered Pumpkin Recipe from India Cookbook or Namasu, Sweet Vinegared Daikon and Carrots from Japanese Farm Food to name two.

If you are keen on exploring the region's producers, Bergman's Bourgogne is one of the avenues I recommend.

I discovered newcomers Domaine La Croix Montjoie from Vezelay and its Voluptueuse (above) via Bergman's Bourgogne.