THE WHITE WINE WAR IN FRANCE: TWO CLASSIC WINES, BLIND!

BARRAMUNDAYS WINE & VINYL

Tonight will be a rare treat: how often do we get to taste two of France's most famous, classic styles of white wine against each other?


Sancerre vs Chablis

Sancerre:
Grown in the Central Vineyards" of the Loire Valley, which has a continental climate: short hot summers and long cold winters strongly effect the maturation of the fruit. The wines tend to be highly aromatic and very dry. 100% Sauvignon Blanc (for white wines).

Chablis:
These white wines are 100% Chardonnay, and very dry with a higher acidity than most other Chardonnays. This is due to the cool climate in which the grapes are grown- the northernmost disctrict of Burgundy. Chablis are mostly unoaked, and are often characterized by "gunflint" or steely notes.

How are these wines different? And more interestingly, how are they the same? Here we are looking to explore the varietal characteristics of each: what's great about these two is that they are made to be purer expressions of each grape- very little interference during the winemaking process. Both are dry and with pure aromas and mineral notes- terrior is important here.

Try them both tonight, for free. Drink them for $8 a glass (ridiculously discounted). Paired with delicious cheese from Saxelby's.

DJ Ilmo spins vinyl all night long.

at Barramundi
67 Clinton St.
NYC

Malbec Blind Tasting: The War in Cahors

BARRAMUNDAYS WINE & VINYL
Auxerrois, Cot, Pressac = Malbec


Rich, smooth tannins and big fruit laced with vanilla and tobacco are characteristics of the wine most commonly associated with Argentina: Malbec. (The grape was introduced to the region in the mid-nineteenth century). Tonight, however, we turn towards the Old World to find out how the climate and geography of Cahors, France influences this grape. After all, Malbec originated there as much as 2,000 years ago!

The popularity of "the Black Wine of Cahors" increased greatly especially among the English following the marriage in 1152 of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry Plantagenet, soon to be King of England. This support was cemented under the protection of Henry Plantagenet's successor, Henry the 3rd. Now that Argentinian Malbecs enjoy so much popularity in the new world, Cahors is beginning to come back into it's own: especially now that many producers are naming their wines Malbec instead of the old local terms Auxerrois, or Cot.

Join us for a blind tasting that will open your eyes: how does the more austere terrior of France influence this well-loved wine? We will be pouring two traditional wines paired with one more geared towards our American taste profile.

With our own DJ Ilmo spinning vinyl all night. And cheese from Saxelby's.

Tonight!
at Barramundi
67 Clinton St.

NYC

BEAUJOLAIS BATTLE, Part Deux

BARRAMUNDAYS WINE & VINYL

We are drinking the wine..

In the chilly depths of January, Barramundays brought you a Beaujolais Battle to add a little joie de vivre to a rough time of year- Christmas was long gone and we were all paying the piper, as it were, with our credit card bills due and Springtime just a misty dream..

Well here we are,it's 82 degrees outside (!), the flowers are blooming, taxes are due, and I think the time is ripe to bring back the Beaujolais! Especially since the season is here a few weeks early- like the Gamay grape itself.

The last time these two contenders faced off, the Brouilly kicked butt..

Chateau des Tours 2010 (Brouilly)
There is more complexity there, with lovely aromas of Violets and berries. This is a Cru Beaujolais, (the highest classification), from one of the 10 villages or areas in the Beaujolais mountains.

Please don't count this next one out, however. We've been finding that general appreciation of a particular wine varies widely depending on the context: season, weather, and what wine(s) are competing.


Chateau des Petieres 2010 (Beaujolais)
Lively, fresh and fruity, with aromas of raspberries. A typical, quaffable, well-made Beaujolais. I'm going to go out on a limb and say this one might win tonight..

Both wines free to taste and only $8 a glass, paired with cheese from Saxelby's.

DJ Ilmo spins eclectic lounge all night long!

at Barramundi
67 Clinton St
NYC

LISA'S WEDNESDAY WINE-ING - SANCERRE BATTLE RESULTS

WAR IN THE SOUTH: THE REDS OF SOUTHERN FRANCE

BARRAMUNDAYS, WINE & VINYL
Something for everyone

The wines of Southern France are fabulous for so many reasons: the amazing array of grape varieties, appellations, and styles can keep an eager wine slave busy for a very long time. A bonus: great values. Sip your way through the region, starting with tonight's..






War in the South: the Reds of Southern France.

Cahors –Chateau de Haute-Serre 2010
100% Malbec (known locally as Auxerrois or Cot), and inky dark & rugged, will challenge these two blends below. Watch out though, because the 2008 won the bronze medal in open competition at the Agricole Paris 2010, and the gold in the competition at Macon.

St Chinian – Domaine Jougla, Initiale 2009
A traditional Rhone style blend, Mourvedre (40%), Grenache (30%), Syrah (30%), food friendly and benefiting from excellent soil, (schist, clay and limestone), close to the Mediterranean Sea. Peppery flavors with aromas of blackberry and cherry jam.

Lirac – Domaine Pelaquie 2009
The family Pelaquie has been making wine in the region since the 16th century. This is a medium bodied blend of Grenache/Mourvedre from the Southern Rhone, soft with good acidity and much fruit-  especially raspberry and black cherry.

With cheese from Saxelby's. DJ Ilmo spins vinyl.

Tonight
at Barramundi
67 Clinton St
NYC