AnsoniaWinesBlog

Setting up a shot for the Ansonia #summerguide. Thanks to...

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:35:21 -0400

Setting up a shot for the Ansonia #summerguide. Thanks to @pmurphy02130 for the recommendations. #nottheworstpartofmyjob

Jove (or Jupiter) is pictured above looking like a boss on the...

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:51:00 -0400

Jove (or Jupiter) is pictured above looking like a boss on the ceiling of a room in the Louvre.

Today’s post from Ansonia Wines is the about the grape named for the “Blood of Jove”: Sangiovese.

Some words on two of our favorite roasters.

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:06:58 -0400

Some words on two of our favorite roasters.

“Champagne and crémant are both made using the méthode...

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:37:10 -0400

“Champagne and crémant are both made using the méthode traditionnelle (known as the méthode champenoise until the Champenois called in their lawyers). The process involves two fermentations: first in regular vats or barrels, and then a second in bottle under cork. The CO2 produced in the second fermentation can’t escape the bottle, and is dissolved into the wine.”

Learn more in today’s post at AnsoniaWines.com: “The Other French Bubbles.”

Scenes from Saturday evening’s tasting in the South End,...

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:24:00 -0400

Scenes from Saturday evening’s tasting in the South End, Boston.

Photo credits: @ansoniawines, @frenchoaktv, @haleyrosepr, @lisa_decanio, @edallos87, @smunf, @jacki_mo

Will Lyons on Chianti Classicos. It is this varied landscape...

Mon, 13 May 2013 07:31:00 -0400

Will Lyons on Chianti Classicos.

It is this varied landscape that wine importer David Berry Green says makes the case for further delineation. He argues that the nine villages of Chianti Classico—Greve, Panzano, Radda, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Poggibonsi, Gaiole, Barberino, San Casciano and Castellina—each impart their own specific characteristics on the wine.

We’re thrilled with our young-vine Chianti from Poggerino on Radda - stay tuned for Poggerino’s Chianti Classico next week.

March 2013

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:05:03 -0400

March 2013

NYT Recipe: Eggplant Wraps Try this with the white Bordeaux from...

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:01:00 -0400

NYT Recipe: Eggplant Wraps

Try this with the white Bordeaux from today’s offer: Lehoul Graves blanc 2011.

Ansonia Post 5/9: “Sauvignon Blanc, White Bordeaux”

Somm - Movie Trailers - iTunes

Wed, 08 May 2013 06:47:24 -0400

Somm - Movie Trailers - iTunes:

SOMM takes the viewer on a humorous, emotional and illuminating look into a mysterious world—the Court of Master Sommeliers and the massively intimidating Master Sommelier Exam. The Court of Master Sommeliers is one of the world’s most prestigious, secretive, and exclusive organizations. Since its inception almost 40 years ago, less than 200 candidates have reached the exalted Master level. The exam covers literally every nuance of the world of wine, spirits and cigars. Those who have passed have put at risk their personal lives, their well-being, and often their sanity to pull it off. Shrouded in secrecy, access to the Court Of Master Sommeliers has always been strictly regulated, and cameras have never been allowed anywhere near the exam, until now. How much do you think you know about wine? SOMM will make you think again.

Glad we stayed on the supply-side of this equation.

We haven’t had to do a green harvest since 2002 – we...

Tue, 07 May 2013 06:00:54 -0400

We haven’t had to do a green harvest since 2002 – we don’t need to because the vines are in balance,” he said.

Jacques Devauges of the Domaine de l’Arlot commenting on how biodynamics have thrust Burgundy into a “golden age.”

Chablis Embraces Organics

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:08:55 -0400

Chablis Embraces Organics:

Chablis is embracing organic viticultural practices as a new generation of growers attempts to protect the region’s valuable soils.

Domaine Gautheron’s “Cuvée Emeraude” (“Emerald”) is an example of this move towards organics, and the domaine’s first organic cuvée. We hope this trend continues - Emeraude has become one of our favorites.

Friday Evening Grassroots Tasting. Notes: Chilled 2010 Juliénas...

Sun, 05 May 2013 17:55:26 -0400

Friday Evening Grassroots Tasting.

Notes: Chilled 2010 Juliénas a beautifully refreshing red. 2011 Chablis Emeraude, Gautheron’s organic wine, has added complexity. Saint Clair Crozes-Hermitage is magnificent, so spiced (nutmeg, black pepper) it might be mulled.

Why Are So Many Good Wines Underrated? | Drinking Out Loud | News & Features | Wine Spectator

Fri, 03 May 2013 09:40:08 -0400

Why Are So Many Good Wines Underrated? | Drinking Out Loud | News & Features | Wine Spectator:

Wine Spectator columnist Matt Kramer explains that “getting” wine involves much more than liking it: It requires a sense of adventure, rapt attention and perseverance.

We feel you, Matt. And if you’re looking for good Muscadet, stay tuned. (Make sure you’re on our list to receive it.)

A Compelling Gamay to Accompany an Omelet

Thu, 02 May 2013 11:08:17 -0400

A Compelling Gamay to Accompany an Omelet:

This combination is about comfort and beauty.

Eric Asimov reminds us that sometimes memory and context contribute more to a wine pairing than science.

We’re pleased to release the most recent issue of our...

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:06:00 -0400

We’re pleased to release the most recent issue of our Futures Program. Futures offers the chance to purchase wines at near-wholesale prices.

The April Issue features a wide range of wines, from summertime rosés and crisp whites, to 2010 grand cru red Burgundy. This issue covers eight winemakers from four different regions, including an exciting new domaine in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

April Futures Issue

Photos from our tasting at the Cosmos Club last...

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:56:59 -0400

Photos from our tasting at the Cosmos Club last month.

Interested in doing a tasting of your own? Let us know: tom [at] ansoniawines.com

DC Chillin. (at Cosmos Club)

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:09:09 -0400

DC Chillin. (at Cosmos Club)

Paris, France (23:33 GMT+1) Casual morning in a gite in...

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:36:52 -0400

Paris, France (23:33 GMT+1)

Casual morning in a gite in Westhalten. Morning tasting in Dambach - lovely, easy-drinking wines for summer. Meanwhile snow continues to fall. Drop our car and grab a bite to eat in Strasbourg. TGV to Paris, dinner in the Marais near the Place des Voges - a final magret de canard. Flight tomorrow back to the states: emails and deliveries await. Warm weather wines are just around the corner. A bientôt!

TMW
Ansonia Wines

Westhalten, France (20:41 GMT+1) Morning tasting in Rudesheim,...

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:52:04 -0400

Westhalten, France (20:41 GMT+1)

Morning tasting in Rudesheim, as snow starts to pick up. Over hour-long tasting of crisp, lovely Rheingau Rieslings, two more inches accumulate. With 30ish foot visibility and no plows in sight, we pull off the road and get stuck on an off ramp. We fishtail and push our way back onto the road, cancel our afternoon tastings, get stuck again on a four-lane, and finally head for the Alsace. Six hours and two Toblerones later we roll into Westhalten to friendly faces. An early evening tasting - fantastic wines, even better than usual - and a quick pause. Then dinner in Rouffach - foie gras, St. Pierre (John Dory), and mirabelle eau-de-vie highlight an exceptional dinner. Alsace tomorrow, then Paris.

Rudesheim, Germany (19:13 GMT+1) Sunday morning we leave Beaune;...

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:27:54 -0400

Rudesheim, Germany (19:13 GMT+1)

Sunday morning we leave Beaune; drive past Nancy, through Luxembourg, and into Germany. We trace the Mosel river past impossibly steep slate slopes through drizzling rain as the temperature drops. Arrive in Bernkastel-Kues, taste through samples from Nahe and Rheingau. Schnitzel and beer for dinner.

Monday morning is cold and damp. Substantial German breakfast in our hotel, then two morning tastings along the Mosel. Wines here are only Riesling: bursting with acidity, orange, honeysuckle, smoke, apple, petrol, salinity. A fascinating range of sweetness, acidity, and interplay between the two.

Quick lunch and another Mosel tasting with a promising young winemaker, and it begins to snow. Drive overland from the Mosel Valley to the Rhein Valley, through snowy forest and countryside. Ferry across the Rhein to Lorch, for the day’s final tasting of stony, bright, very fresh Riesling. Dinner tonight in Rudesheim; four more Rheingau weingute tomorrow, then the Alsace.