Badin vs. Fredericktown
Miamisburg graduation 2012
Valley View vs. Greenville
Home > Blogs > Uncorked > Archives > 2005 > November > 05 > Entry
Hijacked!
I will, on occasion, step aside from this pulpit and invite a hijacker to take over “Uncorked” for the day. No better day than today, since I am tied up attending a conference for my “other job” as education reporter. So here is an excellent posting from Patricia Vendt on …
… Champagnes and on those who produce them — and who take the time and make the effort to come to Ohio and to share them with us. Thank you Patty!
“Last week Vanguard Wines and Michael Skurnik Wines, Inc. held a tasting of all the wines from these small champagne grower producers who have been recognized in many of the wine journals including a recent Food & Wine Magazine article recognizing Laurent Champs in their Wine Families: Generation Next.
A familiar brand name champagne may buy their grapes from as many as 40 villages and are looking for a consistent style. These producers let their wines reflect the character of the soil, the vintage, and the skill of the wine maker. The vintners were charming and eager to share their wines and knowledge. Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy and Laurent Champs poured their wines at the DLM Holiday show. I noticed in a post about the DLM show, Niki agreed with my assessment of the French vintners. Didier Gimonnet from Pierre Gimonnet Arnaud Margaine from A. Margaine Alexander Lallement from Jean Lallement et Fils Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy from René Geoffroy Laurent Champs from Vilmart & Cie There were also other Champagnes from Terry Theise’s selections. Over fifty champagnes were available for tasting and it was truly a learning experience
It was a stellar opportunity to try chardonnay and pinot noir and their blends in side-by-side tastings. Appetizers were provided that turned a rose’ from a yuck to ahhhh when paired with dark chocolate. I didn’t think I cared for demi sec, a sweeter style, but when the Milan demi sec was paired with a mushroom cooked in wine stuffed with a caramelized onion confit I changed my mind.
Then there were the Special Club champagnes that represent the vintner’s best as judged by an association of twenty-six vintners. For a great champagne resource, check this Skurnik Wines Theise site.
The worst part of the afternoon was that I learned to spit those absolutely lovely champagnes.”
Tweet
Go to my facebook page and click Like to comment.
Comments
By cathy
November 6, 2005 11:18 PM | Link to this
Patty - thanks for your interesting insights! I agree, one wine (or champagne) can taste “just ok” on its own, but can truly come to life (!!) with the right foods. That is part of the intrigue that wine provides us.
By patty
November 5, 2005 11:05 PM | Link to this
Well, I agree with you in that quality price ratio is better than the “Big Houses” http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/12/16/WIG49ABV121.DTL writes about the topic with insights from Terry Theise. Great article. So did the vintner’s refer to their Bruts as “fresh”, almost all of them? Which was your favorite producer and why? And thanks for your great blog!
By jens
November 5, 2005 2:46 PM | Link to this
I just attended the same event at Pho Paris in Cincinnati. I completely agree with your remarks. Better wine at mostly less money than the “Big Houses” that produce millions of cases. What’s the catch?