Wines of Chile Grand Tasting in Chicago

The "Wines of Chile Grand Tasting" was held at the Chicago Illuminating Company.
More than fifty wineries from Chile were presenting their wines - a treasure of wines all to be found in one place. the one thing that I found was that prizing was very encouraging and the US Consumer would be well advised to look toward wines from Chile, in particular to Sauvignon Blanc's and Chardonnay's - because of the quality and price point.
Steve Lefebvre, the owner of Vino LeFebvre as well as Tim Chapman and Karl S Mann from Vino Lefebvre attendet the Grand Tasting.
Chile is one of the Countries which Vino Lefebvre is currently wants to add to their portfolio - and there are great wines to be found.
I will travel to Santiago next Monday, then onto Mendoza and Buenos Aires.
More to follow later.

Steve LeFebvre talking to Anthony Crew of Bodegas Casa del Bosque, Casablanca Valley (one of the Vineyards I will visit)

New Wines at Vino LeFebvre

Our wine portfolio at Vino LeFebvre is always growing and expanding. Recently we added many new wines to it: Also, Spring has arrived and there are some great wines available for this wonderful time:

Jovly (Loire, France)- an off dry fresh Vouvray made from 100% Chenin Blanc - crisp, fresh and fruity - very easy
to enjoy!
VERUS (Slovenia) - from Slovenia we now have these amazing, aromatic wines available...all made in a very dry style. Janice Robinson went nuts over their Furmint. Available are Furmint, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc.

Patrick Lesec (Rhone, France): the new vintage of 2007 has arrived. Cotes du Rhone, Chateneuf Du Pape Pierre Doress that received an incredible 94 points from Parker.







Loring Wine Company: Brian Lorings Pinot Noir wines....Central Coast, Clos Pepe and Rosella's (96 points Pinot Report and92/93 points Wine Spectator) - small production 175 - 525 cases

Michael Gassier Wines( Costieres de Nimes, Southern Rhone): Chateau de Nages (GSM) and Les Piliers 100% Syrah both 90 points Wine Spectator - enjoy a glass of Chateau de Nages at Chatham Tap

Relativity Vineyards (California): Collision Point Cab and Sauvignon Blanc (Lake County) Cabernet Sauvingon (Sonoma), Pritchard Hill Cab (Napa) and Quantum Reserve (a blend similar to "Prisoner").

Monte de Luz (Uruguay): Cabernet Franc from DO San Jose....available at Mass.Ave. Wine shop and by the Glass at Chathams Tap and R-Bistro
Also....i am very happy and especially very proud to have our fantastic Sparkling Vouvray "Predilection" 2006 and the Chateau de Nages (GSM) now available at Gred Hardesty's RECESS Restaurant on College/49th St

Our Prosecco will be Bottled on may 1st (a DOCG Prosecco), the new Sparkling Cremant Rose (95% Cab.Franc 5% Chenin Blanc) from the Loire is ordered, and wines from Italy: Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Reserva, Rosso di Bolgheri, SuperTuscans and Brunello (Mastrojanni 2005) are coming soon

My first wine column in Glo Magazine Ft.Wayne April 2010

My relationship with wine
When growing up in Germany, I tasted sweet, German Rieslings first. Young people still tend to start with the sweeter wines first - maybe as a result of the sugar pop generation. Even the French in Alsace have changed their Rieslings back to sweeter versions.

When I started dating, I began experimenting with more serious wines. I wanted to impress my date with something better than Riesling. At the time, red Bordeaux, Rhone or Italian reds were popular. Just as my relationship changed and became more serious, so did my relationship with wine. My journey in life opened my eyes to wine. While not everyone gets to travel the world and develop an appreciation for food and wine like I did, we are all introduced to new wines through friends and aqn ever-expanding social world.

Just like my relationship with my wife has matured - my relationship with wine has matured. I am picky. Bordeaux; Burgundy; big bold wines from Argentina; always Italian Barolo and Brunello (for my wife, Barbaresco); and the exciting, biodynamic and cult wines from California. I have enjoyed my journey through life wine wine. I collect the good ones when I can and when a big anniversary comes up, it's no longer a decision of which wine to pick from my favorite store, but which wine to open from the special wines collected over time.

Yes, I have a relationship with wine. It is a very personal relationship. tastes change and mature over time. I know what I like and live by the phrase, "Life is too short to drink bad wines".


GLO Magazine of Ft.Wayne, In is aimed for the modern women of today. the april issue was an issue about relationships.

News

Please forgive me that I have not published any new post lately...I have been very busy.
I had a wonderful wine dinner with the representative of Bodegas Heredad-Ugarte (and Bodgegas Mercedes-Eguren) on April 8th, 2008 at the wonderful Skyline Club - 36th Floor at the America One Building Downtown Indianapols.Chef Scott Reifenberger created a fantastic menu that we matched with corresponding wines. the next day we were poring all the Bodegas Heredad-Ugarte wines and the Mercedes-Eguren wines at the new Crown Wine & Spirits store in downtown Indianapolis after being invited there by Michael and Jennifer Sprinkle. One week later the Wine Spectator rated our Mercedes-Eguren Cabernet Sauvignon from Spain with 89 points - this wine is mostly available for under $ 10.00.
The following week Crown Wine & Spirits hosted their first annual Spring Tasting. I presented 7 wines at the tasting which were all very well received.

Today I will be in Bloomington at the Limestone Grill were Chef Tad and his wife Linda are hosting an incredible Burgundian Wine Dinner. Time allowing I may write about this wine dinner later this week.

On Tuesday I will be in Chicago attending the Wines of Chile Grand Tasting where more than 50 wineries from Chile present their wines. Good timing.....I am meeting with representatives of wineries that I will visit during my next trip to South America from May 3rd through May 18th.
My wife Patty is presenting at the WFOT conference in Santiago while I visit vineyards. We will also be in Mendoza - and this time visit Cuvelier los Andes at Clos des Siete -, Buenos Aires, and if time allows Montevideo/Uruguay.

In the meantime I have also been writing a wine column "UnCork'd" for a magazine "Glow" in Ft. Wayne. The first article was already published and was titled "My relationship with wine", the second article should be published right now and was about wines for Mother's Day.

Well, chin...chin......

New Cars

Maybe you have noticed us on the road already....if not, Vino LeFebvre just added two new company cars to heir fleet. This should make customer contact/service much easier and efficient. The graphics were designed around wines that are in our portfolio.
Does this give driving under the influence a new meaning?