Kendrick Lamar – The Big Steppers Tour Aug 4 at DC’s Capital One Arena
Hours after releasing the week’s most buzzed-about album, Kendrick Lamar has announced an international tour that includes a Washington, DC stop.
DC’s Capital One Arena on Aug. 4
The Los Angeles rapper will play DC’s Capital One Arena on Aug. 4, part of his five-month Big Steppers Tour. Baby Keem, Lamar’s cousin and frequent collaborator, will open the show.
Kendrick Lamar’s The Big Steppers Tour
The Big Steppers Tour is Lamar’s first big outing since 2018, which included a visit to DTE Energy Music Theatre.
Friday’s tour announcement comes on the heels of “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,” released overnight. The 18-track double set is Lamar’s fifth studio album and first in five years.
Related:
Bad Bunny’s World’s Hottest Tour stops at DC’s Nationals Park on Aug 23
Kendrick Lamar, The Big Steppers Tour, show dates
North American Leg
July 19 – Oklahoma City, Okla. – Paycom Center
July 21 – Austin – Moody Center
July 22 – Houston – Toyota Center
July 23 – Dallas – American Airlines Center
July 24 – Miami – Rolling Loud
July 27 – Tampa, Fla. – Amalie Arena
July 29 – New Orleans – Smoothie King Center
July 30 – Atlanta – State Farm Arena
July 31 – Nashville – Bridgestone Arena
Aug. 2 – Charlotte – Spectrum Center
Aug. 4 – Washington, D.C. – Capital One Arena
Aug. 5 – Brooklyn, N.Y. – Barclays Center
Aug. 6 – Brooklyn, N.Y. – Barclays Center
Aug. 7 – Long Island, N.Y. – UBS Arena
Aug. 9 – Philadelphia – Wells Fargo Center
Aug. 10 – Boston – TD Garden
Aug. 12 – Toronto – Scotiabank Arena
Aug. 13 – Toronto, Scotiabank Arena
Aug. 14 – Detroit – Little Caesars Arena
Aug. 16 – Columbus, Ohio – Schottenstein Center
Aug. 18 – Milwaukee – Fiserv Forum
Aug. 19 – Chicago – United Center
Aug. 20 – Minneapolis – Xcel Energy Center
Aug. 21 – Kansas City – T-Mobile Center
Aug. 23 – Denver – Ball Arena
Aug. 24 – Salt Lake City – Vivint Smart Home Arena
Aug. 26 – Portland, Ore. – Moda Center
Aug. 27 – Seattle – Climate Pledge Arena
Aug. 28 – Vancouver, B.C. – Rogers Arena
Aug. 30 – Sacramento – Golden 1 Center
Aug. 31 – Oakland, Calif. – Oakland Arena
Sept. 1 – Oakland, Calif. – Oakland Arena
Sept. 6 – San Diego – Viejas Arena at San Diego State University
Sept. 7 – Anaheim, Calif. – Honda Center
Sept. 9 – Las Vegas – T-Mobile Arena
Sept. 10 – Phoenix – Footprint Center
Sept. 14 – Los Angeles – Crypto.com Arena
Sept. 15 – Los Angeles – Crypto.com Arena
Overseas leg
Oct. 7 – Amsterdam – Ziggo Dome
Oct. 10 – Prague – O2 Arena
Oct. 11 – Berlin – Mercedes-Benz Arena
Oct. 13 – Hamburg – Barclays Arena
Oct. 15 – Copenhagen – Royal Arena
Oct. 17 – Stockholm – Avicii Arena
Oct. 19 – Oslo – Telenor Arena
Oct. 21 – Paris – Accor Arena
Oct. 24 – Stuttgart – Scheleyerhalle
Oct. 25 – Zurich – Hallenstadion
Oct. 26 – Laussane – Vaudoise Aréna
Oct. 28 – Antwerp – Sportpaleis
Oct. 30 – Cologne – Lanxess Arena
Oct. 31 – Frankfurt – Festhalle
Nov. 2 – Glasgow – OVO Hydro
Nov. 3 – Leeds – First Direct Arena
Nov. 4 – Newcastle – Utilita Arena
Nov. 5 – Birmingham – Utilita Arena
Nov. 7 – London – The O2
Nov. 8 – London – The O2
Nov. 13 – Dublin – 3Arena
Nov. 16 – Manchester – AO Arena
Dec. 1 – Perth – RAC Arena
Dec. 4 – Melbourne – Rod Laver Arena
Dec. 8 – Sydney – Qudos Bank Arena
Dec. 12 – Brisbane – Entertainment Center
Dec. 16 – Auckland – Spark Arena
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DC’s Apéro, Napa’s Be Bubbly, NYC’s Coqodaq: Top 10 Bars and Restaurants for Champagne from Bureau du Champagne
Napa’s Be Bubbly, NYC’s Coqodaq, DC’s Apéro: Top 10 Bars and Restaurants for Champagne from Bureau du Champagne
From Napa to DC to Manhattan and just 7 other sparkling stops!
Bureau du Champagne, USA today announced its annual list of the Top 10 Bars and Restaurants where Champagne plays a starring role. The list, now in its third year, recognizes establishments that elevate and celebrate the uniqueness of the sparkling wine that comes only from Champagne, France.
Released in advance of Champagne Day 2024, the list showcases Champagne standouts in every U.S. region. It recognizes restaurants and bars that take special care to offer Champagnes from a wide variety of producers, list them properly on their menus, and serve them with élan.
“We received nominations for spectacular bars and restaurants across the country, and selected from them a list of destinations that embody the spirit of Champagne,”
Lori Russo
Director,
the Bureau du Champagne, USA.
“While these restaurants and bars differ in style, spanning the spectrum from fine dining to fried chicken, they all have one thing in common: they understand what makes Champagne special. For that, we couldn’t be prouder to raise a glass to them on Champagne Day and the rest of the year.”
The full list of this year’s featured bars and restaurants can be found below in alphabetical order:
- Apéro, Washington, DC: Apéro’s list of more than 700 wines places special emphasis on Champagne. The intimate setting in DC’s popular Georgetown neighborhood is an ideal spot to explore an extensive list of Champagnes smartly organized by style.
- Be Bubbly, Napa, Calif.: In the heart of California wine country, Be Bubbly takes care to showcase Champagne with a menu that includes a map of the region’s five wine-producing districts and a philosophy of Champagne as a celebration of life.
- Boiler Room, Omaha: The wine list at this terroir-focused restaurant, originally conceived by a Master Sommelier, offers a broad range of Champagnes at varying price points so everyone can join in the celebration.
- Charleston, Baltimore: The wine program at Charleston emphasizes the special relationship between wine and food. The Champagne list, which spans three pages of its menu, explains the magic of Champagne along with a diversity of tasting profiles.
- Coqodaq, New York: Proving the versatility of Champagne, Coqodaq pairs the sparkling wine with both caviar and its signature bucket of Korean fried chicken.
- Coupes, Dallas: Coupes bills itself as a bar for Champagne. True to its name, its vast menu of Champagnes explains that “Champagne is a sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wines are Champagne.”
- Fizz Champagne & Bubbles Bar, Sacramento, Calif.: Fizz believes in celebrating everyday triumphs with Champagne. Its menus and events elevate Champagne from France and distinguish it from other sparkling wines.
- La Vie, Waikiki, Hawaii: La Vie’s emphasizes farm-to-table dining with French flair, so its large selection of vintage and non-vintage Champagnes creates the perfect complement, and the view is special, too.
- Pops for Champagne, Chicago: Known for its special events, tastings, Champagne education and a vast list of Champagnes of every style, Pops has been dazzling Chicago with Champagne since 1982.
- Sexy Fish, Miami: The extraordinary interior of this Brickell restaurant is matched only by its extensive list of Champagnes both accessible and rare.
For more information on Champagne Day or to find an event near you, visit champagneday.champagne.fr. More events will be added in the near future, so check back often.
Bureau du Champagne, USA, is the official U.S. representative of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), a trade association representing the houses and winegrowers of Champagne, France. The Bureau works to advance the CIVC’s mission of defending the interests of the Champagne appellation worldwide through education and advocacy. For more information, visit us online at www.champagne.us.
DC to TX for Gin: Self-made Billionaire John Paul DeJoria acquires Waterloo Gin
Self-made Billionaire John Paul DeJoria acquires Waterloo Gin
Passionate entrepreneur and philanthropist John Paul DeJoria, the self-made billionaire founder of Patrón Tequila and Paul Mitchell hair care, has announced the purchase of Waterloo Gin, the first gin brand distilled in Texas.
Developed by Treaty Oak Distilling in Dripping Springs, Texas, near Austin, Waterloo Gin was launched in 2009, named after Austin’s original name – Waterloo – before the city was rechristened in the 1830s for Texas pioneer Stephen F. Austin.
Waterloo is known for its exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and unique flavor profile that blends fruits and botanicals that perfectly capture the Texas Hill Country.
The brand’s flagship Waterloo No. 9 Gin (94 proof) is crafted in the New American style, distilled with nine local botanicals including lavender, grapefruit, and pecan. The other expression in the Waterloo portfolio, Waterloo Antique Gin (also 94 proof), spends two years in first-use medium char American white oak barrels, matured under the hot Texas sun to develop rich wood flavors that complement the herbal notes of the base Waterloo No. 9. Both Waterloo Gins are naturally 100% gluten, carb, and additive free.
“Waterloo is an extraordinarily high-quality, innovative and world-class spirit, a gin I’m certain that people will enjoy,” says DeJoria, who founded Patrón Tequila in 1989 and built it into a $5.1 billion business when it was sold to Bacardi in 2018.
“I’m very honored for the opportunity to help grow this incredible brand, and share Waterloo Gin with more bartenders, retailers, and consumers all across the country.”
The company will be led by CEO Justin Meigs, who was previously an original member of the Empress Gin executive team that launched and grew the brand to over 260,000 annual case sales in 5 years, prior to the company’s exit in 2022.
“I’m incredibly excited about this new chapter for the Waterloo brand, now in the capable hands of John Paul DeJoria and his talented team of spirits industry veterans,” says Daniel Barnes, the founder of Waterloo at Treaty Oak. “Their deep industry experience and passion for cultivating and growing brands gives me great confidence that Waterloo will continue to flourish and reach new consumers everywhere.”
Though the recipe, production process, and brand name for Waterloo Gin will not change, the brand packaging and imagery will undergo a comprehensive refresh, with expanded national distribution, early next year.
Currently, Waterloo is available through Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) in Texas and Breakthru Beverage in Florida.
Additionally, customers in other states can purchase Waterloo online at www.waterloogin.com/shop-gin.
DC Seizes Tonight: Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Launches “Seize Tonight”
Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey released an engaging new commercial to support the recently launched “Seize Tonight” which encourages fans of Larceny to unleash their carefree spirit and get into some “good mischief”.
The brand will also extend its reach with Community Ambassadors who embody this same spirit in the gaming, music and food scenes to create compelling content which highlights the craftsmanship behind Larceny Bourbon and their respective passions.
Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Launches “Seize Tonight” Screenshot
The “Seize Tonight” campaign is centered around the idea that the most memorable moments happen when you let curiosity get the best of you and take a little risk – much like John E. Fitzgerald himself.
On the heels of its successful premium packaging redesign, the brand will debut an engaging new ad on premium streaming platforms directed by award-winning commercial film director André Betz.
The spot shows how Larceny can be the catalyst for turning an ordinary evening into a memorable one.
The hero seizes the opportunity to liven his friends’ night out by playing the piano after seeing a compelling vision of a keyhole ignite on the instrument. The crowd is surprised to hear the piano play, partly because the hero is so good, but also because the piano is clearly off limits. The spot reaches a pivotal moment when the stern bartender walks over to tell off the hero, only to reveal that she’s there to pour him a glass of Larceny in appreciation of his spontaneity.
Both the 30-second video, as well as 15-second version, will be streamed on Connected TV and Online Video.
The “Seize Tonight” campaign’s manifesto will be brought to life by expanding the brand’s reach and appeal beyond the traditional bourbon drinker through influential Community Ambassadors in the gaming, music and food scenes.
LP Giobbi is a celebrated DJ, producer, pianist, and activist, known for her innovative sound and impactful contributions to music and advocacy.
BlackKrystel is a dominant force in in the world of gaming and has made her mark as an efficacious voice for carefree, authentic fun.
Fabrizio Villalpando is a no-holds-barred home cook whose bold attitude towards entertaining through food has left a mark in the culinary scene.
Justin Sajda is a self-described “average guy who makes above average cocktails” whose creative concoctions elevate the spirits he serves behind the bar and on social media where he can be found @thirstywhale_.
Unlike many other bourbons, Larceny is made with wheat instead of the traditional rye, using a mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat and 12% malted barley. The use of 20% wheat as the secondary flavor grain is 25% more than the leading competitor, resulting in exceptional smoothness. Larceny Small Batch is available nationwide at a SRP of $27.99 and the new, premium packaging is now shipping. Individual batches of Larceny Barrel Proof are released nationally on an allocated basis three times annually at a SRP of $64.99 and will be bottled in the new packaging starting this fall.
Fans of Larceny are encouraged to enjoy it straight, on the rocks or in the classic Paper Plane cocktail.
ABOUT LARCENY BOURBON
The story of Larceny begins with John E. Fitzgerald, a bonded U.S. Treasury agent with a penchant for thievery of the best Bourbon.
Using his keys to let himself into rickhouses at night, the “Fitzgerald Barrels”, as they came to be known, became one of America’s most beloved whiskeys after Prohibition with the launch of Old Fitzgerald.
Today, the John E. Fitzgerald story continues through Larceny, an incredibly smooth and exceptional small batch Wheated Bourbon. First brought to market in 2012, Larceny is one of the most successful new-to-the-world Bourbons in the past decade.
Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the brand offers Larceny Small Batch and Larceny Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Since its inception, Larceny has been an award-winning, best in class Bourbon receiving accolades such as Double Gold at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year in 2020. F
or more information, please visit www.larcenybourbon.com.
Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”
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Taste of Iceland Festival Kicks Off U.S. Tour in Washington, D.C., March 8-9
Taste of Iceland Festival Kicks Off U.S. Tour in Washington, D.C., March 8-9
Taste of Iceland 2024, organized by Inspired by Iceland, returns to Washington, D.C., Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9. The cultural festival celebrates the land of fire and ice with events across the city showcasing the best of Icelandic culture, including food and beverage, music, nature, literature, art and design, wellness, and more.
Taste of Iceland celebrates and shares the traditions and culture of Iceland with the people of North America. In partnership with local businesses and Taste of Iceland’s official partners, featured events will be hosted at Brasserie Beck, Eaton DC, Mind Your Body Oasis, Old School Hardware, Songbyrd, and Wild Days.
Most events are free and open to the public. Event tickets are required, and guests are encouraged to arrive promptly to guarantee entry. Tickets are available on the Taste of Iceland Website. Reservations are required for the prix-fixe Icelandic dinner through the Taste of Iceland Website.
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Friday, March 8 – Saturday, March 9
- Icelandic Menu at Brasserie Beck: Brian McBride, Partner-Chef at Brasserie Beck, in collaboration with Bjarki Snær Thorsteinsson, Chef on Iceland’s National Culinary Team, will prepare a pop-up menu inspired by Icelandic flavors and ingredients, including seafood, lamb, and skyr. 4:00 PM – 9:45 PM at Brasserie Beck. Reservations for the prix fixe menu are available through the Taste of Iceland Website.
- Wheel of Prizes Presented by Icelandair: March 8-9 at various events during the Taste of Iceland festival in Washington, D.C., selected participants will have the opportunity to win various prizes, including a trip for two to Iceland! Click here for more information.
- March 8, 5:00 PM at Wild Days before the Cocktail Class with Iceland’s Reyka Vodka
- March 9, 3:00 PM at Eaton DC, Beverly Snow before Icelandia Presents: Geology with Helga
- March 9, 7:00 PM at Songbyrd, during and after Reykjavik Presents: Iceland Airwaves Off-Venue
Icelandair is also offering special sales on roundtrip flights to Iceland from Washington, D.C. Learn more here.
Friday, March 8
- Pizza Time with Flétta and Ýrúrarí: During this family friendly interactive exhibition showcasing Iceland’s commitment to sustainable design, Icelandic design teams Flétta and Ýrúrarí will open a pizza parlor where guests can order freshly felted wool pizza slices made of leftovers from the Icelandic wool industry. Guests can select toppings to customize their order and bring home a wool pizza slice as a one-of-a-kind art piece. Pizza Time was first exhibited at Iceland’s premier global design festival, DesignMarch, in 2023, and was awarded Project of the Year at the Icelandic Design Awards. 4:00 PM at Old School Hardware (next to Ellē). Click here for more information.
- Cocktail Class with Iceland’s Reyka Vodka: Join a free cocktail class with Reyka Vodka where brand ambassador and mixologist, Jeff Naples, will shake up some tasty Iceland-inspired cocktails and teach attendees how to make these drinks at home. DJ Hermigervill, a longtime heavyweight of the Icelandic music scene, will welcome guests with tunes curated by experts at Iceland Music. Guests must be 21 years old with a valid ID to attend. 5:00 PM at Wild Days. Click here for more information.
Saturday, March 9
- Elemental Sound Bath with Blue Lagoon Iceland and Icelandic Provisions Skyr Bar: Join Icelandic energy healer Jósa Goodlife for an hour of inner peace and healing meditation. Sound Bath attendees will receive a complimentary Blue Lagoon Iceland yoga mat, an Icelandic Provisions beanie, an Icelandair blanket, Icelandic Glacial water, and a Blue Lagoon Iceland Skincare gift. After the Sound Bath, guests are invited to an Icelandic Provisions Skyr Bar. 11:00 AM at Mind Your Body Oasis. Click here for more information.
- Iceland’s Crime Fiction Royalty: A Conversation with Ragnar Jónasson and Yrsa Sigurðardóttir: Join global bestselling Icelandic authors Ragnar Jónasson and Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, known as the Queen and King of Icelandic crime fiction, for a conversation about their recent novels, literature, and life in general. Ragnar Jónasson will discuss, “Reykjavík,” his recent crime novel co-authored with Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir. Yrsa Sigurðardóttir will discuss, “The Legacy,” the first in her popular crime series that has won numerous literature awards. 1:00 PM at Eaton DC, Beverly Snow. Click here for more information.
- Taste of Iceland Cooking Class: Chefs Haflidi Halldorsson and Bjarki Snær Thorsteinsson will present and teach how to prepare the main ingredients on the Taste of Iceland menu. Learn how to prepare and cook the wild Icelandic cod starter, the Icelandic Lamb main course, and naturally a delicious dessert of the Icelandic Provisions skyr. The group will then sit down and enjoy the fruits of their labor with the chefs. 2:00 PM at Brasserie Beck. Click here for more information.
- Icelandia Presents: Geology with Helga: Join volcanologist Helga Kristin Torfadottir to learn about Iceland’s fascinating volcanology, including current geological activities in Iceland. Helga specializes in the evolution of magma and the structure of volcanoes and is actively studying Iceland’s most significant volcano, Öræfajökull. There will also be Icelandia VR demonstrations where participants will be virtually swept away to Iceland to see the country from a new perspective. 3:00 PM at Eaton DC, Beverly Snow. Click here for more information.
- Reykjavik Presents: Iceland Airwaves Off-Venue: The City of Reykjavík, in collaboration with Iceland Airwaves and Iceland Music, will host a free concert featuring Icelandic artists, singer-songwriter Axel Flóvent, multi-instrumentalist JFDR, and punk trio GRÓA. DJ Hermigervill, a longtime heavyweight of the Icelandic music scene, will host the evening. Doors open at 7:00 PM at Songbyrd. Click here for more information.
Taste of Iceland is an annual festival that celebrates Iceland’s vibrant culture. The festival is organized by Inspired by Iceland, which promotes Iceland and Icelandic products. It is presented in partnership and with support from Icelandair, Visit Reykjavík, Icelandic Seafood, Business Iceland, Reyka Vodka, Blue Lagoon Iceland, Icelandia, Iceland Music, Icelandic Provisions, Icelandic Lamb, Icelandic Glacial, Landsvirkjun, and Isavia Keflavik International Airport. Additional Taste of Iceland 2024 events will be held in Denver, CO (May 9-11), New York, NY (September 5-7), and Seattle, WA (October 3-5).
For more information about Inspired by Iceland and Taste of Iceland, visit www.inspiredbyiceland.com.
To learn more about Business Iceland, visit www.business iceland.is.
- Icelandic Menu at Brasserie Beck: Brian McBride, Partner-Chef at Brasserie Beck, in collaboration with Bjarki Snær Thorsteinsson, Chef on Iceland’s National Culinary Team, will prepare a pop-up menu inspired by Icelandic flavors and ingredients, including seafood, lamb, and skyr. 4:00 PM – 9:45 PM at Brasserie Beck. Reservations for the prix fixe menu are available through the Taste of Iceland Website.
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Perfectly Paired Italian Wines poured for ‘Charming Taste of Europe’ Holiday Dinner
Italian Wines poured for ‘Charming Taste of Europe’ Holiday Dinner
Italian wines can be the preferred choice for the holidays or equally suited for every day drinking, whether tasted alone or paired with a meal.
Old World history, diverse varietals and styles to match every dish and palette, and are surprisingly affordable – especially compared to wines of similar prestige.
Lincoln Ristorante hosts Italian Wines from Charming Taste of Europe
Tonight’s dinner takes place at Lincoln Ristorante beside NYC Lincoln Center’s reflecting pool and iconic Henry Moore sculpture.
Hosted by Italian Wine Expert Susannah Gold for Vini D’Abruzzo, Kavala Coop, Sweet Bordeaux and the European Union.
The Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP) was founded in 1927. Today it has 500 members that include producers from the provinces of Kavala, Nestos and Thassos.
Lincoln Center’s iconic Henry Moore sculpture
Lincoln Ristorante offers an authentic interpretation of Italian cuisine by sourcing the best local ingredients, relying on local farmers, Tucker Square Greenmarket and importing from Italy. Then preparing the menu with authentic Italian methods.
They honor traditional Italian dishes making their own fresh pastas, grissini, and focaccia.
Lincoln Ristorante offers an authentic interpretation of Italian cuisine
Enjoy! It’s from Europe
We’re tasting Italian wines with our holiday dinner.
With over 36,000 hectares (138 miles) of vineyard space and producing 3.5 million hectoliteres (350 million liters) each year, viticulture is one of Italy’s strongest agriculture industries.
Nearly 80% of grape growing and wine activity takes place in Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
There’s a truly impressive amount of quality wine coming from the area. 200 private wineries and 40 cooperatives in Abruzzo’s Chieti province.
Nearly 80% of grape growing and wine activity takes place in Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo’s Wine
The region has a variety of wine producers, something for every palette, pairing, and budget.
There are 2 DOCG: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane Docg and Terre Tolesi or Tullum DOCG.
There are 7 DOCs: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Doc, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Doc, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Doc, Abruzzo Doc, Villamagna Doc, Controguerra Doc, Ortona Doc
And there aerie 7 IGT: Colline Pescaresi Igt, Colline Teatine Igt, Colline, Frentane Igt, Colli del Sangro Igt, Del Vastese or Histonium Igt, Terre di Chieti Igt, Terre Aquilane or Terre de L’Aquila Igt
The Abruzzo region has a variety of wine producers: 2 DOCG, 7 DOCs, 7 IGT
Chieti is the most popular area with more than 75% of vineyards
The production areas are mostly in the hills and the coast.
The Chieti province is the most popular area with more than 75% of vineyards and 83% of production.
With quite a bit less, Pescara and Teramo, each account for about 10% of the vineyards, and 10% and 6%,respectively of production
L’Aquila is most modest area, with less than 4% of vineyards, and 1% of production.
The Scope of Italian Wines from Charming Taste of Europe
The Chieti province is the most popular (75%), but other areas include Pescara and Teramo (10%) and L’Aquila (less then 5%)
Nic Tartaglia with Italian Wines from ‘Charming Taste of Europe’
Nic Tartaglia is a leader in the area with Tartaglia Farm in the little village Alanno, which is part of Pescara, 1010 feet above the sea level, within a 30 miniature drive of the Adriatic sea and the Appenini mountain range.
Winters are cold with plenty of snow, and summers are cool and sunny. Their aggressive climate, with clay grounds and limestone grounds encourage grapes that bring rich aromas, color and high sugar.
Nic Tartaglia from Tartaglia Farm
Perfect for Italy’s popular wine: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo and Pecorino, and even more: Chardonnay and Cabernet.
Dinner begins – Italian Wines from ‘Charming Taste of Europe’
Long Island Fluke Crudo
First Course
Choice of…
Long Island Fluke Crudo
Pomelo, herbs, Pistacchio, Espelette, Meyer lemon, fried shallots
Misticanza Salad
Misticanza Salad
Red Endive, White endive, Piedmontese dressing, toasted walnuts, crispy guanciale, gorgonzola dressing
Wine: Nic Tartaglia Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC 2021
On the nose, notes of pear and plum. Full body, good acidity and lingering finish. Would pair with grilled vegetables.
Risotto: Arugula pesto, Prosciutto di Parma, Filone Garlic Crostino, Maldon salt
Primi
Risotto
Arugula pesto, Prosciutto di Parma, Filone Garlic Crostino, Maldon salt
Fontefico La Canaglia Pecorino d’Abruzzo Superiore DOC 2021
Wine: Fontefico La Canaglia Pecorino d’Abruzzo Superiore DOC 2021
This golden-hued beauty has a full body and refreshing minerality. Balsamic and herbal notes lead to floral hints, with grapefruit on the finish. Would pair well with a light dish and gravy or meat sauce.
Dry Age strip loin
Main Course
Dry Age strip loin
Smoked Bone Marrow, Vinaigrette, Salk baked fingerling potatoes
Velenosi Prope Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC 2021
Wine: Velenosi Prope Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC 2021
This is a beautiful surprise. At first when you’re served a rose with your cut of streak, it can seem like a mistake. Most rose’s couldn’t stand up to the challenge.
But this story is different; and this wine is special.
Notice it’s intense bright pink color. The most confident welcome with the results to match. Beautiful notes of floral aroma, roses, red fruit. Rounded mouthfeel with raspberry and high acidity to cut through the steak and linger long after. Would pair well with sourdough, rib eye, gamey meat.
If you’re looking for a bold rose’ this is a great selection.
On left: Masciarelli Villa Gemma Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Riserva 2017
Wine: Masciarelli Villa Gemma Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Riserva 2017
This is the powerful wine you’d expect paired with steak. Deep Ruby color, with black cherry and spices on those nose. Plush, velvet with smokey oak. Very tannic, almost chewy. A young wine with lots of room to evolve over the years
Pinola Al Cioccolato: Chocolate Genovese, Semi-sweet Ganache, Milk chocolate crema, Pine nut gelato
Choice of Dessert
Pinola Al Cioccolato
Chocolate Genovese, Semi-sweet Ganache, Milk chocolate crema, Pine nut gelato
Cheese Course: Aged parmesan, Candied pecans, Honey, Fig spread
Cheese Course
Aged parmesan, Candied pecans, Honey, Fig spread
Wine: Chateau de Garbes “Cuvee Fut de chene” AOC Cadillac 2019
Shimmering golden color. The nose has fruit with slightly woody aroma. Refreshing honeyed notes of candied fruit.
Wine: Chateau Loupiac-Gaudiel 2017
Pale yellow in the glass. Apricot and peach on the nose. Very well-balanced with nuances of saffron, chive and ginger. The ginger brings a slight bitter ending that makes for a brisk palette cleanser.
Italian Wines from Charming Taste of Europe
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DC Discovers Bordeaux wines, leading the way with Julien Bonneau from Chateau Haut Grelot
Incredible Bordeaux wines from Chateau Haut Grelot leads the way with Julien Bonneau
Today Chateau Haut Grelot’s Julien Bonneau visited to talk Bordeaux winemaking, their legendary wine region, his family’s pioneering legacy, his favorite food and wine pairings.
Chateau Haut Grelot’s Julien Bonneau
Can you tell us a little bit about what inspires you about the wine business? Maybe a memory or wine celebration.
Julien: As you imagine in Bordeaux, or even in France, most of the wine business is a family business. It’s very father and a son or daughter. There’s always this kind of takeover.
Chateau Haut Grelot’s Bonneau Family
I grew up with my father and he was always into wine, tasting wine. ’Oh, you should smell the wine and making me discover the wine from when I was a very young child. And so I didn’t want to take over the company.
I didn’t wanna take over the story about the wine, but I had one weakness: I love wine actually. I like wine very much, so it was very hard to say no.
Chateau Haut Grelot
I don’t want to take over. But I like wine anyway. I went to business school. I went to New Zealand and England to learn the wine trade. It was a very nice experience.
Then I came back to the wine business and started again to make wine, to discover the wine business through the company. That was probably my first step. When you start taking a foot in the wine business, then you never go back.
Obviously, it’s a passion to grow and grow because making wine is like growing a child. You start from the vineyard and then you go to making wine and then to age the wine in barrels. Then you put it in a bottle just to show your wine to your customers.
Chateau Haut Grelot’s Julien Bonneau
Looking at your winery’s history. 1920, 1927 was a big year for your vineyard. 1975 was a big year for your father.
Can you tell us a little bit about the background of the vineyard? Up to the more modern technology your vineyard has pioneered.
I’m the fourth generation in my family’s wine business. So my grandfather used to have cows for breeding. Vineyards, asparagus, as well. So it was just a culture after the war.
My father started in 1978 and he focused on the wine business.
He wanted to make and grow quality wine. Very tasty wine. [His goal] changed a lot of things about the process of winemaking to develop very aromatic, long aging. So we started to make a range of wine: white wine, rosé, a bit sparkling as well.
He went to see the customer directly in the north of France, in Europe. He tried to sell directly and not through negociants. That’s the main story because in AOC Blaye which is north of Bordeaux on the right bank of the river, negociants were necessary through the distribution to sell the wine.
The big challenge was, ‘No. You don’t want to pay more for my wine, I’m going directly to the customer. I don’t want to go and to carry on sitting through a negotiation because you don’t trust me on quality wine and you don’t pay more for the wine. So we’ll stop sending to negociants. And go directly to the customer, private customers, wine shop, restaurant, wine importers.’
That was 1984 and 1985. It was a very different direction. It changed a lot compared to what happened in Bordeaux at that time. We started to control our distribution. From that time, he developed a lot of quality wine, he invested in new vineyards, bigger and bigger, and also buying some barrels and new equipment to make very good quality wine.
He loves saying ‘I was the first in 1990 to make green harvesting.’ Green harvesting is cutting some grapes in August. So one month earlier than the harvest to remove a bit of quantity and to make better quality. So he removed grapes in the vineyard to produce better concentration on the grapes left on the field.
That was his focus, it was an improvement in quality wine. From that time, we carried on. What I changed is, I make more wines, different wines, different quality wines. But still focusing on quality wine. I do more than 30 wines – different quality, colors, and winemaking process.
Let’s talk about your region, and how those elements inform the wines that you’re making?
Julien: We are located in AOC Blaye, north of Bordeaux, one hour driving up.
On the right bank of the river. So opposite to Saint-Estèphe, you have AOC Saint-Estèphe, you cross the river, the main river, and you are in AOC Blaye.
Where we are located we are mostly very gravelly. We have two types of terroir. For the red grapes Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec.
Gravelly soil to help have early harvesting and early maturation for nice harvesting. The second is more on clay soil, for the Sauvignon Blanc for the Semillon and Muscadet to make more powerful wine. Two very distinguished terroirs.
The climate is very moderate, oceanic influence but also very warm during the summer. We are very hot right now. It’s a very hot summer so that’s helped a lot to have very ripe grapes.
North of Bordeaux is quite hilly so it helps to have very nice exposure to the sun. For us, it’s very important to have ripe grapes. So we need to look for the sun and remove the leaves in front of the grapes. It helps to keep the freshness in the wine and still have very ripe grapes.
Let’s talk about your winemaking process.
AOC Bordeaux or AOC Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, we have very strict rules. We need to have the vineyard on a hill. You need to respect 6,000 bottles per hectare of production.
Then we have nine months of winemaking before bottling it. So for us we make one year, even sometimes two years after, focusing more on quality wine.
AOC rules are just a basis. We try to make higher quality by aging and also to decrease the quantity of grapes per hectare to focus on sun contact for the grapes to have very ripe and very juicy grapes before harvesting. So we are very much challenging and controlling this aspect.
For example, in September, I walk every day, all my vineyards, just to check on the quality.
We try to get the aroma window. According to the evolution of the aroma on a grape, on a palate, we say ‘the window is there’, so we need to get it. It’s not only analysis from a laboratory, but it’s mostly from the palette. ‘How’s it taste?’
It’s the same as when you cook, you taste your sauce all the time.
Let’s talk about your wines. Can you talk us through some of the wines that you have?
Première Cuvée Red 2020, Blaye Côtes-de-Bordeaux
Première Cuvée Red 2020, Blaye Côtes-de-Bordeaux
Ruby red in the glass. Lovely nose with red berries, vanilla and spicy flavors. Very drinkable. Fruit forward with medium body. Well-balanced with long and aromatic finish
Château Haut Grelot Sauvignon Blanc Côtes de Blaye 2022
Château Haut Grelot Sauvignon Blanc Côtes de Blaye 2022
Classic Bordeaux blend: 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon & 5% Muscadelle. Floral, crisp, elegant. Exotic fruit on the nose with grapefruit and wild herbs. Generous citrus on the palate. Full body, almost velvety with a decadent finish.
Perfect to pair with seafood, chicken, fresh salads and cheese boards.
Pin Franc Red 2020, Blaye Côtes-de-Bordeaux, red wine
Pin Franc Red 2020, Blaye Côtes-de-Bordeaux
Big gush of red fruit, red currant, raspberry, blueberry on the nose. Big body, well-balance. Very muscular with silky and structured tannins. A long finish.
Enjoy as an aperitif or pair with game, pigeon, lamb, turkey, or as a dessert with chocolate.
Chemin de l’Estuaire Red 2020, Blaye Côtes-de-Bordeaux
Chemin de l’Estuaire Red 2020, Blaye Côtes-de-Bordeaux
Powerful, bold, muscular. 100% cabernet sauvignon. A v ery special bottle, aged for 16 months in small oak barrels. A lush, velvety mouthfeel with medium tannin and a long, vanilla finish.
Boir Pour Voir 2020, Blaye Côtes-de-Bordeaux, Orange Wine
Boir Pour Voir 2020, Blaye Côtes-de-Bordeaux
100% Sauvignon Gris
On the nose, citrus and orange zest aromas. Light body, light tannin. A tart bitterness on the palette with medium finish. Enjoy as an aperitif, or pairs with hard cheeses and desserts.
Julien: We have a wide range of wine. But I’m going to start with…
[Première Cuvée Red 2020, Blaye Côtes-de-Bordeaux, red wine]
Which is very fruity wine. This one is more classic Bordeaux style.
For the white is [Château Haut Grelot Sauvignon Blanc Côtes de Blaye 2022].
For 90% and very fruity, juicy, very aromatic fruit, grapefruit, and also passion fruit and it’s very easy drinking very easy drinking, very crisp.
The red is 70% of Merlot, 30% of Cabernet sauvignon. Wine aging on the lees a bit just to bring a bit of fatness. Strawberry character.
Both wines are very drinkable. Don’t need to age too much. Lovely with sushi, seafood, tuna, all fish. It works pretty well with meat. So that’s my two first classic range of Bordeaux style.
Then I have Parfum, which is 100% Malbec. [Chemin de l’Estuaire Red 2020, Blaye Côtes-de-Bordeaux]. Fruity, easy drinking, not too heavy as Argentina wines or Malbec wine. It’s more of a freshness and very licorice character.
The Cabernet Sauvignon is aged in barrels for one year, very select grapes.
We make a very good balance between the fruit from the Cabernet and the barrels. From aging typical from wine. That’s two different wines which is this one a bit more on the liquorized fruit freshness side, and this one is very elegant.
Lastly is orange wine. Bois Pauvoir, which is a sauvignon grape. [Boir Pour Voir 2020, Blaye Côtes-de-Bordeaux]
The story of this wine was Bois Pauvoir. It’s orange wine. I never made it before, but I wanted to make a wine which says let’s try to see how it’s going. And that means in French, “let’s try, you will see.”
Going back to cooking, what are some of your favorite things to eat with these bottles?
Julien: I’ll say for Sauvignon Blanc, this one is lovely with tuna. Rare tuna. Even tataki tuna. It has a very fresh character, very nice acidity and it’s very well matched with tuna.
This is one who can match pretty much with many things, but if you like pasta with tomato. Easy drinking freshness. Very drinkable. Not too heavy and you have acidity in a tomato with pasta and that keeps your freshness.
It pairs well with game. I like pigeon with a side of onions. Even lamb is very nice. It works pretty well with white meat. You can say beef as well. Roasted beef on a barbecue with carrots and peppers.
That’s very long, which is very a bit unusual, but it’s lovely with cheese. Even with fish in tomato sauce. Sea bass or grilled octopus. Yeah, it could be a very nice match.
How can we find more about you and your wines?
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