Domaine Select Wine Estates - News

	06/29/2010 DSWE at Aspen's Food & Wine Classic Classic Aspen The 28th Annual Aspen Food and Wine Classic, one of the most important food and wine events in the U.S., hosting top chefs and key wine and spirit media from across the country, was a tremendous success for DSWE and the exceptional producers who participated in the festival held June 18-20, 2010. Highlights... Located in the center of Aspen, the Grand Tasting Pavilion commanded center stage from Friday morning through Sunday afternoon. During the grand tastings, thousands of savvy consumers, members of the restaurant industry, retailers and press had the opportunity to experience our collection of fine wines, artisanal spirits and an impressive array of cocktails. DSWE participating wineries included Alfred Gratien presented by brand ambassador Edwige Riou, Chateau de la Tuilerie presented by president and owner Cyril Comte, Fantinel and La Roncaia presented by president Marco Fantinel, Fontanafredda presented by Bernie Sun, James Beard winner and sommelier for the Jean Georges group, Le Macchiole presented by owner Cinzia Merli, Movia presented by winemaker and proprietor Ales Kristancic, and Quattro Mani and Velenosi presented by Tiziana Forni. SPARKLING SMACKDOWN Alfred Gratien Brut Classique NV stole the show during Anthony Giglio’s "Sparkling Smackdown" seminar. Gratien's Champagne was definitely the crowd favorite on both days of this seminar. Anthony Giglio is a journalist, sommelier, educator and author who has written several books, including Food & Wine’s Wine Guide 2009 and 2010 (he’s currently tasting his way through 2011), the annual guide to 1,100 wines from around the globe. He also wrote Cocktails in New York and several editions of the enormously popular Mr. Boston Official Bartender’s Guide. Giglio has a reputation that borders on unique for a wine expert. He’s funny and entertaining, and he never indulges in snobbery or intimidation. Throughout his career, he has attracted countless fans and admirers nationally, all of whom appreciate his sense of humor as much as they do his insight and his perspective, which is that wine is best regarded as a pleasure, not a problem. Giglio is also an award-winning contributor to numerous publications, including Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, New York Magazine, Esquire, Details, Robb Report, Worth and Parade. WINES FROM THE EDGE During the “Wines from the Edge” seminar Paul Grieco called the featured Movia Lunar 2007 "one of the most natural wines he has ever tasted". "It is completely different from any other white wine you will ever try. It just dances around in the mouth. Absolutely extraordinary. It's the kind of wine that can't help but make you think, 'How do they make this?'" Grieco referred to the Movia selection as a whole as "cool juice". Movia winemaker and proprietor Ales Kristancic joined Grieco for the second seminar to share his philosophy and inspiration for his wines. Also included in the seminar “Wines from the Edge”, was the much anticipated Gravner Ribolla 2003. For many this was the long-awaited, first chance to ever taste Gravner wines. The Ribolla 2003 delivered a great entrée into Josko’s mastery of working with anfora, styled in the ancient manner that reflects thousands of years of winemaking history. Paul Grieco is the owner of several highly-acclaimed restaurants including Hearth Restaurant, Terroir and he opened Insieme with Marco Canora. Hearth earned a glowing two-star review from the The New York Times and continues to receive praise for Paul’s expansive and thoughtful wine list. Food & Wine awarded Insieme Best New Wine List of 2008. Paul’s singular approach has also earned him a spot on Wine & Spirits’ recent list of Wine Revolutionaries. GUIDE TO THE GREATS Anthony Giglio led the discussion “Guide to the Greats” featuring Massolino-Vigna Rionda Barolo Margheria 2005. And on the other side of the tent, David Lynch led the seminar “The Case for Chianti” that featured Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico 2005. David's wit and passion shine through every time he gets in front of a crowd. Lynch provided the enthusiastic listeners with a terrific historical perspective of Chianti Classico and shared lots of stories. For Castell'in Villa, the first wine in the flight, David touched on the incredible purity of having a Chianti Classico with 100% sangiovese, using more traditional wine making and the use of large casks for maturation rather than more modern techniques. David Lynch is a writer and sommelier whose award winning book Vino Italiano is the Italian Wine Lover’s book of choice. He is also the beverage director of San Francisco’s Michelin-starred Quince Restaurant. Previously he was the general manager and wine director of The John Dory, in NYC, and spent seven years as the wine director and general manager of New York’s famed Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca. In addition to his restaurant work, David remains active as a writer, publishing articles on wine and food in publications such as Food & Wine and GQ. Before Babbo, David was a senior editor at Wine & Spirits, where he won a James Beard Journalism Award for magazine writing. In 2000, he left the magazine to travel in Italy, an experience that not only spawned the IACP Award—winning book Vino-Italiano, but launched a new career—that of a sommelier, working for Vino-Italiano with co-author Joe Bastianich and chef Mario Batali. During his tenure, David grew Babbo’s wine program into one of the nation’s best, winning a 2004 James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine Service. He and Bastianich published the Vino Italiano Buying Guide in 2004 and published a revised edition in August 2008. In addition to opening The John Dory in the fall of 2008, David celebrated the release of his latest book, the satirical Wine Snob’s Dictionary, co-authored with David Kamp. WINE MYTHS BUSTED Wurtz 2009 Riesling Bag in Box defied expectations at the “Wine Myths Busted” seminar presented by Mark Oldman. The crowd was in awe at the delicate nature of this Riesling served "in a bag" -- exceeding quality standards for boxed wine. Passionate about helping wine enthusiasts jostle the jaded and slay the snooty, Mark Oldman is one of the country’s leading wine educators. Mars is the author of the best-selling Oldman’s Guide to Outstanding Wine, which won the Duboeuf Best Wine Book Award. His most recent book, Oldman’s Brave New World of Wine, plots a course to that holy grail of wine lovers: insider wines of moderate cost and maximum appeal. Mark is also lead judge in the PGS television series The Winemakers and contributes to top lifestyle publications. A lifelong advocate for consumer education, Mark is a founding partner of the career portal vault.com and holds three degrees from Stanford University, where he is a trustee emeritus. THE POWER OF POINTS Casa Marin’s 2006 Pinot Noir Lo Abarca was showcased in “The Power of Points” seminar hosted by Ray Isle. Deputy wine editor of Food & Wine, Ray Isle writes the monthly Tasting Room recommendation column as well as regular feature articles on wine, beer and spirits. In addition, he writes a blog on foodandwine.com, also called Tasting Room. Former managing editor of Wine & Spirits, he has published articles about wine, food and spirits in a wide range of publications, including Food & Wine, Wine & Spirits, the Washington Post, Martha Stewart Living and Gastronomica, and he has been nominated for a James Beard Award. Ray speaks regularly on wine and wine-related subjects at events, and is a frequent guest on programs including NBC’s Today, CBS’s The Early Show, Good Morning America and NPR’s All Things Considered. Outside of the festival, the DSWE group joined journalists, customers, collectors and friends from across the country for the Welcome Reception at the St. Regis Hotel, The Little Nell Industry Kickoff Party on Thursday night, and fantastic meals paired with exceptional wines and cocktails at The Little Nell and The Little Red Haus throughout the rest of the weekend. During the Little Nell Industry Kickoff Party on Thursday night, IWM Cellars poured DSWE wines including Fontanafredda Barolo Chinato NV, COS Pithos 2008, Murgo Brut Rose 2007 and Movia Lunar 2007 to the crowds who had descended upon Aspen for the Food & Wine Classic. On Friday night at the Little Nell, an American Express by Invite Only® Dinner hosted by Piero Incisa Della Rocchetta and Sergio Esposito featured Soldera, Sassicaia, and Le Macchiole along with an exquisite selection of DSWE wines including Alfred Gratien Brut Classique NV, Movia Lunar 2007 and Fontanafredda Barolo Chinato NV. Quattro Mani Franciacorta Brut and Primaterra Prosecco Frizzante made their US debut Saturday night during a dinner party hosted by DSWE. Held at the Little Red Haus in Aspen, Chef Matteo Jansen (of Matteo and Rada) wowed guests with his exquisite cuisine paired with DSWE wines. Along with the new bubbles, guests also enjoyed Alfred Gratien Brut Classique served from magnums, Movia Puro Rosé, Velenosi Passerina Brut, Chateau de la Tuilerie Cuvée Eole Blanc, Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga Volumi Bollati and Velenosi Ludi served from magnums. On Saturday night, DSWE, IWM Cellars and the Little Nell co-hosted another sold out dinner -- Five Chefs and Five Winemakers from Around The World Take on American Waygu. Guests were among the first to experience 100% pure bred grass-fed Waygu from the US. Placed in the hands of five distinguished chefs and paired with five winemakers from around the world and their wines, this was a truly special event. The evening included a tasting of more than ten different wines from Alfred Gratien’s prestige cuvee to Movia’s undisgorged Puro Rose to a selection Fontanafredda Barolo and the extremely rare bottlings from Le Macchiole and La Roncaia. Featured wines: Alfred Gratien Cuvee Paradis Brut NV, Movia Puro Rose 2002, Movia Pinot Nero 2004, Fontanafredda Barolo La Rosa 2001, Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga 2005, Le Macchiole Scrio 2005, Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso 2006, La Roncaia Picolit 2006 and La Roncaia Ramandolo 2006. Participating DSWE Producers: Alfred Gratien Château de la Tuilerie Fantinel Fontanafredda Le Macchiole La Roncaia Movia Quattro Mani Velenosi For more information, please visit www.foodandwine.com. Back

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