Chianti Gran Selezione - new benchmark label for DOCG’s premium wines

Chianti Classico is the first appellation in Italian viticultural history to apply a new quality tier to it’s wine. As of now, the term ‘Gran Selezione’, which slides in above ‘Riserva’ will be the benchmark label for the DOCG’s premium wines.

The term Gran Selezione will only cover around 10% of the appellation’s wines.
Read more here.

The Rise and Fall of the Super Tuscan Wines

"There was a time when Super Tuscans ruled the Italian wine world. The darlings of critics, their popularity (and cost) were unparalleled. Names such as Sassicaia and Solaia were the stars of restaurant wine lists. Nowadays, however, Super Tuscans are just not, well, that super anymore! "

"The actual term “Super Tuscan” is often attributed to Robert Parker, the famous U.S. wine critic that gave many of these wines high scores, driving demand and prices up. Producers started using it on labels and a new category was born, which proved a huge marketing success."

"By the 2000s, the Super Tuscans faced three challenges. Firstly, the “brand”, was diluted. Everyone (and their cousin!) was introducing so called "Super Tuscans" to the market and overall quality deteriorated badly.

Secondly, the true Super Tuscans became quite simply unapproachable. An Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore can easily cost upwards of $400 in a restaurant.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, wine enthusiasts started to shun the use of international varieties looking for a return to the native varieties of a terroir. For all these reasons the moniker is not used as much. The truly greats are still thriving but they don’t necessarily present themselves as Super Tuscans. Tignanello, Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Solaia, Le Pergole Torte are all amazing wines with certain vintages commanding impressive demand and prices."

From an article by Vincent de Rossi - Read more here

How about a great dinner with matching wines at Hattonchâtel Château?

Happy to organize a wine tasting and/or dinner in this beautiful entourage: Hattonchâtel Château.

How about the best whites from Alsace and the best reds from Tuscany paired with great food in a sumptuous dinner? Afterwards stay the night and sleep in a comfortable historic site.
Mail us ....and make a reservation!
#jolisoleil

Our planned "Local Wine Events"

Moving on with our business we posted some of our planned wine vacations on LocalWineEvents.
May, June, July we already scheduled some tours in Tuscany.

From August, September and October we will be in Alsace mostly.

This does NOT mean that we cannot tour with you in Alsace in June for example or in October in Tuscany.

Please tell us what you would want and when? We probably can be of service!

Cheers,
Terry & Pieter

Brunello is “ageless”, it is the wine of a lifetime

Brunello is “ageless”:

• it is the wine of a lifetime: a “mature” red when turning 18 
• on the threshold of adulthood, to pop open at graduation after five long years of studies at university and of ageing in the cellar, 
• a “certainty” like when you turn 35, 
• “reassuring” at 50 because it ages and improves over time, 
• an uncommitted “sin” to indulge in when reminiscing on life at 80 years of age, 
• an “exception” in the wine world that remains unflappable when it reaches the same age as those who extraordinarily turn 100.

Read more here.

Visit and taste these ageless wines with JoliSoleil Guided Tours.
Plan a tour via http://guidedtourstuscany.com

#jolisoleil

Independent Winegrowers Exhibition in Strasbourg

Much adventure is planned for 24 February 2014! We shall be attending the Independent Winegrowers Exhibition in Strasbourg, France. At 11.00 am  we will begin our adventure at 67000 Strasbourg.
Here we will be able to meet with over 560 French Winemakers, many of whom will be from our wine region in Alsace France.

Strasbourg, where we will be going, is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France, and the official seat of the European Parliament. She is a lovely city, full culture, mystic, and majesty. She has a lovely airport, and acts as a hub for the surrounding region, of which Alsace in all entirety is a cradle of humanity for many starts in life no matter how long ago.

The Alsace region can trace its wine making days back to Roman times. This is a lovely setting for wine and wine tasting, as I see it as the most storybook like place on earth. Dotted with castles, and half timbered homes, it is picturesque and lovely. The wine rout of Alsace is exceptionally beautiful, romantic, and full of lovely vineyards and 52 Grand Cru locations.

So this Sunday we will start our adventure attending "Salon Des Vins Des Vignerons Independants". With an investment of 6 euros we will receive a INAO tasting glass that has been engraved. We will be able to talk to the winemakers themselves about their history, wine and art. We will be sampling their wines and if we choose to take some home, YES!, we will be given 'farm gate' prices.

From viewing the information available I think it is lovely that the arrangement of the locations of the various wine makers is random. Yes we will have a catalog and be able to visit our favorite producers and see what is new, but also we will be in the mix and meet wonderful winemakers we still do not know.

There also will be stalls available to buy a baguette (sandwich of sorts). Also it is possible to purchase wines, and leave them as you keep tasting and looking around and collect them at the end of the visit via the facilities, by simply backing in your car. Which is very good if you've ever tried to tote much bottles around, you know this is not handy.

Days: 21 - 24 February - location: Wacken Strasbourg, checkout their website

Americans in Alsace - dive into history

This Friday we have an appointment with Americans in Alsace, which I am excited about. This is a club my husband joined for me, that will allow me to connect with other Americans living in this region.

As an American from California I knew a bit about wine before my arrival on this side of France. The good news is my palate has changed! I've learned to appreciate white wines a lot more. Chardonnay, which seemed to be the only white wine available at times, has taken a much needed back seat to Riesling, for me for sure. Also, my most profound moment in tasting wine in California was my first Gewurztraminer, which I first tasted somewhere around Napa, California.

Now since one year in Alsace I have tasted many, and though it still ranks as a high, I find I like a nice balanced Pinot Gris even more most of the time, but not always.

We will be visiting le Cave Historique des Hopital Civil in Strasbourg. This Hospital has a cave underground dating back to,,,wait for it,,,1395. Yeah I wrote 1395. 500 years!

Here we will have a 2 hour tour with 3 wine tastings! Of course my husband has been here before but it will be a first time for me, and I am much looking forward to this! Location is:  1 Place de l'Hopital, 67000.

Anyway, I am much looking forward to Friday, as it will be an action packed day!I will have my notebook and camera ready.
I wish you would join us, the more the merrier as the adventure continues.

Cheers from Terry!

We are on CNN - well: CNNi writes about JoliSoleil Guided Tours - Alsace

CNNi writes about JoliSoleil Guided Tours.
They love our travel packages for Alsace.

Read more here:
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