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The Enduring Power of California’s Old-Vine Field Blends
United States: California, featured, Fellowship
, Aug 2021
My discovery of Zinfandel, and more specifically its role in California’s old-vine field blends, came late in my wine education. The word ‘discovery,’ of course, is an overstatement; I had tasted Zinfandel before and associated a very specific set of characteristics with it: big, high-octane, low to medium quality - or sweet and pink. I thought this description was also well-supported by my own research; I had sampled many of the grape’s defining wines and found those views to be fairly accurate. But this was different...
Finding Familiarity When Things Are Far From Normal
featured, Fellowship
, Apr 2020
A few weeks ago, before the storm (whichever one comes to mind for you when you hear that word—for me, it’s partly the days-long bouts of rain here in Santa Barbara, but mostly the other, bigger storm: the hunker-down-and-stay-a-while one), my dad came to town. He drove two hours to see me, to hug me, to take me out to dinner. I hadn’t seen him in weeks. For me, it felt like a long time. Even before everything turned a little topsy-turvy, and going a day without hearing from him made me extra clingy.
Equal Parts Story and Substance
featured, Fellowship
, Sep 2019
Brenna Ritchey is the recipient of the 2018 Vinous Young Writer Fellowship. In her winning essay, Brenna reflects on the "supposed generational gap between older wine-drinkers and young people", while considering how millennials are "rewriting the rules of the game, dismantling the very structures that have schooled us in how to drink and appreciate wine, and rebuilding them from the vineyard up."
Tuscany’s Mysterious Self-Making Vin Santo
featured, Italy: Tuscany, Fellowship
, Mar 2016
Up until recently Vin Santo was a rather modest beverage, kept by its producers to share among their friends, rarely ever seeking a place on commercial shelves. Today, Tuscany opens its doors to the rest of the world to taste its treasured sweet wine.
On Music and Wine
featured, Fellowship
, Feb 2016
At a recent masterclass, mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe explained that a singer, much like a wine drinker, must explore the way the text feels on the palate. Awestruck by this notion, Bryce Wiatrak, Vinous Fellowship winner for 2015, was inspired to explore the commonalities and joy of music and wine.
Producer Profile: Le Clos du Caillou
Fellowship, France: Rhône & Beaujolais
, Aug 2015
Le Clos du Caillou is located in Courthézon, on the eastern border of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. The Pouizin family acquired the property in 1956 and subsequently expanded the vineyards. Today, the estate is run by Sylvie Vacheron, with winemaker Bruno Gaspard and enologist Philippe Cambie.
Producer Profile: Domaine Roger Sabon
Fellowship, France: Rhône & Beaujolais
, Aug 2015
Domaine Roger Sabon is a good example of a family-run estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Roger Sabon founded the domaine as we know it today in 1952, following in the footsteps of his father, Séraphin Sabon, who created Clos Mont-Olivet twenty years before.
Producer Profile: Domaine de la Biscarelle
Fellowship, France: Rhône & Beaujolais
, Aug 2015
Domaine de la Biscarelle is located in Grès, which lies in the northern sector of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. Gérard Bouyer founded La Biscarelle in 1984, after leaving his family’s négociant business to start his own venture. In January 2009, Gérard’s daughter and son-in-law, Christelle and Jérôme Grieco, took over the estate.
Producer Profile: Domaine de Cristia
Fellowship, France: Rhône & Beaujolais
, Jun 2015
Domaine de Cristia is located in Courthézon, east of the town of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, just a few steps away from Domaine de la Janasse. Etienne Grangeon established the estate in 1942 with just 2 hectares of Grenache vineyards.
Producer Profile: Domaine de La Janasse
featured, Fellowship, France: Rhône & Beaujolais
, Feb 2015
Domaine de la Janasse is a located in Courthézon, just north of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Aimé Sabon took over vineyards belonging to his father and grandfather in 1967 upon completing his military service. In 1973, Sabon founded Domaine de La Janasse, which he ran until 1991, when his son Christophe, a graduate of the oenological school in Beaune, took over the family estate. Today, the domaine is managed by Christophe Sabon and his sister, Isabelle.