![Thanksgiving in Philly: perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s… [Find Recipe Inside]](https://philly.flavrreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/6D4A5499-1024x683.jpg)
Dominique Crenn, the Chef Behind movie “The Menu” on a global foodie adventure.
Chef Dominique Crenn, the first and only female chef in North America with three Michelin stars, helped the filmmakers of the horror movie “The Menu” bring to life the perfect menu for the main event which has been described as a real 9-courses culinary and artist masterpiece.
And now there is an opportunity for an intimate group of guests to meet, dine and discover with Dominique in person in France
Dominique Crenn, the Chef Behind movie “The Menu” on a global foodie adventure.
Enjoy Dominique Crenn for 5 days in France for a Hosted Experience with Satopia Travel
As the chief technical consultant for The Menu film, Dominique Crenn was responsible for advising on all aspects of food preparation and presentation to bring to life the concepts of the menu based on Seth Reiss and Will Tracy’s screenplay.
Crenn is known for her creative approach to cooking
She has been working closely with Mark Mylod, the director and producers to ensure that the film accurately portrays the culinary world.
Her menu is inspired by her travels and experiences around the world
Crenn is known for her creative approach to cooking, and her menu is often inspired by her travels and experiences around the world. Dishes that Dominique Crenn designed as a consultant are presented with the slow-motion pomp and string accompaniment of a “Chef’s Table” episode. Indeed, the food-worshiping Netflix series, which featured Crenn in season two, was an inspiration for “The Menu”.
There is an incredible opportunity for an intimate group of like-minded travelers
There is an incredible opportunity for an intimate group of like-minded travelers to meet chef, icon and activist Dominique Crenn.
In collaboration with Satopia Travel, Crenn conjures up five magical days and evenings where creativity and nature converge. Our most inspired Hosted Experience is a wonder to behold for our guests. Combining the magnificent culinary delights of triple Michelin star chef Dominique Crenn with the stunning backdrop of an ancient French chateau is certain to ignite your palette and spirit.
Dominique Crenn brings her soul to the feast
Dominique Crenn brings her soul to the feast, transforming ingredients through the poetry of gastronomy. Those fortunate to share her table and her stories will discover a world of passion and gratitude for food, community and life. You’ll create and share unforgettable memories.
Ancient olive groves, crisp French linen, the vintages of Cognac and the sound of boisterous laughter under a starlit sky. Step into a magical world of natural beauty, wonder and awe.
Booking is now open. Book before the 1st of January to take advantage of the holiday rates before prices increase.
About Satopia Travel
Satopia Travel (www.satopiatravel.com) specializes in unique experiences, led by world-class hosts. Providing guests with unprecedented access to some of the most extraordinary people on the planet, Satopia hosts world-class leaders who champion the potential for the future of humanity, creating meaningful connections through shared experiences. Every hosted experience has an element of giving back, either to a local community, social or environmental cause close to their heart.
Website http://satopiatravel.com
Instagram www.instagram.com/satopiatravel
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Drink like a Movie Star: Clarendelle, Domaine Clarence Dillon Return as Official Wine Partner of 97th Oscars
Drink like a Movie Star: Clarendelle & Domaine Clarence Dillon Return as Official Wine Partner of 97th Oscars
Clarendelle & Domaine Clarence Dillon Return as Official Wine Partner of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and Exclusive Wines Poured at the 97th Oscars Ceremony
Clarendelle and the family company Domaine Clarence Dillon announce the brand’s return as the official wine partner of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
Wine for the Academy
The Academy Awards, renowned for their glamour and celebration of cinematic excellence, also feature a notable emphasis on fine wines during their events. A substantial amount of wine is served to accommodate the numerous attendees. For instance, during the 90th Academy Awards, over 2,400 bottles of wine were provided, equating to approximately 14,000 glasses.
Annually, the Academy hosts several official events where wine is prominently featured. The most notable of these is the Governors Ball, the official post-ceremony celebration, where distinguished wines and champagnes are served to winners, nominees, and guests. In addition to the main ceremony and the Governors Ball, there are various pre-show receptions and ancillary gatherings throughout the awards season, each offering curated wine selections to complement the festivities.
These events underscore the Academy’s commitment to providing a luxurious and celebratory atmosphere, with fine wines playing a central role in the experience.
For the third consecutive year, the prestigious family-owned wine company will exclusively pour exceptional red and white wines at the 97th Oscars® ceremony.
This partnership bridges the world of fine wine and film, elevating the Oscars experience for Hollywood’s biggest stars.
In addition to delighting guests at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, Clarendelle and Domaine Clarence Dillon wines will be served at the iconic Governors Ball after the Oscars ceremony and the Official Oscars® Watch Party at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. This year, Governors Ball attendees can enjoy a glass of our elegant and contemporary wines while winners have their Oscar® statuettes engraved. The wines will also be perfectly complemented with a legendary gastronomic menu crafted by Wolfgang Puck Catering for an unforgettable evening.
“Before joining the family business, I began my career as a screenwriter, so to have the opportunity to partner with the Oscars for the third consecutive year is truly an honor,” said President and CEO of Domaine Clarence Dillon, Prince Robert of Luxembourg. “This collaboration is a natural extension of my family’s longstanding commitment and deep connection to film and the arts.”
Domaine Clarence Dillon will introduce two new wines for the star-studded events:
- La Clarté de Haut-Brion 2021: A sought-after white wine of rare delicacy with only 1,000 cases produced annually, La Clarté brings together the qualities of a fine white Bordeaux wine with fresh citrus and white flower aromas, followed by a crisp and refreshing finish of lemony brightness.
- Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2015: Château Haut-Brion became the first Bordeaux vineyard to be named after its terroir, making the estate the first luxury brand in the world. The exquisite red Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2015 is similar in style and elegance to its elder and encompasses all unique attributes of a fine wine with an attractive profile – smooth yet powerful, tasty and full-bodied, with notes of ripe fruit leaving an impression of freshness and volume, without heaviness.
Among the returning wine favorites are:
- Clarendelle Bordeaux White 2023: A refined and elegant wine, offering bright citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit, balanced by the smooth sweetness of pear and lychee.
- Clarendelle Bordeaux Red 2016: A wine with fruity aromas of red fruit and blackcurrant alongside floral overtones balanced by great tannic power and delicious velvety texture.
- Clarendelle Amberwine 2021: A complex, well-concentrated and modern sweet wine distinguished by its freshness and harmonious balance of floral fruit and acidity with a smooth finish.
Founded in 1935, Domaine Clarence Dillon is a family-owned group renowned for its prestigious Bordeaux estates, including Château Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, and Château Quintus. Under the leadership of Prince Robert of Luxembourg, the company has earned a global reputation for excellence in winemaking, joining Primum Familiae Vini, an international association of some of the world’s finest wine producing families. Domaine Clarence Dillon has long been a supporter of the arts, with Prince Robert’s background and screenwriting playing an essential role in merging the worlds of wine and cinema by bringing Clarendelle and Domaine Clarence Dillon to the biggest night in Hollywood.
For more information, follow on Instagram @clarendelle @chateauhautbrion_ @chateaulamissionhautbrion @chateauquintus @leclarenceparis.
Philly Orders The White Lotus Season 3 with Patrick Schwarzenegger Sipping Ketel One Family Made Vodka and Tanqueray Gin
‘Sip into The White Lotus’ with Patrick Schwarzenegger for Season 3 with Ketel One Family Made Vodka and Tanqueray Gin
Ketel One Family Made Vodka, one of the bestselling and top trending vodkas (Drinks International, 2025), and Tanqueray Gin, the seven-time winner of the bartenders’ choice of gin (Drinks International, 2023), have long been at the forefront of cocktail culture, consistently shaping and elevating the craft with their unwavering dedication to quality and innovation.
The Cocktail Culture of The White Lotus: Sipping in Style
HBO’s The White Lotus isn’t just known for its biting satire and stunning backdrops—it’s also quietly shaped the world of cocktail culture. Set against the luxurious resorts of Hawaii and Sicily, the show’s characters are often seen clutching artfully crafted drinks, turning simple sips into statements about wealth, indulgence, and escapism. In Season 1, tropical classics like the Mai Tai and Pineapple Daiquiri make frequent appearances, aligning with the show’s Hawaiian setting and nodding to the tiki cocktail revival. These vibrant, rum-based drinks not only complement the scenery but also subtly underscore themes of paradise lost.
Season 2 shifts to Sicily, and with it comes a more European drinking aesthetic. Think Aperol Spritzes, Negronis, and chilled white wines, evoking la dolce vita while masking the tension simmering beneath the surface. The show’s cocktail choices aren’t just background props—they reflect character dynamics and mood. For example, Tanya’s over-the-top drink orders often mirror her chaotic, lavish lifestyle.
Since its debut, The White Lotus has inspired bartenders and fans alike to recreate its signature drinks, blending TV-inspired nostalgia with real-world cocktail trends. Whether it’s a Mai Tai or a Spritz, every glass tells a story.
In an exciting collaboration with Max and HBO, the two iconic brands invite fans of The White Lotus to experience the timeless elegance and charm that define both the series and their curated cocktail creations.
In anticipation of the series returning on February 16, on Max and HBO, Ketel One Vodka and Tanqueray Gin introduce, ‘Sip into The White Lotus,’ a dynamic, multifaceted collaboration which includes series-inspired cocktails, Thailand destination giveaway, immersive events and engaging content.
“Our partnership with Max and HBO’s hit series The White Lotus is a perfect blend of luxury and sophistication. The show’s exploration of timeless hospitality aligns perfectly with the craftsmanship behind Ketel One Vodka and Tanqueray Gin, both of which are synonymous with the highest standards of quality,” said Julie Yufe, Senior Vice President of Vodka, Gin and Rum at DIAGEO North America. “The show is a cultural phenomenon, creating its own universe of intrigue and vibrancy. As consumers increasingly value experiences, we’ve been intentional about crafting fan-centric moments where our brands can create memorable occasions with every sip.”
Inspired by the show’s luxurious destinations, the partnership with Max and HBO kicks off with an original short film starring actor and entrepreneur Patrick Schwarzenegger, who whisks viewers away to a dreamy Thai escape. As Patrick mixes The White Lotus Vesper Martini—crafted with Ketel One Vodka and Tanqueray Gin to embody the captivating elegance fans expect from the show—he invites viewers to immerse themselves in the world of The White Lotus, exploring its story, characters, and the lavish setting of the highly anticipated new season.
“Being part of the cast of The White Lotus has been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to partner with Ketel One Vodka and Tanqueray gin to bring fans closer to the unforgettable moments of season three,” said Schwarzenegger. “Just like these iconic spirits, The White Lotus is all about storytelling and savoring every experience. I can’t wait to watch the new season unfold while toasting The White Lotus Vesper Martini with friends and family.”
To toast to season three of HBO’s The White Lotus, Ketel One Vodka and Tanqueray Gin have crafted exclusive cocktails inspired by the season’s stunning Thailand setting: The White Lotus Vesper Martini and The White Lotus Punch.
The White Lotus Vesper Martini is an elegant twist on the traditional cocktail, featuring Ketel One Vodka and Tanqueray London Dry Gin as its smooth, classic base. It delivers a refined, refreshing tasting sip with a sophisticated balance of dry and fruity notes. A French white wine aperitif adds crispness, while lychee liqueur imparts a delicate floral sweetness. The White Lotus Punch strikes a perfect balance between tart and tropical, making it the ideal cocktail for any getaway. With a vibrant blend of Ketel One Vodka and Tanqueray London Dry Gin, it showcases tropical flavors of pineapple, mango, and lime. The gin lends a hint of herbal complexity, while the tropical fruits provide sweet, juicy depth.
The unique creations tap into a feeling of luxury familiar to a White Lotus guest while reimagining how fans can enjoy cocktails with a modern twist. Featured in The White Lotus limited-edition cocktail kits, these perfect accessories for viewing parties include everything needed to craft season three-inspired drinks at home. Fans 21+ can purchase the kits at https://www.cocktailcourier.com/pages/the-white-lotus-cocktails.
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The White Lotus Punch ¾ oz. Ketel One Vodka ½ oz. Tanqueray London Dry Gin 1 oz. lime juice ¾ oz. mango syrup 2 oz. pineapple juice
Combine all ingredients into a highball glass filled with crushed ice and stir. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and serve. |
The White Lotus Vesper Martini ¾ oz. Ketel One Vodka ½ oz. Tanqueray London Dry Gin ¼ oz. French white wine aperitif 1 bar spoon or teaspoon lychee liqueur 1 bar spoon or teaspoon butterfly pea tea
Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lychee. |
Thanksgiving in Philly: perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s… [Find Recipe Inside]
This Thanksgiving in NYC, the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s brioche. As in St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
No Thanksgiving spread is complete without a hearty stuffing. While add-ins are a matter of preference, choosing the right bread is crucial. One underrated choice is eggy, rich brioche – and with St Pierre Bakery, you don’t need to go to France to get it.
Thanks to its butter and egg content, St Pierre’s Brioche Loaf provides the perfect balance of crisp toastiness while remaining soft and creamy inside, while its lightly sweet flavor adds a decadent quality that can still lean savory. Attached below is an approachable recipe for stuffing allowing for all the craveable crunch for the whole family with minimal effort required.
St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
By @BrandiMilloy
Ingredients
1 loaf St. Pierre Brioche Bread
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 medium onion, diced
3/4 cup celery, diced
3/4 cup carrots, diced
1 cup mushrooms, diced
2 large eggs
1 tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
3 sprigs fresh thyme, just the leaves
1 tbsp. fresh sage, chopped
1 small apple (granny smith works well), peeled and diced
Salt and pepper
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350 F. Cut brioche bread into 1” cubes and bake for about 10-15 minutes until toasted.
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Meanwhile, into a pot over medium high heat add butter until melted. Add onion, celery and carrots and cook until everything starts to soften, about 7 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat and set aside.
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Into a bowl whisk together the eggs, herbs, apples, mushrooms, and salt and pepper. Add your cooked vegetables and mix to combine.
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Pour mixture on top of toasted bread and stir to combine. Bake stuffing for about 45 minutes. If your stuffing starts to get too brown, cover until finished baking. Enjoy!
As America’s favorite brioche brand, St Pierre’s products are widely available via grocery stores nationwide as well as Walmart.
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Philly’s Top Halloween Events in 2022 (Updated)
October is here! Time for Philly’s Top Halloween Events in 2022
The City of Brotherly Love hosts some of the US’s biggest parties, festivals and parades.
There’s plenty of ways to celebrate the spooky season this year Liberty Bell Land, from family friendly fun to adult-level screams and scares.
We’re listing them all out for you, and updating them as we discover more.
Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary
Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary
Fairmount’s historic prison gets divided into five separate haunted house experiences: Delirium (in 3D), Machine Shop, The Crypt, Big Top Terror and Nightmares. There’s also a vampire-themed Bloodline Lounge for Halloween cocktails, live dance performances by the Skeleton Crew in the Gargoyle Gardens, a beer garden, tours and more.
$34; September 23rd-November 12th, Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Avenue.
For more information on Eastern State Penitentiary Halloween Nights
The Nightmare Before Tinsel
This Halloween pop-up bar is located in an abandoned jewelry store. Imagine skeletons, a giant smoke-breathing dragon, creepy baby dolls and more. Of course, the drink menu does not disappoint either. The Blood Bag (filled with cranberry juice), skull-shaped specialty shots (take the skull home with you), and more served up in Halloween spirits.
Open now through October 31st, 116 South 12th Street.
For more information on Tinsel Philly
Fright Factory
Fright Factory
Venture into the basement of this 120+ year old factory split into three different frightening themes to explore, complete with scare-actors, special effects, and elaborate set design.
$30-$45; select dates through October 31st, 2200 South Swanson Street.
For more information on Fright Factory.
Bates Motel
Bates Motel
This haunted motel is worth the drive out to Delco. The Philly favorite known for production design has a 25-minute haunted hayride through Arasapha Farm. Plus, a haunted corn maze called Revenge of the Scarecrows!
$40-$125; September 23rd-October 31st, 1835 Middletown Road, Glen Mills.
For more information on Delco’s Bates Motel
Founding Footsteps ‘Bad Things’ Philly Tour
Taking place on a haunted BYOB trolley with live music and performances, Founding Footsteps is a locally inspired true crime tour of Philly! The tour runs Thursdays through Saturdays all October long (and the first weekend of November), and your $48 ticket also includes one cocktail from PJ Clarke’s, where the tour begins. Tickets available online.
$48; weekends through November 4th, begins and ends at Curtis Building, 6th and Walnut streets.
For more information Founding Footsteps ‘Bad Things’ Philly Tour
Uptown Upside Down
The Uptown Beer Garden is getting spooky this year with a Stranger Things-themed experience! Step inside a circa-1983 Hawkins, Indiana, with plenty of photo ops based on the show (Demodogs! Demogorgons! Vecna!), plus themed cocktails in take-home souvenir glassware.
September 30th-October 31st, Uptown Beer Garden, 1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
For more information on Uptown Upside Down
Trick or Treat (adult version) at Chaddsford Winery
Join a Chaddsford Wine Guide on a walking tour to visit five Halloween-themed pairing stations.
You’ll get a keepsake Halloween wine glass, plus plenty of wine and snacks, in a one-of-a-kind trick-or-treat experiences that’s 21-and-up only. After the 45-minute spooky walk, return back for more wine (or beer) by the glass, plus food from the Common Good Food Truck.
$35; Saturdays and Sundays in October, Chaddsford Winery, 632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford.
For more information on Chaddsford Wine Trick or Treat
Laurel Hill Cemetery Tours
Take a scary October spooky tour through this historic graveyard, including their classic Halloween flashlight tours.
See their whole calendar of events and choose a perfectly macabre tour here.
For more information Laurel Hill Cemetery Tours
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Philly, Valentine’s Day is Here! Sommelier Jaime Smith shares Romantic Wines
Philly, Valentine’s Day is Here! Sommelier Jaime Smith shares romantic wines.
It’s that time of the year again and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner.
How should should you celebrate this holiday with your partner?
There is always a ton of pushback on these kinds of consumer targeted holidays, a new gripe is thrown in every year but why not just embrace it? The news cycles are dire, the world is changing so quickly, why not just grab ahold of this silly tradition and go with it, have fun, the other 75% of the world is.
Let loose, grab a bottle and relax.
While we are at it, why not visit some of the country’s most dynamic wine spots and the fab people who run them and let them help you choose that bottle of wine this year?
Not only are these wine stores and bars dynamic but their philosophies of inclusion & acceptance should be something we all should be aligning with ourselves.
We all struggle sometimes to find that perfect bottle for ourselves, these pros can guide you to your sweet spot.
Cheerful, friendly and quite bad ass, these stores are female/minority/handi-capable run and offer terrific selections from well-priced bottles of sparkling/still or dessert wine along with some distilled choices and the non-alcoholic too.
Wine in New York City for Valentine’s Day
NYC- big city of dreams and a place where everything is possible.
Beaupierre’s Yannick Benjamin
Yannick Benjamin and his wife Heidi Turzyn have recently opened Beaupierre in Hells Kitchen.
The store is a “…barrier-free wine store that supports social sustainability to enrich the quality of life for people living with disabilities as well as members of the BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and other marginalized communities…
…an ‘open-door’ establishment
where everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or disabilities,
is always welcome.”
Beaupierre’s Heidi Turzyn
Not only are they the most inspirational couple you will ever meet but they will help you pick that special bottle for Valentine’s Day.
If you are ever in Harlem, you should most definitely visit their restaurant Contento (it practices the same philosophies as the store).
2020 Maison Chantereves, Aligote, Les Chagniots, Bourgogne, France
A fave bottle these days: 2020 Maison Chantereves, Aligote, Les Chagniots, Bourgogne, France
Visit Beaupierre in Hells Kitchen
Visit their restaurant Contento
Wine in Las Vegas for Valentine’s Day
Las Vegas- the city of lights and luck
Las Vegas is a terrific wine city and 2 places to visit for expert advice are Ada’s Wine bar and Lamaii.
First up Ada’s, run by the utterly fantastic human Ms. Kat Thomas and her infectious positivity. Ada’s has a global selection of well curated and socially conscious selections.
Ada’s Wine Bar, Ms Kat Thomas
A fave bottle of sweets for the sweetie:
2018 Sauternes, Château Gilette ‘Les Justices’, Bordeaux, France
2018 Sauternes, Château Gilette ‘Les Justices’, Bordeaux, France
Lamaii’s Bank Atcharawan
Next up in the neon city is a Thai sommelier/chef named Bank Atcharawan and his growing empire of hot wine centric spots.
Lamaii has some of the best Thai food in the US (he is part of the Lotus of Siam alums, the wine brain behind them) and his wife Pimmie are the consummate hosts, go chat about Burgundy and Germany!
MV Rolland Champion , Champagne
A fave V-day bottle of bubbles:
MV Rolland Champion, Champagne
Shop Lamaii here
Wine in Washington DC for Valentine’s Day
Washington DC- The nations capital is a hot bed for natural wines and inclusivity.
Domestique Wine Shop’s Eric Moorer
Two spots to not miss are Domestique Wine Shop and Vitis Wines.
Domestique is hands down the best natural wine shop in the country and Eric Moorer is part of the reason, an encyclopedia of all things natty and a proponent for the culture.
2019 Domaine Dupasquier, Mondeuse, Savoie, France
Fave natty selection:
2019 Domaine Dupasquier, Mondeuse, Savoie, France
Shop Domestique Wine Shop
Vitis Wine Bar is located in Union market and run by one of its owners, Vanessa Phillips, a Kansas transplant and she-boss. The store has female & BIPOC centric choices with a great value all tightly wrapped in a small footprint.
Vitis Wine Bar’s Vanessa Phillips
Fave store pic:
2019 Beaujolais Villages, Jean Foillard
2019 Beaujolais Villages, Jean Foillard
Visit and shop Vitis Wine Bar
Wine in Charleston, SC for Valentine’s Day
Charleston, SC- The gem of a city along the Atlantic coast
Femi Oyediran, Graft Wine Shop
A simply amazing wine store called Graft and run by one of the owners Mr. Femi Oyediran. Femi is a well renowned Sommelier and probably one of the most affable folks in the wine biz. The store is a treasure trove of wines, from nerdy to classic.
Fave domestic red:
2021 Trousseau, Phelan Farms, Cambria, CA (a Rajat Parr production)
Visit and shop at Graft
About Sommelier Jaime Smith
Sommelier Jaime Smith
a drone in the Sommelier Brain Collective. Jaime Smith loves wine. He’s currently in DC causing havoc.
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Languedoc Wines bring Perfect Dinner Pairings, led by Erik Segelbaum
Languedoc Wines bring flavor and French history to NYC, led by Advanced Sommelier Erik Segelbaum, with the goal of more restaurant exposure and happy diners.
Langeudoc is a postcard perfect area of sloped hills, lush ocean views and deep horizons in Southern France nestled along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, the famous Rhone river and Provence in the east.
Curious wine drinkers eyes just perked up. Why? Those who understand, know the area has a lot of magic.
While the land is not as known as illustrious neighbors Bordeaux and Rhone, its quality is competitive and its price tag is far more attractive.
The Languedoc region produces conversation bottles.
It’s the bottle someone reaches across the table for – because it’s different, it’s more of a mystery – and that person’s palate is in the mood to investigate a playful pairing.
All these curious reasons led me to NYC’s The Winery for a masterclass of learning and tasting.
Advanced Sommelier Erik Segelbaum
Luckily we were led by Advanced Sommelier Erik Segelbaum, who has more than 30 years of experience, was named Food & Wine Magazine’s 2019 Sommelier of the Year and 2020 Wine Enthusiast 40 and 40 Tastemaker.
Beyond the credentials, what makes Erik great for today’s class is his unique approach.
See, Langeudoc hopes to get their wines in more restaurants: in today’s class more than half the people in the room work in NYC restaurants and wine bars and Erik understands that territory very well. He has been Beverage Director, Head Somm, Wine Director at restaurants around the country – so he knows how to explain to the restaurants how to get these bottles onto their wine lists and how to sell them – smart move by Languedoc!
The History
Languedoc has a robust and varied history with winemaking proving their villages keep innovating and the world follows.
The story starts back in the 1200s (when they were discovering wine fortification) and fast-forwards to the 1700s when a twist of fate forced the vineyards to move up the hillside – which became an unexpected blessing as the grapes flourished even better in their new, windier climate.
We keep going and in 1903, the area was a pioneer launching the world’s first organic expo. Something that even today, over a 100 years later, many competitors around the world are still behind on.
Some wines with bold, chewy tannins? Yes. Others with refreshing acidity? Yes.
We’ll get to tasting shortly.
But let’s spend a brief moment understanding the area that’s creating such vibrant flavors.
Languedoc Land
Five large areas with over 20 AOPs and those twenty are grouped in three very different climates: Mediterranean Coast, Atlantic Coast, Hills and Mountains.
Mediterranean, as you might imagine, offers long, warm summers with heavy sunshine and mild winters harvesting grapes Piquepoul, Bourboulenc, Clairette and Muscat.
Atlantic is quite different with consistent chills and cross-winds that deliver Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Chardonnay grapes.
Pacific, as you’d expect from the pattern emerging, is even more different. It’s intense. Dry and hot in the summer, cold in the winter. Warm days, cool nights. And this vigorous energy delivers rich, tannic reds like Mouvedre and Syrah.
Languedoc’s Future
Much like the wines themselves, Langedoc’s future continues to open up more and more showing a sense of depth, complexity – while, yes, also being ready to go today.
Nine of their wineries are less than 20 years old. They are a leader in the “Old World” turning toward organic and eco-friendly treatments. They’re excited to reach a new generation of younger wine drinkers with their message and their culture.
So, let’s have a taste.
There were over 20 wines being poured, showcasing varieties from sparkling to light white to big, bold reds. Everything from pairing with fresh oysters to gamey pheasant.
Here are my tasting highlights:
Domaine Saint-martin D’agel Le Pèlerin 2020
On the nose: juniper and fresh spices rise from the glass.
Mouth: soft, supple mouth feel, with relaxed tannins
The finish had an invigorating acidity.
Delicious to pair with grilled herbs.
Gerard Bertrand AN 825 Cremant de Limoux Brut Rose 2019
On the nose: effervescent, gushing with red fruit
Mouth: gush of strawberry;
Finish is crisp and refreshing.
Pair with citrus-dressed salads or even spicy BBQ,
Villa Noria La Serr Picpoul de Pinet
Nose: zesty, floral and refreshing
Mouth: lemony and citrus aromas with a lovely texture
Finish: bright, uplifting finish.
Pair with mussels and fresh oysters
Domaine de brau Cuvee Etymologie 2020
Nose: Aromas of red and black fruits
Mouth: A delicate mix of vegetation and spices
Finish: A clean, crisp finish
Pair with tri tip and roasted pheasant
