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From A Wine Lover’s Bucket List: Eve Bushman spends a week touring and tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape

By admin — 2 years ago

From A Wine Lover’s Bucket List: Eve Bushman spends a week touring and tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape

What’s on your Bucket List?

While a normal person wants to check off going to Mars, driving a racecar or meeting a president, wine writers have lists that almost always include visiting wineries in far off places. Having Shiraz in Australia, Tempranillo in Spain, Chianti Classico in Italy and Malbec in Argentina are on our lists, but top of the list for me has always been France. I had two days in Bordeaux years ago and a week in the Garda DOC in Italy that just wet my whistle for more, so when a small group of wine writers was being put together, to visit Chateauneuf du Pape for arguably the best Rhone wines in the world, I poised my pencil over my list and made a huge mark – YES, please, take me!

Quick travel tips: Bottles are priced much less at the source, even with shipping costs; we saved in buying a case to have sent home. If you can’t get winery appointments, or don’t have the time, we found several tasting rooms in town – as well as several places for meals. None of us in our party spoke fluent French, and though it would have helped, we were fine communicating in English. You can drive your own car, on the right side of the street, but there are many roundabouts, toll roads and narrow roadways.

Eddie Bushman at Pegau

Domaine Pegau

Our first day in France began with a sunrise at our friend’s Villa in Monoblet. From there we traveled 90 minutes for a tour and tasting at Chateau (wines labeled from the Cote du Rhone area) and Domaine (Chateauneuf du Pape area in Rhone) from Pegau. We have a few Domaine Pegau wines in our cellar and really looked forward to visiting the real deal.

From our host we learned that there are five towns in Chateauneuf du Pape that produced 95% red and 5% white wine grapes. They use 13 grape varieties and any given bottle only has to use one grape. Pegau – properly pronounced as “Pay-Go” – uses all 13, including blending white with red grapes. For their Cote du Rhone property Pegau makes 44% red wine and one Rose wine.

We learned that they are an old school winery, as far as winemaking techniques. When finished wine is ordered only then is a bottling truck ordered and labels created. (There are different laws for different labeling around the world, so that is the reason they have to wait to print the labels.)

Only old oak is used for aging and some barrels are 90 years old. Stainless steel tanks are only used for their white wines; some high-end whites also spend time in wood barrels and concrete eggs. They do not de-stem any of the wines, which for me meant that the terroir would show earthiness and tannins.

Now, onto the tasting!

We sampled two Chateau Pegau Vallee du Rhone and two Domaine Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape, a white and red in each category, aged between 2019 and 2021. My personal preference on these leaned more toward the Chateauneuf du Pape wines and of particular note was the 2019 Cuvee Reservee that used all 13 Rhone grapes and 80% of that was Grenache. These wines were priced between 10 and 45 euros – which is pretty close to the same in American dollars.

Instagram: @Domaine_Du_Pegau

Website: https://pegau.com/

Roger Sabon Wine glass

Domaine Roger Sabon

Next up we visited Chateauneuf du Pape’s (CDP’s) Domaine Roger Sabon for a tasting.

Our host explained that this past summer they experienced drier weather producing smaller berries over 18 hectares. Sabon, like Pegau, has both a Domaine for the CDP wine area and a Cotes du Rhone label. Five percent of their appellations are producing white wines. They blend before aging, have four different soil types and also have a distillery. All of their wines are at least 70% Grenache and are aged in large barrels.

For the tasting they offered us new and older wines, including wines from the Lirac appellation – not in Chateauneuf du Pape – with amazing aromatics and flavors.

My favorites were a 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve that had just been bottled in March and contained 80% Grenache and the remaining 20% was made of Syrah and Mourvedre – the classic GSM blend. I noted delicate fruit aromas and subtle fruit flavors – red to blue fruits – as well as a pepperiness.

My second favorite was the Prestige label, a 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape that was all black fruit, cracked pepper and earth that had a nice sweet spot. That blend was also a GSM.

My ultimate favorite of the day was the final wine we tasted: the 2012 Prestige that had huge aromatics with earth, mint, dark fruit and an extra long finish. It was a real treat to be treated to an older vintage as it showed how well these wines did after a decade of aging.

Instagram: @Roger.Sabon

Website: http://www.domainerogersabon.com/en/

Eve Bushman spends a week touring and tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape

Domaine de la Mordoree

The next day we went to Domaine de la Mordoree for an extensive vineyard tour – with the most amazing rocky and sandy soil that walking on it was difficult. The idea of the roots below, struggling for water that made them strong, left a huge impression on me. I had never seen this kind of large rocky terrain in a vineyard before. And the sandy sections were so pure and soft, it was quite a difference. The vines are between 40 and 60 years old.

Farming in the Domaine was certified organic in 2013 and is now also biodynamic. There are 30 workers brought in for nighttime harvests every year. The father and head of the household had died, and the mother and daughter “continue in a masculine world” according to our guide.

After the tour we had a tasting of their new white, rose and red wines. My first favorite was the 2019 La Dame Rousse – Lirac, also known as “The Red Lady” on their website, which was 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. Very dark berries, forest floor, tannin, dry and spicy and with a price tag of only 14.50 Euros. My second favorite was their 2020 La Reine de bois Chateauneuf du Pape that was rich, velvety, smooth and balanced. Top notch indeed and 56 Euros.

Instagram: @Domaine_Mordoree

Website: https://www.domaine-mordoree.com/?lang=en

Domaine Andre Brunel and le Clos du Caillou

Our next day in Chateauneuf du Pape was spent at Domaine Andre Brunel and le Clos du Caillou! At Andre Brunel we learned that the namesake had passed away in February and his son Fabrice, Andre’s longtime apprentice, then took over as winemaker. Some of the Grenache vineyards are 135 years old. One other interesting fact is that in a recent blind tasting of a 1959 Andre Brunel vintage the wine was thought to have been a Burgundy instead of a Rhone!

Eve Bushman (with husband Eddie )spends a week touring and tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape

We tasted in the winery, during a day of noisy pressing, but it didn’t keep us from enjoying several wines. Along with their Chateauneuf du Pape label we also sampled blends from their Cotes du Rhone Villages. My favorite was a 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Cailloux that was a 60% Grenache blend with Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault. The wine had been aged in a Burgundy barrel.

Onto le Clos du Caillou where some of their wines are grown within the CDP boundaries and some are outside of it in Cotes du Rhone territory. The Cailloux area, mentioned above in a wine from Andre Brunel, is just outside of CDP but has the same soil and terroir. Some of their vineyards have sandy soils and some are pebbly.

Their Grand Reserve wine is their most famous and comes from pure sandy soils, which for the winery means:

“elegance, fine tannins and aging potential.”

le Clos du Caillou bottless and quartz

Their new winery, Domaine de Panisse, began in 2020 and the wines have all sold out. In 2007 they went organic and were certified as so in 2010. They are also biodynamic but are not yet certified for that distinction. Grenache is their number one produced grape, followed by Syrah, Mourvedre and other Rhônes. They only work with used barrels.

We tasted seven wines and the most memorable one for me was the Les Quartz Rouge – Chateauneuf du Pape 2020 for its fresh red fruit, richness and smooth balance. The grapes used – 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah – came from the vineyard that just happened to be just outside of the Chateauneuf du Pape region. Our host said the wine had a 20-year aging potential. The wine was priced at 55 Euros.

Instagram: @Domaine_AndreBrunel @ClosDuCaillou

Websites: https://domaine-andre-brunel.fr/

https://www.closducaillou.com/

La Barroche winery

Domaine la Barroche and Château Mont Redon PLUS The Terroir and Castles

Next up we visited Domaine la Barroche where the sandy soil with quartz stones took over the vineyards. The same 12 people do the harvest every year; and the group also sorts the grapes in buckets by hand for the 2,000 cases of wine they produce a year. During the de-stemming process they discard any too-dry berries. Then, later, the winemaking process is “like slow cooking at low temperatures” according to our host.

We tasted wines from their Liberty (stones), Julien Barrot (signature) and Fiancée labels. Every wine I tasted I noted as distinguished: the 2020, 2019 and 2016 Julien Barrot Chateauneuf du Pape, 2020 Liberty blend and the 2020 Fiancée Chateauneuf du Pape.

Chateau Mont- Redon

Before our tasting at Mont-Redon I took a few moments to look over their colorful brochure and large maps.

I read,

“The secret of our skill is hidden in the poor soils in which the vines grow.

Originally the Alps, Chateauneuf du Pape, round puddings stones are what make our wines special.

Our Lirac and Cotes du Rhone are at their best on the plains, also stony, neighboring those of Chateauneuf du Pape.”

Château Mont Redon will be celebrating their 100-year anniversary next year, with the same family at the helm since 1923!

We tasted a 2021 Roussanne Viognier Reserve Cotes du Rhone, 2020 Oratoire St. Domaine Martin Rhone Valley, 2020 Lirac GSM, 2018 Reserve Gigondas and a 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape. Learned that they don’t export their wines until they are at least five years old – as the U.S. consumer is not known for aging their wines – and we should be buying the 2019s now.

Terroir tour Day Courtesy A 2 Pas des Vignes Hebergements and Spa

Next up was a fabulous tour of the different rocks – including beautiful quartz – and different soils all throughout the Cote Du Rhone and Chateauneuf du Pape with Nicolas of “A 2 Pas des Vignes Hebergements and Spa”! (He and his wife Emilie own four homes to rent, and a spa on the premises.) Castles – all minutes away – include the Pope’s Palace, Chateau de Vaudieu, Chateau La Nerthe and Hostellerie du Château that also has a lovely restaurant. I highly recommend a stay at 2 Pas as the pricing is more than reasonable as well as being in the center of Chateauneuf du Pape. Nicolas offered us the tour, though he is not a tour guide, but I also suggest a tour so that you can get more of a sense of the terroir and history.

Nicolas from A 2 Pas des Vignes Hebergements and Spa

Instagram: @DomaineLaBarroche @ChateauMontRedon

Websites: https://www.domainelabarroche.com/

https://www.chateaumontredon.com/

Instagram: @a2pasdesvignes

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/a2pasdesvignes

Domaine du Grand Tinel bottle shot

Domaine du Grand Tinel, Domaine Saint Prefert Et Domaine Isabel Ferrando and Vieux Telegraphe

My final installment from my time in Chateauneuf du Pape is a visit and tour at Domaine du Grand Tinel that’s been making wine for 7 generations! (My husband Eddie covered me for another day – see his coverage from Domaine Saint Prefert Et Domaine Isabel Ferrando and Vieux Telegraphe below.)

Lucien Jeune, born in 1904, is known for two things, first he passed a law forbidding UFOs from landing in the vineyards – making the area more appealing to inquisitive tourists – and he was also mayor for 25 years. Grand Tinel began in 1972, combining estates owned by Lucien Jeune and Georges Establet, when their children married in 1968.

Domaine du Grand Tinel wine glass

To this day harvest is all done by hand, the have two wineries from two different terroirs: Domaine du Grand Tinel and Domaine de Saint Paul. They don’t make all of the white Rhone varieties, and they focus on the three major reds: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Some of their vines are over 100 years old. They only use new oak barrels for the whites and used for the reds. Wine is sold through Negotiants, mostly to the private sector of French buyers. Bottling and labeling is done in house.

These were my favorites from the tasting: The 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc, the 2020 Cuvee Cotes du Rhone (Roussanne based), Domaine Saint Paul 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape (Grenache and Syrah based, 70 year old vines), 2018 L’insolite (100% Syrah) and 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Heres (100% Grenache).

Eddie and friends (I was back at the Villa with a cold) visited Domaine Saint Prefert Et Domaine Isabel Ferrando and Vieux Telegraphe…these are his memories of the day:

Eddie’s Telegraph

My day began at Domaine Saint Prefert and with an introduction and discussion with owner Isabel Fernando, and a tasting of the latest vintages. The 2021 Blanc Famille Isabel Fernando Chateauneuf du Pape was a great sample of their wines. The 2020 Colombis from Chateauneuf du Pape was outstanding as well.

Saint Prefert Isabel Ferrando

The afternoon brought us to Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe. Vieux Telegraphe has been a family run winery since 1891. The sixth generation of the Brunier family is continuing the tradition of making excellent wines. Daniel Brunier gave us a wonderful tour and explanation of their winemaking style. The tour included a walk through their newly constructed caves for wine aging and storage.

The tasting began with Clos Roquete, a very approachable wine made from 33% Roussanne, 33% Clairette, and 34% Grenache Blanc. This wine was so good, we bought a bottle for dinner that night. The 2020 Blanc was outstanding as well. We tasted the entire flight ending with the 2019 Rouge Chateauneuf du Pape made from 65% Grenache Noir, 15% Mourvedre, 15% Syrah, with Cinsault, Clairette and others at 5%. As a special treat, Daniel opened their 2010 rouge Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape. This wine was truly a standout in all the wines tasted on the trip so far. The wine had aged well and still had the ability go age a couple of dozen more years. Many Vieux Telegraphe wines were included in the case we had shipped home.

Instagrams: @DomaineDuGrandTinel @isabelferrando_stprefert @VieuxTelegraphe

Websites: https://www.domainegrandtinel.fr/en/#historique

https://www.st-prefert.com/

https://www.vieux-telegraphe.fr/

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Italian Wine Ambassador Susannah Gold shares Oltrepo Pavese wines

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Discover Oltrepo Pavese Wines from Italian Wine Ambassador Susannah Gold

By Joe Wehinger — 2 years ago

Italian Wine Ambassador Susannah Gold shares Oltrepo Pavese wines at IEEM’s Simply Italian Great Wines Oct 24 in NYC

So much Italian wine is packed with great flavor, great food pairing possibilities, even great price tags ($20 or less). And yet many of us don’t reach for their bottles at the wine shop because we haven’t discovered them yet.

Italian Oltrepo Pavese wines is a great example of this

Italian Wine Ambassador Susannah Gold shares Oltrepo Pavese wines

So where is Oltrepo Pavese?

Oltrepo Pavese is in the north-west Italian region of Lombardy. Within Italy’s 20 regions, Lombardy (or Lombardia) is located on the Northern end, bordered by Piemonte, Emilio-Romagna, Veneto, Trentino – Alto Adige.

Wine Expert Susannah Gold

Italian Oltrepo Pavese wines History

Oltrepo Pavese has a long wine history. It’s called ‘The Old World’ for a reason.

Viticulture was mentioned in the area as early as 40 BC. By the 1800s, the area was growing more than 200 grape varieties. Eventually it became the third largest producer of the Pinot Nero grape, just behind France’s Burgundy and Champagne.

Italian Wine Ambassador Susannah Gold shares Oltrepo Pavese wines

Oltrepo Pavese Grapes

There are four main grape varieties in Oltrepo Pavese and they are: Pinot Noir, Croatina, Barbera, Riesling. In addition, other popular options are: Pinot Grigio and Moscato.

Sparkling Wine in Oltrepo Pavese

Do they do sparkling? They do.

Their Pinot Noir vine clones started getting used in the 1800s and by the 1900s sparkling wine production took off.

Sparkling wine made in the south of Lombardy’s Pavia province Pinot Nero (Noir) is dominant in all wines made under this title, including either white or rosé.

The metodo classico is Italy’s version of the methode traditionelle, proudly used (and protected) by the winemakers of France’s Champagne.

Oltrepò Metodo Classico DOCG has a minimum of 70% Pinot Noir
Oltrepò Metodo Classico Cruasé has a minimum of 75% Pinot Noir

Let’s Get to Tasting

Italian Wine Ambassador Susannah Gold shares Oltrepo Pavese wines at IEEM’s Simply Italian Great Wines Oct 24 in NYC

Testarossa Oltrepo Pavese DOCG Metodo Classico Pinot Nero 2016 La Versa

In the glass, a brilliant straw yellow. White and creamy mousse, with continuous perlage. The nose has crusty bread with a citrus finish. The mouth has a soft feel, fresh and lively, with a lingering red fruit aftertaste. Would pair well with white fish, salmon, mussels.

Oltrepo Pavese Pinot Grigio DOC 2021 – Vanzini

In the glass, copper tones. On the nose, floral notes of apple, pear. Soft, elegant mouthfeel, with hints of toast and cream. Would pair well with fish and creamy cheeses.

Sommossa Bonarda dell ‘ Oltrepo Pavese DOC 2021 – Castello De Luzzano

In the glass, Ruby red with purple tinges. On the nose, notes of blackberry and black currant. The mouth is dry and tannic with persistent black currant.

Tiamat, Pino Nero dell’Oltrepo Pavese DOC 2020 – Cordero San Giorgio

In the glass, luminous ruby red color. Red fruit aromas on the nose. Red fruit with a hint of spice on the mouth, soft mouthfeel. Would pair well with chicken and turkey.

Pernice Pinot Nero dell’Oltrepo Pavese DCO 2018 – Conte Vistarino

In the glass, ruby red with garnet specks. The nose has complex violet notes with roasted coffee and cocoa. The mouth is big and elegant. A full body of red fruit with a spicy finish. Could be deliciously paired with gamey and roasted meats, rabbit, mushrooms .

Noir, Pinot Nero, dell’Oltrepo Pavese DOC 2018 – Mazzolino

In the glass, deep bright ruby red with a garnet edge. On the nose, raspberry, and a subtle blend of earth and white pepper. The mouth gets roasted red berries and earthy accents. But the wine keeps opening up! Sweeter red cherry and silky richness that lingers. Could pair well with grilled salmon in a wine sauce

Italian Wine Ambassador Susannah Gold shares Oltrepo Pavese wines at IEEM’s Simply Italian Great Wines Oct 24 in NYC

Languedoc Wines bring flavor and French history to NYC, led by Advanced Sommelier Erik Segelbaum

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Languedoc Wines bring Needed Flavor to Restaurant Scene, led by Erik Segelbaum

By Joe Wehinger — 2 years ago

Languedoc Wines bring flavor and French history to the City, 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

Napa's Heitz Cellar congratulates Master Sommelier Erik Elliott

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Napa’s Heitz Cellar congratulates Master Sommelier Erik Elliott, MS

By Sofia Frances — 2 years ago

Napa Wine Country’s Heitz Cellar congratulates Erik Elliott, MS

Heitz Cellar is excited to announce that Estate Director Erik Elliott has passed the Masters Exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas.

Erik is one of 10 individuals who successfully met the qualifications to be awarded the title of Master Sommelier. The results were announced at the Krug Reception on August 31, 2022, at the Royal Sonesta in Portland, Oregon.

Heitz Cellar Newest Master Sommelier Erik Elliott

The Master Sommelier Diploma is the highest distinction a professional can attain in the beverage service industry.

The Master Sommelier Diploma Examination consists of three sections:

a verbal theory examination,

a wine assessment exercise using the Deductive Tasting Method,

and a practical component that focuses on hospitality, beverage service, salesmanship, and overall business acumen.

Candidates must receive passing scores in each section to earn the highly coveted Master Sommelier title.

“I AM SO PROUD OF ERIK FOR PUTTING IN THE HARD WORK AND ACHIEVING THIS SPECIAL HONOR.

IT’S A JOY TO SEE MY CLOSE FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE JOIN THE COURT OF MASTER SOMMELIERS.

I HAVE WATCHED HIM GROW FROM A BARTENDER TO A SOMMELIER, A

ND EVENTUALLY A HOSPITALITY DIRECTOR TO ESTATE DIRECTOR,

ALL WHILE DEMONSTRATING HIS TIRELESS WORK ETHIC AND DEEPENING HIS KNOWLEDGE OF FINE WINE AND HOSPITALITY.”

Carlton McCoy, MS.

(Lawrence Wine Estates, CEO)

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Mary J. Blige: Good Morning Gorgeous Tour DC at Capital One Arena Sept 17

By Bill Hardwick — 2 years ago

Mary J. Blige: Good Morning Gorgeous Tour DC at Capital One Arena on September 17

One of Time magazine’s icons listed in “The 100 Most Influential People of 2022” and the recipient of the 2022 “Billboard ICON Award,” the undisputed Queen of Hip Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige, announces her

Good Morning Gorgeous tour

presented by Hologic in partnership with The Black Promoters Collective (BPC).

GRAMMY Award-winning and Oscar-nominated Blige will perform in 23 cities with special guests, platinum-selling, GRAMMY Award-winning artist Ella Mai and platinum-selling rising star Queen Naija beginning on Saturday, September 17, in Greensboro, NC, and ending on Saturday, October 29 in Atlantic City, NJ.

The tour also stops in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta.

“Mary J. Blige has been one of a select handful of artists

at the top of our desired list to partner with

since the initial construction of The BPC.

Having her support in our mission so early in the process is a testament to the hard work

we have put in to bring superior cultural experiences

powered by black business

to the masses.

We firmly believe this is a match made in heaven and are honored to partner with the Queen,”

states The BPC Co-Founder and President

Shelby Joyner.

the tour follows Mary J. Blige’s early 2022 album release of Good Morning Gorgeous. The album was released leading into her energetic Super Bowl Halftime performance.

The title track rose to #1 at R&B radio for 9 weeks and the song became a viral backdrop for many expressing self-love, with over 40,000 users creating videos using the song on TikTok.

A deluxe version was dropped just ahead of her wildly successful “Strength of a Woman” festival that took place last month in Atlanta.

Locations, venues & dates for the Good Morning Gorgeous tour presented by Hologic can be found below:

Saturday, 9/17	Greensboro, NC	Greensboro Coliseum
Sunday, 9/18	Washington, DC	Capital One Arena
Wednesday, 9/21	Charlotte, NC	Spectrum Center
Thursday, 9/22	Philadelphia, PA	Wells Fargo Center
Saturday, 9/24	Detroit, MI	Little Caesars Arena (Not listed – Queen Naija)
Sunday, 9/25	Chicago, IL	United Center
Wednesday, 9/28	Birmingham, AL	Legacy Center at BJCC
Thursday, 9/29	Atlanta, GA	State Farm Arena
Saturday, 10/1	Houston, TX	Toyota Center
Sunday, 10/2	Fort Worth, TX	Dickies Arena (Not listed – Ella Mai)
Thursday, 10/6	Oakland, CA	Oakland Arena (Not listed — QN or EM)
Saturday, 10/8	Las Vegas, NV	Michelob Ultra Arena
Sunday, 10/9	Los Angeles, CA	Kia Forum (Not listed — QN)
Wednesday, 10/12	St. Louis, MO	Enterprise Center
Saturday, 10/15	New Orleans, LA	Smoothie King Center
Sunday, 10/16	Memphis, TN	FedEx Forum
Wednesday, 10/19	Cleveland, OH	Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
Thursday, 10/20	Brooklyn, NY	Barclays Center
Saturday, 10/22	Hampton, VA	Hampton Coliseum
Sunday, 10/23	Newark, NJ	Prudential Center
Wednesday, 10/26	Nashville, TN	Bridgestone Arena
Thursday, 10/27	Cincinnati, OH	Heritage Bank Center
Saturday, 10/29	Atlantic City, NJ	Boardwalk Hall

The Strokes at the Nationals Park Thurs Sept 8 2022

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The Strokes at the Nationals Park Thurs Sept 8 2022

By Sofia Frances — 2 years ago

The Strokes at the Nationals Park Thurs Sept 8 2022

The Strokes are a five-piece band hailing from New York City, made up of Nikolai Fraiture (bass), Julian Casablancas (vocals), Albert Hammond Jr. (guitar), and Nick Valensi (guitar), and Fabrizio Moretti (drums).

The band formed in 1998 and rose to fame in the early 2000s as a leading group in the “garage rock revival”.

Their The Modern Age EP kick-started a wave of hype that saw their 2001 debut record, Is This It, achieve massive world-wide success, initiating an explosion of New York punk attitude and catchy pop structures in modern day rock music. NME made Is This It their “Album of the Year”.

They were hailed by music critics, including Rolling Stone, as the “saviors of rock and roll”.

The Strokes released Is This It in the US in October 2001 on RCA after some delay due to changes made from the UK released version (released 27th August 2001). The cover of the latter features a black-and-white photo of a gloved hand on a woman’s naked backside, shown in semi-profile, and is said to reference Spinal Tap’s fictitious Smell the Glove. The North American version replaces this with an image of particle collisions and the song “New York City Cops” with “When It Started”. The replacement of “New York City Cops”, which contains the refrain “New York City Cops, they ain’t too smart”, was made in good faith following the September 11 attacks.

After the release of Is This It the band toured around the world, featuring dates in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and North America, staging for the Rolling Stones. The band headlined UK’s Carling Weekend festivals in 2002, largely chronicled by a relatively hard-to-find mini-documentary entitled “In Transit” which was released to members of the now-defunct “Alone, Together” fan club.

Is This It yielded several singles and music videos, all of which were directed by Roman Coppola.

The group began recording their follow-up in 2002 with producer Nigel Godrich, but later split with him in favor of Gordon Raphael, the producer of Is This It. Recordings with Godrich were never revealed. In August 2003, the band toured Japan, playing a couple of the upcoming songs: “Reptilia”, “Meet Me In The Bathroom”, “The Way It Is”, “Between Love & Hate” and “12:51”.

They released their second album Room on Fire in October 2003, to good reviews, but to less success commercially, although it still went gold. Some critics cited the album as an advance musically and claimed it showed that they weren’t content to milk the formula that brought them their success.

Some, though, thought the albums were too alike to say they had advanced musically, and saw Room on Fire as a mediocre sophmore release. The Strokes themselves cited not enough time to make the record due to the demand of RCA executives.

In the process, they made the cover of Spin Magazine for the second time, with each member receiving his own cover.

They also made the cover of Rolling Stone for the first time. The first single taken from Room on Fire was the song “12:51”, which used distinct keyboard-like sounds produced by Valensi’s guitar.

The video was also directed by Roman Coppola, and was inspired by the futuristic look of the 1980s film Tron.

During the 2003/2004 “Room on Fire Tour”, the band played with Kings of Leon as support act and Regina Spektor. While on tour, Spektor and the Strokes recorded the song “Modern Girls & Old Fashion Men”, released as a B-side on the “Reptilia” single. Also during the tour, the band included The Clash’s “Clampdown” as a cover, which was released as the B-side for The End Has No End. I

In February 2005, Julian Casablancas wed long-time friend and assistant band manager Juliet Joslin. The Strokes had a three-concert South American tour in October 2005, with dates in Brazil, Chile, and Argentina.

In late September 2005, “Juicebox”, the first single from The Strokes then unreleased third album, was leaked online, forcing the single’s release date to be advanced. The single was then released as an exclusive on online download services. “Juicebox” became The Strokes’ second UK Top 10 hit, as well as their second US Modern Rock Top 10 success.

During November and December 2005 The Strokes did a promotional tour for the still unreleased album, which involved doing one-off shows in major cities around the world. T

heir third album, First Impressions of Earth, was released in January 2006 to mixed reviews and debuted at number four in the US and number one in the UK, a first for the band. In Japan it went gold within the first week of release.

It was also the most downloaded album for two weeks on iTunes. The band built a studio in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen called Red Carpet Studios to record the third album. Fraiture claimed that the album was “like a scientific breakthrough”.

In 2006, the band played 18 sold-out shows during their UK tour. In February 2006, The Strokes won “Best International Band” at the NME Awards. In March, the band returned to the US with their longest tour yet.

The second single off First Impressions of Earth, “Heart in a Cage”, was released in March 2006.

During the summer of 2006, The Strokes played several festival dates in Europe, including the Hultsfred Festival in Sweden, Roskilde Festival in Denmark, the Oxegen Festival in Ireland,the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the FIB in Benicàssim (Spain). They then toured Australia and Mexico in late August and early September, followed by the second leg of the United States tour.

While in the US, The Strokes opened for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers for five shows during their Highway Companion tour. The Strokes went on to complete another US tour. During this final tour Casablancas stated to fans that the band would be taking an extensive break after it finished.
An e-mail was sent out soon afterwards by Strokes manager Ryan Gentles, confirming that a “much needed break” would be taken. A new and improved band website went online in May 2007 along with the release of an alternate video to their single directed by Warren Fu “You Only Live Once” on imeem.com. In late 2007, the song “You Talk Way Too Much” was used in a commercial for the Ford Sync. The Strokes are currently on an “indefinite hiatus”, following a full North American and European Tour.

During the hiatus lead guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. released a solo album entitled: “Yours to Keep” which features The Strokes vocalist Julian Casablancas on bass in the song Scared. Julian and the other band members have collaborated with Pearl Jam’s Eddie Veder, QOTSA’s Josh Homme, among other notable musicians.

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Oryx Desert Salt supports !Xaus Lodge community

By Joe Wehinger — 2 years ago

Oryx Desert Salt supports !Xaus Lodge community

Transfrontier Park Destinations (TFPD) has a long-held vision of partnering with communities to commercialise their tourism assets, create sustainable job opportunities and encourage sustainable economic activity. It is with the invaluable support of homegrown, global companies that it’s been possible to build on this vision.

One of TFPD’s projects is !Xaus Lodge, (pronounced Kaus, with a traditional click) a now thriving 4-star graded and Fair Trade Tourism certified community-based tourism initiative, offering a unique Kalahari desert environment experience for visitors. It has recently championed the !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park, the ancestral home of the ǂKhomani San and Mier communities, being declared an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

!Xaus means ‘heart’ in the Nama language and the lodge is built on a dune overlooking a large heart-shaped salt pan. Born out of the !Ae !Hai Kalahari Heritage Park land claim settlement of 2002, it is owned by the local ǂKhomani San and Mier communities.

Glynn O’Leary, co-founder and CEO of TFPD, says: ‘ the ǂKhomani San and Mier communities are some of the most marginalised communities in South Africa so we are always delighted to channel funding from local businesses towards upliftment in these communities.”

He goes on to say, “I am excited that the historic multi-million rand global Rooibos industry has recently made its first annual pay out to the National Khoi and San Council and the South African San Council in a world-first, landmark agreement.” The Rooibos industry has pledged its commitment to environmental stewardship and protection of biodiversity, which is in alignment with TFPD’s own values of responsible environmentalism and tourism.

Similarly, Oryx Desert Salt supports !Xaus Lodge on an ongoing basis. O’Leary says, “We’re proud to be associated with Oryx Desert Salt as they sustainably harvest their sun-dried salt from 300 million-year-old underground rivers in a pristine area in the Kalahari Desert as well as package their product in a sustainable way.

It was their generous sponsorship that enabled our head chef, Lientjie Isaks, to travel to the UK for a once-in-a-lifetime UK- chef exchange experience.” Lientjie was able to bring back her freshly acquired skills to !Xaus Lodge, improving recipes and menus.

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Erin Michele Soto Rises Above Her Trauma to Return to Her Hit TV Series

By Joe Wehinger — 2 years ago

Erin Michele Soto Rises Through Her Trauma to Return to Her Hit TV Series

Audiences know Erin Michele Soto from her work in the miniseries Shirley and Shelly and the TV series Studio City, the smash hit and Emmy – winning drama.

Around the world audiences see stars on red carpets, TV and movie screens; and often never consider the challenges these performers face to live their dreams.

So many people recognize a star’s good looks, their talent, the laughs and tears from the characters they portray. But the audience doesn’t really get to know the person behind that work. Today Erin is sharing a deeper look into her journey.

Erin Michele Soto Reveals Her Bright and Her Dark

Recently we had a chance to sit down with Erin Michele Soto and she revealed the brightest and the darkest moments of her story and the excitement yet to come.

Erin Michele Soto

Like so many, Erin moved to Southern California with big Hollywood dreams. But she did not become the struggling cliche. She had the talent and good fortune to quickly find work as an actress and as a dancer.

Tragedy on a Celeb-Filled Dance Floor

Erin Michele Soto’s grace on the dance floor quickly brought her attention. She found A-list work immediately in Modern, Ballet, Jazz dance genres. Stars of the stage, small screen and silver screen all demanded her time, attention and help.

Erin Michele Soto Rises Above Her Trauma to Return to Her Hit TV Series

Then as her star was rising, suddenly it all crashed down. Literally. One day in the middle of dancing, Erin fell, hit her eye and the trauma from the fall punctured her brain.

The next moments created a chronic ailment that took Erin over a year for her to recover. The glitz and glamour lifestyle was replaced with being bed-ridden and living a small, dark, lonely life.

Hearing Soto reflect back today, there’s still a pain in her eyes and her voice. But a growing strength and courage in her soul.

Was her journey hard? Yes. Painful? Yes. Encouraging? No.

But, Erin wasn’t done yet.

Ironically, her body really thought she was finished. She rarely left the house. She couldn’t socialize with friends. She forgot how to do the smallest tasks constantly, things like closing her house door; she would routinely black out as she walked through her neighborhood.

The things most people find common, this talented star was suddenly struggling to complete.

“No One Can See My Pain”

Even worse, her mind was playing tricks on her.

This normally proud, healthy, optimistic person was suddenly having thoughts of self-harm. It was a dark time. The good news is, she knew better. Luckily, she never acted on those dark, harmful thoughts.

Your Village Supports Your Recovery Journey

To meet Erin is to fall in love with her. Her energy, her spirit, her intelligence, her motivation. Luckily, even in her darkest moments after her trauma, Erin’s community rallied to cheer her on and find ways to help her while she struggled to live daily life. She bravely chose to get professional mental help which also supported her and returned her closer to light and happiness.

She learned to over-power her own thoughts and regain positivity. She now meditates daily and credits that mental strength with her return to courage and creativity.

“I used my imagination

to get back into the world”

Back on Set

Just over a year after her life-changing trauma, Erin was itching to get back to performing. The injury focused her true passions in using her voice in acting. Performing, acting, dancing. But she was dealing with a very foreign feeling: insecurity. Could she remember her dialogue? Could her body move as gracefully as it used to? Would she feel as comfortable acting as she did before?

As a performer, Erin had to “learn to walk” again.

Erin was eager to return and try. She chose a small, local theater in SoCal’s modest San Fernando Valley.

“To her surprise, relief and excitement,

all of her worries went away.”

To her surprise, relief and excitement, all of her worries went away. Her mind and body cooperated and she had a blast performing again in front of huge crowds.

“If something brings you joy,

push through your fears”

Today, Erin is busier than ever. She’s currently working on projects for both stage and screen, taking meetings as an actress for both tv and film.

She credits her friends, family, health professionals and community with helping her overcome her dark moments. Her continued meditation keeps her mind clear and strong.

As a performer, she’s excited to be in front of an audience – whether you’re watching her in-person on stage, on your television or on the big screen.

With confidence, motivation, discipline and support from your community, everyone can rebound from their challenges and return to what they love. Erin Michele Soto is a brilliant and inspiring example of this.

Follow Erin Michele Soto on her social media at:

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialErinMicheleSoto

https://www.instagram.com/erinmichelesoto

https://twitter.com/erinmichelesoto

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Salif Keita at City Winery DC on Aug 24 part of 2022 U.S. Summer Tour (Late Show)

By Bill Hardwick — 2 years ago

Salif Keita at City Winery DC on Aug 24 part of 2022 U.S. Summer Tour (Late Show)

Salif Keïta is a Malian singer-songwriter, referred to as the “Golden Voice of Africa”. He is a member of the Keita royal family of Mali.

Salif Keita Family

Due to political unrest, Keita and his band-mates fled Mali in the mid-1970s. They settled in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The band (now named Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux) steadily grew in popularity in the ensuing years.

Salif Keita Backstory

Their 1978 album, Mandjou, became an overnight success in West Africa.

In 2001, Keita’s song “Tomorrow” was featured in the Will Smith film, Ali.

La Différence won Keita one of the biggest musical awards of his career: the Best World Music 2010 at the Victoires de la musique.

In 2013, after what he described as “threats” from the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign, he cancelled a performance in Israel.

He later published a letter on his Facebook page, stating that he decided to cancel the event because he was scared of “being harmed personally or professionally”, but clarified that he still “love[d] Israel”, slamming BDS as an “extremist group” who used “scare tactics and bullying”.

Salif Keïta’s Future

In November 2018 he announced his retirement from recording at a concert in Fana, Mali. The album Un Autre Blanc, which was released at the concert, would be his last.

Kendrick Lamar - The Big Steppers Tour Aug 4 at DC's Capital One Arena

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Kendrick Lamar – The Big Steppers Tour Aug 4 at DC’s Capital One Arena

By Bill Hardwick — 2 years ago

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.

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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