Open that Bottle!

Open That Bottle Night is February 24th! 

While maybe not as well-known of a holiday as "National Margarita Day" (which was also this week, February 22. If you didn't celebrate, belated celebrations are always acceptable!), Open That Bottle Night will soon become one of your favorite nights of the year. 

Dorothy J. Gaiter, author of The Wall Street Journal's wine column, "Tastings," from 1998 to 2010  created  the annual "Open That Bottle Night" celebration of wine and friendship. 

In her words, "John and I invented Open That Bottle Night to provide an impetus for people to enjoy a wine they had been keeping for a special occasion that never arrived. Weddings, births, anniversaries, all manner of special milestones had come but those corks remained intact. We knew this happened because readers told us about bottles like that and we have many ourselves.
While we urge people to open them as often as possible, and we try to do that because no one is promised tomorrow, there are still some bottles that we just haven’t brought ourselves to open. Some are rather young, but special to us, still. The point is to open these gems with someone you care about and celebrate the memories that are in that bottle. Make them the occasion. Recognizing that sometimes it takes a village to do something difficult, we set a date, the last Saturday in February, for this global celebration of friendship, love and wine. This year, it’s Feb. 24th.

The hard part is choosing the wine. If it’s old and may have sediment, you’ll want to stand it up a couple days before Saturday the 24th so the sediment will settle in the bottom of the bottle. Have a back-up wine handy in case your first choice is irretrievably bad (and even then, don’t rush to throw it out. You’d be surprised how some old wines can pull themselves together by the next day).

It's not all about old and collectables. Some people use OTBN as a reason to finally buy a wine they’ve been curious about for some time.

Talk about the wine, why it’s special to you, and savor a little of it without food. Give it a minute alone, give it its due. And last, enjoy the wine for what it is, not what it might someday be or might once have been."

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If you're either looking to buy a special bottle to celebrate or wondering which bottle from you existing collection you should open, we have some suggestions. 

Celebrations large and small (and really, why not just celebrate existence?) deserve champagne, and the 1997 Champagne Salon is really starting to drink at its peak.  

You can't go wrong with a Burgundy. The 2006 vintage of red Burgundy is drinking really nicely and 2013 vintage for white Burgundy will surprise you with their finesse.

Much like Burgundy, Barolo has a reputation for excellence. The 2004 Barolos are beginning to open up very nicely. 

With spring around the corner, it's time to open and drink 2016 rosés. They are better young (I'm sure many of us would say the same of ourselves!) and the 2017s are starting to hit the shores.  

2017: Year in Review

As 2017 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on all the people, events, and especially wines, that made it such a momentous year. 

At Vineyard Brands, we feel so fortunate to work with so many talented and and passionate winemakers. These people make wine because it is more than a job- it is their calling. The quality of their wines reflect that.

Red, White, Old World, New World, wines from across our portfolio earned accolades and made Top 100 lists from leading publications. 

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Two Vineyard Brands wines earned spots on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2017.
#19 Marques de Caceres Rioja Reserva 2012: 
“Black cherry, currant and floral notes are expressive and alluring, balanced by loamy earth, tobacco and mineral elements that add a savory quality. Firm, well-integrated tannins give support to the polished texture, while orange peel acidity fuels the fresh finish. Drink now through 2027.” 93 points

#26 Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas Blanc 2015:
“This vibrant and mouthwatering white shows green apple, Meyer lemon and dried pineapple flavors that are fresh and juicy. Lemon verbena and lime sherbet notes reverberate on the long, detailed finish. Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne. Drink now.” 93 points

Famille Perrin’s Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015 was recognized as one of James Suckling’s Top 100 Wines of 2017.
"All 13 grapes. This has a dark fruited, blueberry and blue plum nose with wide swinging tannins. Some white peppery elements, violets, brooding dark spices, blue fruits and dark plums. Builds from the ground up. Dark stones. Impressive, powerful. wine. Drink from 2025." 97 points

Wine Enthusiast named wine from both Champagne Salon (with a perfect score of 100!) and Massolino to their Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2017.
#11 Champagne Salon Brut Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil 2006: 
"This new release from a great vintage for Chardonnay in Champagne in s perfect blanc de blancs, showing a wealth of intensity from the crisp, chalky, mineral tones to the perfumed apple notes. The aromas hint as developing tastiness that adds depth and complexity. The wine is still young and it will age for years. Drink from 2020." 100 points

#25 Massolino Barolo Parafada 2013:
"...The full-bodied palate shows great energy and intensity, delivering juicy Marasca cherry, ripe cranberry, white pepper and clove framed in youthfully assertive, refined tannins and bright acidity..." 97 points

Wine Enthusiast also named Les Frères Couillaud Château de la Ragotière Sélection Vieilles Vignes Sur Lie (Muscade Sèvre et Maine) as #72 on their Top 100 of 2017.
"Old vines, up to 60 years old, are the basis of this concentrated, ripe and intense wine. it is impressive and tightly wound, with layers of rich citrus fruit and a chalky texture. This is still a little young, so drink from 2018."

International Wine Report’s Top 100 of 2017 featured two more Vineyard Brands wines-
#66 Laurent Tribut Côte de Lechet 2015 and #100 is Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2016.

August Kesseler Riesling R was named to the Wine Spectator 100 Top Values of 2017. 
"This is redolent of fresh-cut Fuji apple, with notes of ripe melon and kiwifruit that are crunchy and well-spiced." 89 points

Decanter's list of the most exciting wines of 2017 included two wines from the Vineyard Brands portfolio, one from Warre's and one from Louis Michel & Fils. 
#14 Warre's Bottle Aged Late Bottled Vintage Port 2004:
"Vivids damsons and blackcurrants with liniment and spice, giving a luxuriously sweet, soft mouthful. The rich chocolate notes are kept in check by ripe enveloping tannins, beautifully integrated wood and fresh acidity."

#44 Louis Michel & Fils Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre 2015:
"A delicate herbal and lemony style with crisp apple and a mineral mint character to the fore. Vibrant and vivid yet maintains a lean, restrained nature. Lots of persistence, so more complexity will come."

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In addition to these Top 100 lists, Vineyard Brands wines were lauded in many other ways.

Gradis’ciutta was awarded Gold Medals from Gilbert and Gaillard Wine Guide for the Bratinis DOC COLLIO 2015 and Cabernet Franc DOC COLLIO 2015.

Platter’s by Diners Club International awarded five stars to wines from Stark-Condé, Boekenhoutskloof, Chamonix, and Constantia Glen. (The full list is here)

The Daily Meal named Tablas Creek Vineyard #2 on their list of the 101 Best Wineries in America. 

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Some of our winemakers themselves were recognized for their tremendous work.

Berene Sauls & Tesselaarsdal Wines Pty Ltd won Top Female Entrepreneur in the Agro-processing category as well as the Ministral Award hosted by the Department of Agriculture Western Cape.

Alejandro “Colo” Sejanovich of TintoNegro was named one of the Top 10 Winemakers of South America by Decanter.

Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard won Wine Industry Person of the Year by San Luis Obispo County wine industry. 

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Finally, we were honored to be a nominee for Importer of the Year for the prestigious Wine Enthusiast 2017 Wine Star Awards. 

...oh and the French national team celebrated earning their spot at the FIFA World Cup with a bottle of Champagne Delamotte. 

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2017 has been a year to remember. Thanks to all of you for making our wines a part of your life. We'll leave you with two toasts to the New Year and see you in 2018!

"In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want."

"Here's a toast to the future, a toast to the past, and a toast to our friends, far and near. May the future be pleasant, the past a bright dream; may our friend remain faithful and dear."

Global Champagne Day

"Champagne! In victory, one deserves it, in defeat, one needs it."
Napoleon Bonaparte (who knew well both victory and defeat)

“Champagne is the one thing that gives me zest when I feel tired” 
Brigitte Bardot

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.” 
Mark Twain

“My only regret in life is that I didn’t drink enough Champagne” 
John Maynard Keynes

“Remember gentlemen, it’s not just France we are fighting for, it’s Champagne!” 
Winston Churchill

With a history dating back over 300 years and adoring fans ranging from Napoleon Bonaparte to John Maynard Keyes to Brigitte Bardot, champagne is unique. The U.N. gave the Champagne region of France world heritage status in 2015.

But did you the know the beloved bubbles were originally not so in demand? The bubbles were once unwelcome and considered by winemakers to be a sign the wine had gone bad.

Now champagne and its trademark bubbles are used to christen boats, celebrate huge sports wins (like the French national team’s win guaranteeing their place in the World Cup), toast happy couples at weddings, and the celebration of life events large and small.

To be Champagne, the wine MUST come from the Champagne region of France. Champagne Salon and Champagne Delamotte are two of the most well respected houses in the region. The two joined forces in 1988.

Champagne Delamotte was founded in 1760, making it the sixth oldest Champagne house.  Nicolas Louis Delamotte assumed management of the House of Delmoatte in 1828 and hosted spectacular events, including the coronation of France’s last King, Charles X. Today just ten people manage the annual production of 750,000 bottles. The golden rules for the business: ensure a consistent quality by purposefully limited production and maintain at least three harvests in the cellars at all times. The wine is truly a labor of love for the small production team, which offers four bruts: Delamotte Brut, Delamotte Blanc de Blancs Vintage, Delamotte Blanc de Blancs, and Delamotte Rosé.

Champagne Salon is one of the most exclusive and most prestigious makers of Champagne. The first known vintage was 1905. The 1928 vintage of Salon was unanimously accepted by connoisseurs and the requirements have remained constant every since: only in exceptional years are the great vintages made, a feature unique to Salon, with limited production and traditional Vinification.

Champagne Salon is rare on all counts: always a single harvest, single cru, single grape variety, and only produced in the best vintages. In the 20th century, only 37 vintages were declared with an average production of 60,000 bottles per declared vintage. 

Wine Down

Fresh off the Emmys we've been thinking more about what wines our favorite TV characters drink. 

More and more it seems wine is synonymous with strong female characters on TV shows. While Sex and the City made the cosmo famous, the 21st century has ushered in a new generation of wine drinkers. 

We know we aren’t the only ones who see a glass of wine on TV (or during a Netflix binge) and feel inspired to drink like the character. We’ve rounded up a few wine lovers from our favorite shows and wines inspired by their taste and personality.

Image: Buzzfeed

Alicia Florrick
In the Good Wife Alicia faces on challenge after another, but through it all she keeps a steady hand while pouring a glass of red wine. A lawyer with a life as complex as the cases she faced, Alicia would enjoy a bottle of Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir- not overly fruity with hints of savory primal character.

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Claire Underwood
First lady turned Vice President Claire Underwood is cunning and plays by her own rules. No doubt she would appreciate MAAL winemaker Alfredo Merlo’s desire to produce “unique, elegant, and intense Malbec wines.” Claire would be right at home drinking a glass of bestial or rebellion.

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 Skylar White
Few characters that grace our TV screens have been through more than Breaking Bad’s Walter White’s long-suffering wife Skylar White. While much changes over the course of the show, one things doesn’t- Skylar’s love for white wine. Pour yourself a glass of Marqués de Cáceres Verdejo or Cono Sur Bicicleta Sauvignon Blanc and cheers to the fact YOUR significant other isn’t cooking up meth.

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Image: DailyMail

Cersei Lannister
Plotting, scheming, and downright dangerous, Cersei casually enjoys a glass of wine while blowing up part of a city. So if you too have similarly large plans (though hopefully less destructive) and are looking for the right wine to pair with said plans, pour of glass of Gradis’ciutta Merlot- the intense bouquet, dry taste, and slightly bitter taste will have you thinking of Cersei to the last drop.

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Blair Waldorf
Queen B of the Upper East Side knows the best way to celebrate any success- whether personal or professional- is with a glass of bubbly. Treat yourself like our fabulously wealthy heroine and toast your latest success with a glass of the incomparable Champagne Salon or Champagne Delamotte.