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?
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
Somm Foundation Receives $25,000 in Support Pouring of Chateau Montelena’s stunning 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Over 200 people descended on Napa Valley’s Meritage Resort & Spa
Sojourn to the apex of Napa Valley with Theorem Vineyards. Adventuring up to Calistoga offers a wide array of wine riches including some boutique & family-owned small lot wineries.
Decadent, delicious and luxurious. Chocolate made for pure indulgence and a very special offer for you. (Link in bio)
Picture this. When Chardonnay grapes are harvested and pressed for juice, the remains are a mix of nutrient-rich by-products which, to date, have been going to-at best, compost--at worst, to waste.
Winemakers focused on eliminating waste discovered the taste attributes of Chardonnay grapes work in symphony with dark chocolate. Specifically by adding both brightness and a natural sweetness which utterly complements and tempers the dark chocolate's bitter notes.
The results are incredible. Smooth taste, a decadent creaminess and flavor that is so remarkable you'll be coming back for more. Science endorses dark chocolate as a potent antioxidant.
Enter @vinetobar. A delicious way to celebrate chocolate, sustainability and wine.
Delightfully designed to be unique in the realm of chocolate, it stands alone in its ability to pair perfectly with wine.
Whether it's Valentine's Day with someone special, a night out with your favorite friends, or a relaxing afternoon, indulge! Vine to Bar will take you and your palate
to new heights. (Link in bio)
Even better? My followers can get 10% off any @vinetobar
purchase through February 28, 2022. Use the code: VinetoBar8
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I’m pairing this beautiful sunset with a crazy good Sangiovese by @bibigraetz
Casa Matta means ‘crazy house’ which seems very fitting after this wild week.
This Tuscan beauty is a lovely sip with a bounty of red vibrant fruit and an affordable price. Beautifully understated Sangiovese with all the best Sangio attributes.
Love the bright taste and the easy on the pocketbook price. $20
This is how you kick off the weekend!
What are you ‘getting into’ this weekend?!
#TheWineSiren
#Tuscany #winelover #Winecountry #sunsetphotography
2017 Adams Blend from @canardvineyard . Made with proprietary Left-Bank and Right Bank varieties this beauty captures the best of Napa Valley goodness. It’s hallmark? Cabernet Franc & French Oak.
A nose of violet, black fruit and red berries sets the tone for this luxurious sip.
Lovely soft tannins, a framework of good structure and balance render a sublime state for those enjoying it. And if you love a long decadent finish you are in for a treat.
Drink now or cellar…
Paired with ribeye steak, asparagus, purple sweet potatoes and aioli.
“Fermentation: Cold Soaked 3 days, for a total of 21 days on the skins.
Aging: 19 months in French Oak
(50% New)
Cooperages: Fouquet, Sylvain
Varieties: 91% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.8%”
#TheWineSiren #NapaValley
#winetasting #winewednesday
Angele means messenger of God or Angel in French. To 💋🍷💋#TheWineSiren Angele means a beautiful sign of food, with French influence.
Their wine list has something for everyone. The location is on the Napa River which you know is a favorite viewpoint of mine. The waterfront patio seating is always warm and sheltered.
The food and cocktails are always appealing.
Whether you are a barfly and love a good brunch or looking for a high quality evening out, this is one of my favorite destinations.
I’ve had the luxury of dining on these stunning St. Edwards oysters and enjoying the evening with my lovely friend, @Teresa_
It’s the perfect place to catch up with old friends and new. Celebrating a special occasion or just catching up.
Opened in 2002 by Bettina Rouas, this is a destination to be added to your itinerary, seasoned Napa visitor or not.
@AngeleRestaurant
#TheWIneSiren
@Bistro.Jeanty is a beautiful family-owned restaurant in the heart of #Yountville.
Started by Phillipe Jeanty over 20 years ago, the adventurous menu along with the meticulously prepared food is always a great detour after wine tasting. The dish you see before you is Crême de Tomate en Croute (Tomato soup in puff pastry). It’s bold brilliant flavors are complimented by the flaky decadent crust. Perfect for a cool winter day in Napa Valley. Located in Yountville Bistro Jeanty has both indoor and outdoor seating.
Paired with this stunning dish, a beautifully made Chablis from Bourgogne’s Domaine Vincent Dampt. A perfect accompaniment with so many dishes. Lovely texture, vibrant, great balance and a refreshing finish! Vincent Dampt is a fourth generation winemaker who has worked in both Marlborough New Zealand and at one of my favorite wineries, @olivierleflaive in #Burgundy. He farms organically on 8 hectares and is in the process of getting his HVE Certification (High Environmental Value). Sustainably grown.
#TheWineSiren #bourgogne #chablis #winelover #winetime
#winesyagr #winegeek #winetasting #organicwine #winelovers #foodies #whitewine #thirstythursday #ilovewine #wine #napavalley #napa
Dry Creek Valley has the charm of old Sonoma County, and at the same time the beauty of some of Sonoma’s best wine. @DutcherCrossing continually exemplifies the mastery achieved by proprietor Debra Mathy.
While we all are riding the cool weather wave, there is nothing like robust wine giving its all to a meal or to your pure and utter enjoyment. Dutcher Crossing has achieved this with three luscious examples of beauty.
Starting with the 2017 Brother’s Reserve Zinfandel… A complex and well balanced array of exquisite flavor and the hallmark of a brutal year. Lively and succulent, a vibrancy and complexity that will give this vintage beautiful cellar time, but make you want to imbibe now. A favorite pairing? A rack of lamb . The full bodied beauty stands up to rich dishes!
Next the 2017 Taylor Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Dry Creek Valley. Considered one of the most important wines at Dutcher Crossing the rock hillside the Cabernet Sauvignon vines thrive on brings rich flavor, aroma and tannins. Blended with Syrah, it adds further complexity and softens its rigidity with balance and beauty. Incredible finish and brilliantly vibrant fruit celebrates this exemplary beauty of a Cabernet. And you know I’m pairing that with a big juicy porterhouse!
Finally heading to sweet side of life with this 2014 Zinfandel Port. While it’s ready to sip now, this is one you can cellar and forget as the flavor will only further accentuate it’s promise. Ripe dried and sweet fruit with a bit of oak spice and a burst of vibrancy. I paired this with my tiramisu and couldn’t get enough.
It’s time to get closer to Dutcher Crossing and taste these incredibly exquisite and complex wine. Ready?! Let’s do this!
DutcherCrossingWinery.com
#TheWineSiren #redwine #port #zinfandel #cabernetsauvignon #Sonomacounty #drycreek #californiawine #wineinfluencer #winelover #winetasting #wheretotaste #winery #winerlovers #winedestinations
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