LYRA MAG.

S amples From the Bernard Magrez Portfolio of Wines  Grand Crus Classés Bordeaux reds are Valentine's Day perfect -and relatively speaking-are good values vs the trophy red Burgundies. THE Highlight: Grand Crus Classés Bordeaux Reds  from the esteemed Bernard Magrez collection included our favorite-and imo-well priced 2009 blend from  Chateau Pape Clément . This "urban" winery-  dates back to the 13th century(!!!!!)..and is in the Pessac Leognan appellation not far from the center of the Bordeaux region. What we tried-the 2009 vintage-is terrific...a hand picked, earthy intoxicating aromatic blend - with a wonderful  elegant finish-  a complex fusion of deep fruits, leather, smoky-lovely pepper hints (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc). Many foods including  Asian...would pair well. Priced in the USA around $170+ FYI: this jewel in Magrez portfolio-has white gloved employees de-stemming berry ...

R ed Wine made from the glorious Sangiovese grape- are sipping delights of any Tuscan trip. Benvenuto Brunello NYC 2019 And since the early 2000s, affordable and trophy bottles of this Italian  wine produced in an area 80 km south of Florence- are readily available here too. For consumers-the DOC (aged one year Rossi di Montalcino) and  DOCG designation (aged 2 years in oak- typically 5 years-with 6 years for Riserva)-appear on the bottle labels assure inhibiters of the origins of Brunello di Montalcino sold. WHAT TO EXPECT: With clay to rocky shale-limestone soils depending on elevation, southern/northern slopes, and weather that reflects sea and mountain breezes not too far way...the samples we tried had finishes ranging from bold-sometimes balsamic tastes to a more refined elegance (5-6 years aged in oak), notable tannins for all -some with balanced acidity (how aged) -and really there black berry flavors -that also varied, depending on age and vintage. ...

La Sirena /Maritime Hotel ( yes on the list)  Perfect weather, combined with a spacious outdoor setting (the Cabanas) -Rhone Valley wines (new releases, white, reds, rosés), Italian fare -and hosts Wine Enthusiast's celebratory best 100 restaurants issues= a pretty perfect Monday evening. Terroirs Press/professionals in the biz gathered for an interesting pre-tasting panel on trends in restaurants -and their wine lists-food, customer wants, and we would say updated attitudes about all of the aforementioned. WE Food Editor Nils Bernstein on far right hosted the round table...(l-r)  Four Horsemen (Brooklyn) and Executive Chef. Nick Curtola (from that borough's popular Franny's),  Victoria James, Chef Sommelier at Piora -a certified sommelier at 20 years old and winner of Ruinart Sommelier Competition  and  Best Sommelier of Languedoc-Roussillon - and an author-of a book celebrating Rosé (now 26!!!), and far left- Michaël Engelmann, MS, Wine Dir...

via GIPHY Oui, Oui...French Fries gone gourmet...by The Smith Restaurant...Fries with brandied mushroom aioli, white truffle, melange peppercorns Competition of sorts...but honestly---french fries cooked professionally are always  really good to great...especially when paired with selections of wines from southwest France.

via GIPHY source: hellogiggles.com Sparkling and ready to drink whites...top French Loire Valley + Italian wine picks ... Looire Valley Wines: Crisp dry white varietals, rich aromatic white varietals, sweet wines, dry and off dry rosés, fruity reds,  earthy reds, and sparkling. Sparkling Wine, Chenin Blanc $20 Ferrari Brut -Sparkling Trentdoc-100% Chardonnay

 NYC-IAC Building VIAS IMPORTS GRAND PORTFOLIO TASTING Hundreds  of delicious wines, liqueurs, and spirits/cordials -from 91 wineries+ several countries including Italy (mostly), France, Spain, USA (CA, WS, NY, VA), Argentina, Austria, and even Colombia and Lebanon..brought out crowds of industry insiders, restaurant owners, distributors and media...for a six hour professional tasting. We'd say the producers and event staff -helping with the sampling of sips-got an arm workout, for sure...but -seemed very happy to be there. All that good wine... DUH. via GIPHY Highlights were numerous...there are indigenous grapes (83!!!) as well as found around the world grapes -all with their own unique characteristics (terroir, weather...)...and of course, each vintner imparts knowledge and  specialness onto production/blends/aging...vintages typically from 2008-2014 with most 2011+. Pleasant surprises include-the variety of Prosecco s -the sparkling Italian white w...