Napa Valley’s Sustainable Wine Movement
March 8, 2022
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We sat down with CEO of Napa Green Anna Brittan to get down to earth on sustainable wine and how the program works. Vineyards of
Wine and Spirits Magazine just named Krug Grande Cuvée Brut the single most popular sparkling wine in restaurants across the United States. The Grande Cuvée was first made in 1844. Now in its 166th Edition, Krug swept the honors from previous years’ winners including Veuve Clicquot and Billecart-Salmon. It is not surprising the Krug Grande Cuvée got this esteemed recognition. What is surprising is its quiet resolve to be one of the finest Champagnes on the market without ever deviating from its founder’s vision.
Outstanding Champagne is steeped in history and pivotal moments. While Krug Champagne has been in existence for over 170 years, the brand has created a significant differentiation in its approach to Champagne. Taste, exceptional quality, and a delicate yet bountiful perlage are the cornerstones of Krug. But also a pedigree that is traceable down to the vineyards and vintages used in its Cuvée. Krug on its own grows 40% of the grapes used to make their Grande Cuvée. The rest is hand-selected from growers in the region who have been meticulously culled over the years to lend to Krug that oh so key differentiating factor.
What makes Krug so different? The history and commitment to quality that was handed down from the founder, Joseph Krug. He began his career in Champagne at Jacquesson where he became a partner early on. He founded the House of Krug in 1843. The vision was to create a Champagne with consistent quality, not depending on a single year vintage. Krug had seen the ups and downs of good seasons and bad in the region and wanted to maintain the highest level of consistency. This genius led to a ritual of tasting wines from vineyard to vineyard and not blending until he first had a large reserve of these vineyard lots separated. The wine would remain separated until the time to blend or assemblage. This would prevent the House of Krug Champagne from being subject to the whims of Mother Nature and provide more consistency from year to year.
Growers have always augmented the production of Krug’s Champagne. Many of the grower relationships have been in existence for several generations. The size of the grower’s vineyard was not as important as the terroir and the quality of the grapes. Low yields were looked at as a premium. Krug uses old oak for their fermentation. No malolactic is induced. Another big differentiator is in how they blend and evaluate. Blending occurs over a period of five solid months and undergoes hundreds, perhaps even thousands of tastes before a Cuvée is ever released.
Some question the value proposition of a Cuvée. Krug knows it all too well. They assign an ID number to each of their Cuvée. This enables you to go to their website and search for the DNA of that specific bottle. The bottle I tasted had ID number 117006. I was terribly curious about the origins of the Cuvée and how much information would be revealed. I went to the website and put the number in. What I found was 140 different wines went into my Cuvée. The oldest vintage was 1998, the youngest was 2010. I even learned when it received its cork (Winter 2017). Pretty impressive.
I asked Maggie Hernandez, the CEO of Krug about Champagne as a celebratory drink versus playing a part in every day living and got this:
"The Krug philosophy is that Champagne is about pleasure and sharing. Enjoying Krug at any moment, can be alone or paired with exceptional food and/or music transform any moment into a special one. Sometimes the most casual, intimate moments spent with Krug are the most memorable ones. It is a pity to consider Champagne only for celebration in the very bad glasses which are the flutes in which you cannot appreciate the beauty of Champagnes. Good Champagnes are such a good company for almost every moment of every day’s life."
Pleasure. It’s one of the most enjoyable states of mind we can experience. Add great company, a compelling topic, excellent wine and you’ve got the winning ingredients of a perfect evening or celebration. It’s also one of the key building blocks of the Krug brand. Their Cuvée is an exciting opportunity to taste a blend of the best of many vintages. This way flavor and aromas come through to give you a taste of time in history.
Tasting Notes: The delicate and refined bubbles are the first thing I noticed about the Champagne. This is a company that takes it’s time and only releases the Cuvée after a period of 10 years. Fragrant white blossoms greet the nose, with a bit of citrus and spice. The palate is exquisite. Creamy, with a mild nutty nuance and lemon. This is a wine you can buy and hold. It ages quite well. But, why wait?
We sat down with CEO of Napa Green Anna Brittan to get down to earth on sustainable wine and how the program works. Vineyards of
Use the Best Dark Chocolate Made for Wine Pairing. Chocolate and wine pairing has never been easier. #Sponsored With an intriguing history, chocolate has garnered
Bouchaine Winery is the spot to discover great Burgundian varieties made in Napa Valley’s Carneros region. Modern winery meets social hour. Bouchaine Vineyards tasting room
Popped over to @arthausnapa then @feastitforward fora fabulous pre-game of the @norahjones concert. Then over to the concert.
Hanging with my girl @wineartlife having a magnificent time.
Love a good summer concert! Do you have any summer concert plans? Share them below!
#TheWineSiren #KellyMitchell #wine #winecountry #napavalley #greatmusic #norahjones #concert #summerfun #girlsnightout #goodvibes #instafun
Taking a page out of goodwill, good sense and mighty initiatives the experts, keynotes, and educators for @napathrives together for an phenomenal evening @tressaboreswinery . Incredible people with powerful transformational initiatives. Thank you @abrittain & @reyeswine.mw for your hard work and to @tressaboreswinery for hosting this incredible evening.
#TheWineSiren #sustainablefarming #napavalley #winenapa #climateaction #Betterfarming #carboninitiatives #netzero #transformativelearning #kellymitchell #wine #winegrowing #portoprotocol #climatesolutions #buysustainable #loweremissions #winelover #winelife #winedinner #viticulture
How do you feel when you’ve dined impeccably?
Culinary adventures are always exciting. But when you book one restaurant mistakenly and it ends up being an exceptional surprise you win in both regards. Serendipity!
Such was my experience at the @ritzcarltonwaikiki ‘s #LaVie restaurant.
From the ESCARGOT + GRENOUILLE · frog legs meuniére. petit gris snails. green garlic aïoli to the…
LUDOVICO CHICKEN BALLOTINE · roasted foie gras. lentils du puy. perigord truffle jus.
And the MAUI VENISON NOISETTE · braised cabbage. maui onion brûlé. bearnaise mosseline.
-LA VIE RULES exceptional dining and impeccable service in Honolulu!
Paired with @faillawines and yes! They are on the @ritzcarltonwaikiki ‘s menu! #pinotnoir #sonomacoast
#TheWineSiren #KellyMitchell #wine #wineanddine #luxurydining #winetravel #beautifuldestinations #travelblogger #hawaii #waikikibeach #deliciouseats
#instatravel
There are some things worth highlighting in a very particular way.
Here I give you @faillawines . I first heard about them a few years ago.
Today I found them on Hawaii shelves when looking for a pre-dinner sip before we’d venture out for one of a few celebrations and our return to the island, our home for over three decades.
This 2019 Sonoma Coast Failla is an extraordinary example of what fruits will bare with the influence of the rugged Sonoma Coasts winds and diurnal shifts. Brilliant ruby hue, exquisitely alive, smooth on this long lusty finish. An example of a great Sonoma County Pinot Noir.
60% estate grown fruit from Russian River Valley, and 40% from single vineyards outside of the estate. 30% whole cluster & native yeast.
#TheWineSiren #KellyMitchell #Wine #SonomaCounty #SonomaCoast #beautifulwine #beautifuldestinations #RussianRiver #SonomaCoast #Sonomacoastwine #pinotnoirlover #winetime #greatwine
Dark skies, pouring rain and thunder were no match for the spirit of the people of Boise, Idaho when it comes to #winetasting.
Some very delicious surprises here from @rollinghills_urbantastingroom to @3100cellars delicious Brut made in the traditional method to @hatranchwinery ‘s red blend. All poured at #savorIdaho ‘s @idahobotanicalgarden . It was a feast for the eyes and palate.
The gardens are lush and picturesque, just 2.4 miles from the city center.
The perfect place to taste and enjoy the fruits of #idahowine
Have you been to Idaho #winecountry?
The best way to see #snakeriver territory is with @snakeriverwinetours Sam’s booth was full all day because she embodies the spirit of the people here. Warm friendly, no pretense and unabashedly candid.
Make new friends discover delicious Idaho Wine and get out of your comfort zone. Adventure awaits!
#SavorIdaho #TheWineSiren #KellyMitchell #wine #winetasting #drinkidahowine #Sponsored
When I left the mainland for Hawaii over 42 years ago, I had no idea how much I missed and how much I would embrace my return to the mainland.
So I jumped at the chance to visit Idaho and learn more about their wineries, the Ava’s and the people of the fastest growing #wineregion in the United States. It was also intriguing to note that the 43rd parallel where a vast majority of wine is grown in Idaho is the same parallel in Europe as #Provence, #Tuscany, #riasbaixas .
When I arrived in #Idaho a few things struck me… The lack of significant traffic, the amount of newcomers (90% of the people I’d met had been in Boise have lived here less than 2 years), and the warmth of the locals.
It’s a throwback to Napa in the early 80’s. An emerging wine region, with exceptional passion and drive behind it. The wineries in the area I visited ( #sunnyslope )were very much a kinship of support of one and other. The countryside is absolutely stunning.
From night one, dining at Chandler’s Boise, a contemporary steakhouse with an exceptional wine list, well versed Sommelier and a cool jazz vibe, to a day trip with @snakeriverwinetours and 4 lovely wineries . And Boise itself, one of the most walkable rich in history cities in the United States.
I’d no idea I’d taste wine that was not only diverse but also well represented in many facets of style, depth and production. There is so much to explore in the name of Idaho Wine. Stay tuned!
#TheWineSiren #KellyMitchell #wine #Idahowine #drinkidahowine #savoridaho #winelover #Wineadventures
#Wheretowine #Winedestinations #winelover #winetravel #travelblogger
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