As 2008 draws to a close we thought we would take a moment to bring you up-to-date on a number of wine-related developments that might be of interest.
Beautiful, modern two-bedroom apartment in Paris - soon to be available to rent by the week.
Our good Parisian friends, Diran and Mimi Loris are renovating an apartment in a 17th century building on a quiet cobble stone street in one of liveliest districts of Paris, quartier Montorgueil in the 2nd arrondissement. Montorgueil is a vibrant pedestrian area in the heart of the capital. Close by is everything you could want - renowned pastry shops, cozy bistros and cafes, gourmet shops, fabulous boutiques, jazz clubs and spas. It is an easy walk to Notre-Dame, the Louvre, l'Opéra, Île de la Cité, Latin Quarter, le Marais, Place des Victoires and many other attractions in the City of Lights. It is also close to the RER line that goes directly to Charles de Gaulle Airport and to metro and train stations for local commuting.
This is a beautiful renovation carried out by Diran, an award-winning architect (including the Governor General’s Award for Architecture when he lived in Canada). The thoroughly modern first floor apartment (click here to see floor plan - photos will soon be available) has two bedrooms with queen size beds, two full bathrooms (one w/shower, one w/bath) and open concept living/dining area with fully equipped kitchen that includes a dishwasher and washer/dryer. Mimi will make sure it is beautifully decorated. And, it has all the modern conveniences - flat screen television with multiple channels including CNN and BBC, wireless internet and free, long distance phone calls to 37 countries including Canada and the US.
This is a modern apartment, ideal for a family of four or two couples, in a thriving yet traditional area. It has all the comforts of home in the centre of Paris! It should be available for rent by March 2009. If you would like more information, please contact Mimi and Diran directly at mdavloris@yahoo.com or give them a call at: 011 331 06 84 45 27 08. They speak English, French and several other languages. Tell them we sent you.
Recent vintages in Arthur’s realm.
2007 was a wonderful vintage in southern France, particularly for white grape varieties and Grenache. This means that the white wines from Domaine de Tara, Château de l’Isolette, Château Rives-Blanques and Domaine Chabrier Fils (their ’07 La Garrigue is amazing) will be in absolutely top nick. And, the Grenache-based red wines of the Southern Rhône will truly be classics. Robert Parker says that the wines from Châteauneuf du Pape are the best he has tasted in his 30 year career as a wine critic. We have reserved as much Châteauneuf du Pape as we can from Domaine Roger Sabon and Château Fines Roches as well as the Vacqueyras and Gigondas from Domaine Palon. The reds from throughout the Languedoc will also be top notch.
Things get a little more difficult in 2007 as we go further north and this is where superior field and winery management really pays. Everything got off to a good start in Beaujolais and Burgundy but there was a lot of rain during the summer and the fall was not as hot and dry as would have been ideal. So, manual harvesting and hand-sorting was necessary to produce high quality wine; something that Les Vins du Penlois, in Beaujolais and Maison Alex Gambal in Beaune routinely do. The result is very good wine, but volumes are down by twenty percent or more.
Except for the Languedoc and Alsace, 2008 was a real trial. There was simply too much rain and cool weather; not enough sun and heat. The harvest was delayed as long as possible to get the sugar content up. Once again, it will be the small artisan winemakers who will make the good wines.
Our very popular 1er Cru Rosé Brut from Champagne Forget-Brimont is coming to VINTAGES!
On Saint Valentines Day, February 14th you will be able to buy this most festive Champagne at your favourite VINTAGES outlet, one bottle at a time. A blend of the 2003, 2004 and 2005 vintages, it is a traditional assemblage of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Comprised of more than a quarter Grand Cru grapes, it has been rated by the Wine Spectator between 89 and 91 points. Almost 20,000 bottles of this lovely wine have been sold by the SAQ in Québec since this time last year, but only 1,800 bottles will be available in Ontario. The retail price is expected to be $54.95, a fraction of what similar Champagne currently sells for at the LCBO.
O!France 2009 - a little room left.
While the second and third weeks of Hélène’s most memorable tours of Provence are sold out for fall 2009, there is still some excellent space available for the week of September 5 to 12 including the expansive Master Suite. See www.ofrance.ca to be sorely tempted - be sure to click on ‘Fall 2009 Brochure’ at the bottom of the homepage. And, if you are thinking a doing something special in 2010, now is a good time to discuss plans with Hélène - hbuisson@ofrance.ca.
Domaine Vincent Stoeffler.
Vincent Stoeffler’s sampler case of six different splendid Alsatian wines (including three Grand Cru) is currently available and selling like hotcakes! Don’t miss this opportunity to try some absolutely smashing Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer from an extremely talented young vintner. We’ll be taking your orders to the LCBO on Thursday, January 9th. Check out all the details at our website www.arthursellers.com.
Wine and food pairing dinner at Bodega?
When’s the next wine and food pairing dinner at Bodega, many have been asking? Good question. We are currently plotting with Paul Biggs, proprietor and chef extraordinaire to have one on a Saturday evening later on in February. We want to highlight the 1er Cru Rosé Brut from Champagne Forget-Brimont and Paul wants to try our some succulent new culinary creations. We’ll send you all the delicious details soon.
It is hard to believe that our third calendar year operating Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club is drawing to a close. Hélène and I want to thank all our Members for making it a most pleasant experience. We hope you are enjoying it as much as we are. Many, many thanks for all of those referrals; please keep them coming.
We wish you a healthy, happy, prosperous and fun-filled (not to overlook fine wine-filled) 2009.
Cheers!
Jim and Hélène
Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club
www.arthursellers.com
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
