Latest news with #CabernetFranc
Irish Independent
08-08-2025
- Irish Independent
Refreshing red wines for lighter summer sipping
The Loire is great hunting ground for the vibrant red wines that suit summer so well. Cabernet Franc in Chinon and neighbouring Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and Saumur-Champigny offer piquant red fruits seasoned by leafy, woody herbs and stony minerality thanks to the limestone-rich soils of this stretch of riverbank, where cellars are carved into the soft, chalky local limestone known as tuffeau. Besides today's wine of the week from Saumur-Champigny, O'Briens has a fine expression from the Bollinger-owned Chateau Langlois (€21.95). Other juicy Loire reds feature floral Gamay and elegant Pinot Noir, grapes that star further south east in Beaujolais and Burgundy respectively (more of which next week). One commonality of these three regions is their relatively cool climates. Lower temperatures naturally slow the ripening of the grapes' sugars, which allows time to ripen the phenols that create complex aromas in the resulting wines. Cool climates also preserve the grapes' natural acidity, allowing for lighter-bodied, lower alcohol wines with vibrant fruit and lively freshness. Beyond France, many cool-climate regions produce similarly fresh and fragrant wines. In the hilly stretch that hugs its north-western coast, 'Green Spain' regions like Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra, Monterrei and Valdeorras stand out for their Pinot-like Mencia. Further inland, the heat soars, but the coolnees of high-altitude pockets like Sierra de Gredos outside Madrid allows for elegant, restrained expressions of bush-vine Garnacha that balances all that juicy fruit with fine freshness. Italy's Alpine regions of Alto Adige and the Dolomites produce nervy reds with local Lagrein, Schiava and Teroldego, while the high acidity of Chianti's Sangiovese and Piedmont's Barbera make tangy options. Austria's answer to Pinot Noir, Blaufrankisch, turns up as Kekfrankos in Hungary and Frankovka in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Croatia. New Zealand's Pinot Noir are lighter than Burgundy's, while Chile's Cinsault and Pais from cool-climate Itata Valley are great summer calls. Wines of the week Domaine Filliatreau Chateau Fouquet Saumur 2021, Loire, France, 13.5pc, €25 Cool Cabernet Franc from one of Saumur's best regarded producers, this is pale and light in appearance, with fragrant aromas of forest floor, papery bark, hints of eucalyptus, rosemary and other woody herbs meeting wild strawberry, cherry and raspberry notes. Sour cranberry and rosehip dominate at first on the very fresh palate, but then pretty strawberry notes unfurl, making for refreshing, moreish, medium-to-light-bodied drinking with lots of freshness. Whelehans Wines, Loughlinstown; La Garnacha Salvaje del Moncayo, Spain, 13.5pc, €17.50-€20 A wild mountain wine from Vintae's Projecto Garnacha series, which explores the potential of old bush vine Garnacha along the Ebro Valley in northeastern Spain. Expect energy, purity, herbal lift and generous red fruits that are sweet without being cloying. Independents including Pinto Wine, Whelehans Wines, A Pie De Tierra, Gre2 Garnacha, Sierra de Gredos, Spain, 13.5pc, €21-€22 A natural red wine with notes of dried flowers, rosehip, orange zest, pomegranate and sour purple fruit, carefully crafted from old, dry-farmed Garnacha vines grown at 600 metres above sea level west of Madrid, in a mix of granite rock, granitic sand, schist and other soils. Fíon Eile, Neighbourhood Wine, Green Man Wines, Domaine Sérol Eclat de Granite 2023, Côte Roannaise, France, 12.5pc, €28 If you love Beaujolais from the granitic soiled cru of Brouilly, this Gamay St Romain from the Loire Valley foothills of the Massif Central strikes a wonderful balance of ripe richness with lively tart freshness, with peppery raspberry, cherry and violet fragrance. Whelehans Wines and other independents, Mitchell & Son; Pour Ma Gueule Clos des Fous, Itata Valley, Chile, 13.5pc, €20-€21 A delicious blend of dry-farmed, old-vine Cinsault and Pais from renowned winemaker and soil specialist Pedro Parra, this is juicy and bright with smoky bacon notes for a fun barbecue pairing. Or Pedro Parra 'Vinista' (€26, is an ethereal expression of pure Pais. Pinto Wines,
Boston Globe
07-08-2025
- Lifestyle
- Boston Globe
A girlfriends' getaway to the best wine region you've never heard of
We took a girlfriend's trip to Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up We checked into Advertisement Charles R Vineyards, located down a long, rural road, and tucked under a grove of massive oak trees has a lovely garden patio. Pamela Wright Advertisement 'Why can't we have a little bubbly every day to celebrate?' asked Kent as she poured glasses of her sparkling Gruner Veitliner. It was crisp and dry, and quite enjoyable. Yes, why not celebrate the day! The winery, stretching across 70 hillside acres is known for its hand-crafted, estate-grown wines. The setting is pretty, and the tasting room modern, showcasing Darcie's original artwork. There are also picnic areas, terraces, and the Highlands cannabis dispensary on the property, a bright shop with approachable staff, and a sunny outdoor deck. But we'd come for the wine. We sampled a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and a Cabernet Franc, while Kent and her daughter Amanda shared their history and passion for winemaking in Livermore. 'There's a real sense of community here, and a history of strong women in the valley, running businesses.' The Cheese Parlor in downtown Livermore is a sweet, little cheese shop, with a nice selection of artisanal cheeses and charcuterie. Pamela Wright Feeling a little lightheaded, and famished, we headed to the 'My parents had no background in winemaking. They had no idea what they were doing,' said Heather McGrail, president of McGrail Vineyards and Winery, our next stop on our DIY tour. The McGrail estate is also beautiful, a big yellow house surrounded by expansive green lawns, with cozy outdoor seating areas, stone terraces, and a stage for live music and special events. Advertisement McGrail explained that the family started making wine for fun. Lucky for them that they were friends with the Wente family, long-established and highly regarded winemakers (more on them later), who guided them. McGrail had moved away when her parents called her back home to run the winery. 'Everyone in the valley pitched in and helped me,' she said. 'I think that's what this region is about.' Today, they have 12 acres planted around the tasting room, and another 22 acres at their Lucky 8 vineyard. We tasted a lively, fragrant Sauvignon Blanc, a Cabernet Sauvignon, and an oak-y, creamy Chardonnay. 'Mom wanted a Chardonnay,' McGrail said. 'That's her style.' Heather McGrail, the president of McGrail Vineyards and Winery, proudly shows off one of their boutique wines. Pamela Wright That evening, we dined at the The next day, we headed to Advertisement We contemplated renting bikes from the local shop, Pedego, to explore nearby bike trails and tool around the countryside. Instead, we booked treatments at the Purple Orchid spa and hung around the pool and hot tub. We still had the two big Livermore wineries to visit: Advertisement It's a sprawling property with gardens, vineyards, a historic tasting room, wine caves, barrel room, and more. Wente showed us the oldest vines on the property, where they use falcons to chase away marauding, berry-eating birds. She led us to the wine cave, passing by the original barrel from the 1889 Paris Exposition, for a barrel tasting. 'Did you see this?!!' our friend Carroll shouted, as she waved a brochure in our faces. You Sip. We Ship. The brochure explained that if visitors stayed in a qualifying hotel (we did), they'd get reimbursed for shipping wine back home. Free shipping? 'How much time do we have before our plane takes off?' Carroll asked. Enough to select a few bottles to ship home. For more information, visit the Livermore Valley Wine Community,
Elle
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
Brunello Cucinelli Transformed the Hamptons Into an Italian Piazza for a Night
The threat of rain didn't deter guests—including Christie Brinkley and Alexandra Daddario—from donning their finest Brunello Cucinelli and heading to the Wölffer Estate Stables in The Hamptons last night. Upon arrival, they were immediately and perhaps unexpectedly transported to an Italian piazza, where two long, winding tables circled a fountain and a makeshift mercato was set up, stocked to the brim with tomatoes, cheese, and charcuterie. Dressed in the quiet luxury brand's signature shades of beige, cream, and brown, attendees mingled during cocktail hour, chatting about the looming storm and their end-of-summer plans out east. 'I brought sunglasses too, but where's the sun?' joked Kelly Turlington Burns. Next, the evening gave way to a seated dinner with an Umbrian-style menu of rigatoni pomodoro and gelato with fresh fruit, serenaded by live acoustic guitar, and naturally paired with Wölffer Estate Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. 'This was a tiny little farmhouse on a potato field,' co-host Joey Wölffer told the crowd, gesturing around the space. 'It's spectacular. It's way more than I could ever imagine.' Brunello Cucinelli CEO Riccardo Stefanelli flew in for a quick 24 hours to make an appearance. 'I'm not complaining—being in such a beautiful place with such beautiful people,' he said. 'There are many words—beauty, dignity, craftsmanship, attention to detail—but what we have here is not just a winery or a cellar, it's a community.' Scroll through below for an inside look. Claire Stern Milch is the Digital Director at ELLE, where she oversees all content and strategy. Previously, she was Deputy Editor at ELLE. Her interests include fashion, food, travel, music, Peloton, and The Hills—not necessarily in that order. She used to have a Harriet the Spy notebook and isn't ashamed to admit it.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ECHOLANDS WINERY WINS HIGHEST WASHINGTON TROPHY AT THE 2025 DECANTER MAGAZINE WORLD WINE AWARDS!
WALLA WALLA, Wash., June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Echolands Winery, a Walla Walla AVA mainstay, has won a Platinum Award from the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards. Out of nearly 17,000 entries, only one Washington wine was granted a Platinum Award – Echolands Winery Cabernet Franc Blue Mountain Vineyard 2022 Walla Walla Valley. Only three other U.S. wineries won Platinum Awards, one in Oregon and two in California. The 97-point score was bestowed by an august group of judges, comprising mostly Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine. "Winning a Gold or Platinum award at DWWA can literally change a producer's life," said DWWA judge and Master of Wine Tim Marson. The judges noted that Echolands' Blue Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Franc has, "an unrivalled purity of fruit: black cherry, berry and plum with a distinctive earthy, herbaceous tone. Mouth-filling and appetising with lustrous tannins and a beam of juicy acidity which undulates towards the long, smoky finish." Celebrating its 22nd edition, the Decanter World Wine Awards remain the world's largest and most influential wine competition. This year, wines from 57 countries were evaluated by 248 top international experts, including 22 Master Sommeliers and 72 Masters of Wine – the most in the competition's history. Though Frost and the Echolands team rely primarily upon their own vines for their fruit, there are special places in Walla Walla Valley that offer distinct expressions with certain grapes. "Blue Mountain Vineyard is a beautiful vineyard that is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Mountains and that is cooler than vineyards on the valley floor," Frost says. "That alone accounts for the lovely tension that we taste in the Cabernet Franc we buy from them. But it's an impeccably managed vineyard as well." Echolands buys a select amount of fruit from a few neighboring vineyards, like the esteemed Blue Mountain Vineyard. "The Cabernet Franc that we pick at Blue Mountain Vineyard is really special," says winemaker Brian Rudin. "It's a complex and more aromatic version of the grape than you get from other, particularly warmer, sites," he says. Walla Walla's famous Seven Hills Vineyard was the source for Echolands' Silver Medal-winning Seven Hills Vineyard Red 2020. Echolands' own Taggart Vineyard provided the Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes for their Silver Medal-winning Albus Taggart Vineyard 2023. Echolands Winery was founded in 2018 by renowned Master Sommelier and Master of Wine Doug Frost, in partnership with investor and conservationist Brad Bergman. Winemaker Brian Rudin manages the winery's 24-acre Taggart Vineyard on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley, as well as the Echolands Estate Vineyard's 28 acres of vines on the Washington side of the valley. This is the first proprietary winery project for wine consultant and writer Doug Frost, one of only four people in the world to hold both the Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles. "We chose the name Echolands to reflect our fundamental reliance on the landscape, the vines and the very special sites where our wines are grown," says Doug Frost, CEO and Owner of Echolands Winery. "In truth, all wine is an echo of the landscape, of the vines planted there and the sound that they make in the form of their fruits. Winemaking cannot create qualities that are not there in the grapes. Like the creature of mythology known as Echo, we can only express what is given to us." View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Echolands Winery
Forbes
18-06-2025
- Forbes
The Top American Wines, According To The Decanter World Wine Awards
A map of the USA made from wine corks. getty Six American wines took top honors at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Two California wines received Best of Show honors, while four wines earned Platinum medals. Below are brief descriptions and tasting notes on the six wines that Decanter judged the best in America. Clos du Val is a historic Napa Valley estate, renowned since the 1970s for crafting elegant Bordeaux varietals. Their Stags Leap District Cabernet Franc combines site-specific finesse and structured richness. The wine is a blend of 84% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, and 2% Carmenère. The wine features aromas of dark cherry, graphite, and fresh herbs. The palate showcases flavors of plum, subtle oak spice, with silky tannins and balanced acidity. The finish is long and polished with lingering black fruit notes. The DWWA Judging Panel described the wine as 'a show-stopper: opaque black, with a carnival of scent in which spice, flowers and damsons mingle with carefully schooled abandon. On the palate, the wine has splendid depth and width, just as its Cabernet Sauvignon offspring so often does in Napa; the difference is a lightness of touch here, an aerial grace, and a lithe ease of line to the tannins; the acidity remains tenderly supportive. Rarely does a wine from Stag's Leap leap so gracefully; the result is memorably drinkable.' Kenwood Vineyards is deeply rooted in Sonoma winemaking. The Six Ridges series highlights the distinctive mountain ridges that define Sonoma's terroir. This Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon shows the impact of regional terroir on California cabs. The wine features notes of ripe blackberry, cassis, and hints of mocha. The palate is rich and full-bodied, showcasing ripe dark berry richness, integrated oak, firm tannins, and a brisk acidity. The finish is long and structured, with lingering notes of red and black berries. The DWWA Judging Panel described the wine as showing 'a significantly different style to Napa: amply fleshed, yes, but with a savory, mountain wildness to that flesh, and with a different acid emphasis. The blend, with its seasoning of Petite Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, surely also plays a role in lending this wine its intriguing complexities.' 'It's black-red, with open, affably fruity aromas lent depth by a dry-forest warmth; on the palate, the wine has both breadth and depth as well as a compelling inner sweetness. The acidity is low but soft, while plump tannins with that distinctive savory nuance bring the wine resolution and balance.' Aerial view of vineyards in the Napa Valley wine country of CA as shot from a hot air balloon. Napa County is known for hundreds of hillside vineyards. Hot air ballooning is a popular activity for tourists. getty Four wineries, all based on the West Coast, were awarded Platinum medals at the 2025 DWWA. All four wines received a score of 97 out of 100 points. The tasting notes are drawn from the official Decanter Judging Panel's comments. Walla Walla-based Echolands Winery focuses on expressive, terroir-driven wines. The Blue Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Franc showcases the valley's bright fruit and refined structure. The wine is floral on the nose, featuring vibrant aromas of red currant and raspberry, with subtle notes of green pepper. The palate is medium-bodied, with fresh acidity and polished tannins. The finish is long and clean, with lingering minerally notes. Chandon California, the American arm of Moët & Chandon, has pioneered méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine since 1973. Etoile Brut is their flagship cuvée, aged extensively for layered complexity. It was selected as the highest-rated American sparkling wine. The wine features a fine mousse, exhibiting aromas of baked apple, brioche, and almond. The palate is creamy yet bright, with flavors of pear, citrus zest, and toasted nuts. The finish is long, elegant, and crisp, with lingering notes of apple and brioche. Cupere is a boutique label in the Sonoma Coast AVA, renowned for its minimalist winemaking approach. 'Faces' reflects coastal Pinot Noir's purity, with vivid fruit and earthy nuance. The wine features aromas of wild strawberry, cranberry, and a subtle hint of forest floor. The palate is light-bodied and silky, showcasing pronounced red berries with soft tannins and a brisk acidity. The finish is long, clean, and refreshing, with lingering notes of red berries. Domaine Serene is a benchmark Oregon producer acclaimed for its polished Pinot Noir and Chardonnay bottlings. Yamhill Cuvée highlights the best lots from estate vineyards across Yamhill County in Oregon's Willamette Valley. This wine is typically expressive and aromatic on the nose, featuring aromas of black cherry, rose petal, and baking spice. It's medium-bodied on the palate, with a silky texture that showcases layered red fruit notes and subtle oak nuances. The finish is usually long and elegant, with lingering notes of red fruit. The Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) is one of the world's largest and most influential wine competitions, organized annually by Decanter magazine since 2004. It attracts thousands of entries from over 50 countries, judged blind by top wine experts, including Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers. Renowned for its rigorous judging process and international credibility, a medal from the DWWA is a mark of exceptional quality and global recognition. Winning wines often gain significant attention from collectors, retailers, and wine enthusiasts alike. These six red wines, from three of the most exciting wine AVAs on the West Coast, were judged America's top wines. If your preference is for red wines, these six wines are not to be missed. They offer the layered, nuanced complexity characteristic of superb winemaking as well as an authentic representation of their regional terroir. Whether your passion is for Oregon's superlative Pinot noir or California's world-class Bordeaux blends, these wines are truly at the pinnacle of American winemaking.
