Quick Sips: Chateau Vannieres with Eric Boisseaux

Eric Boisseaux of Chateau Vannieres in Bandol sharing his great wines with our French wine buyer Josh Hoover, including some with age from '88,'95, '01 and '09. The Rosé was delicious too. -Gary Faust

May Wine of the Month: Juliette 2015 Vin de Pays de Mediterranée Rosé

"It's the most wonderful time of the year..." Of course, we are talking about Dry French Rose season which is just starting; we loved this one so much, we made it our wine of the month. Juliette comes from the Provence region of Southern France, home of the most exquisite and traditional rose wines in the world (and you'll see many more in the next few months!). Produced at the maison of Domaine de La Sangliere, Juliette is a true expression of a traditional Provencal rose wine.

The Style - Juliette is refreshing and elegant, bone dry rose wine, with layers of lively fruit and a bright, smooth finish-just the way a true rose wine from Southern France should be.

Tasting Notes - Elegant and pretty, soft fruits resonate in the nose with layers of mixed melons, plantain, ripe peach and a touch of creme fraiche. The palate is hugely lush yet tempered with acidity. Minerally notes and stone fruits dance with light brown spices and a touch of sea salt/salt air-and the finish echoes with gently receding fruit flavors.

Pairing Notes - Juliette is also an exceptional food wine that pairs with so many different types of cuisines. While Juliette serves an excellent standalone aperitif wine, Juliette is a perfect pair for grilled fish, seafood, steamed fish, lobster, shellfish, bouillabaisse and other traditional Provencal cuisine.

$9.99 750ml [345444] Buy it here.

Chardonnay Symposium May 12-14

7th Annual International Chardonnay Symposium
May 12-14, 2016
 

Please join us at our annual global gathering of the world’s top Chardonnay producers at the 7th Annual International Chardonnay Symposium, hosted by the stunning coastal communities of Pismo Beach, Avila Beach and the Edna Valley wine region.
 
Our Symposium showcases the finest wines from the world’s most notable Chardonnay wine producing regions, like Chablis, Russian River, Australia, Napa Valley, Chile, South Africa and beyond. This year’s French Forum will have an expert-led exploration of France’s quintessential Chardonnay regions, such as Chablis Champagne, Montrachet, Pouilly-Fuissé, Languedoc-Roussillon and Meursault. Moderated by Master Sommelier Bob Bath, from the Culinary Institute of America, it includes Claude Rouquet from the Boisset Collection, Bruno Laclotte from Charton et Trebuchet, Bernard Retornez from Maison Louis Latour, Kyle Kaplan from Piper-Heidsieck, and Geoffroy de La Besnardière from Domaine de l’Arjolle.
 
The French Forum is but one of the many fascinating panel discussions. Others include: Wente Clone Comparative Tasting, What’s Oak Got to Do With It?,Pairing Chardonnay With Artisanal Cheeses, Taste the Difference: Exploring California’s Distinct Chardonnay Regions and Hone Your Chardonnay Blind-Tasting Skills. Other exceptional events include The Grand Tasting at Greengate Ranch & Vineyard, Vintners’ Wine Tech Symposium, Sommelier Chardonnay Challenge, La Paulée Dinner & Vintners Awards Ceremony, and this year’s featured  Pét-Nat and Sparkling Wine & Oysters Gala.
 
As one of our preferred subscribers, we have extended our discount code “hitime2016" for you to receive 20% off your Symposium tickets. For more details on this event and to purchase your tickets, click here!
 
This is an exclusive event and we look forward to seeing you!

Hospice du Rhone

Our California (Dan Williams) and French (Josh Hoover) wine buyers are up in Paso Robles this weekend at the Hospice du Rhone... Dan is offering up tidbits and photos on his Instagram which we are sharing here (and on our instagram).

Dan: Concrete fermenters at Epoch Estate in Paso Robles. This winery makes some of the best wines in the region. We just sampled the 2014 Zin out of tank...and it is AMAZING! Let @hospicedurhone begin!

Dan: Some old vines here in Paso Robles. Stoked to be here for the @hospicedurhone event! Over the next few days our French wine buyer @whooever and I will taste countless of Rhone-style wines (Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, Chateauneuf du Pape, etc.) from around the world, and bring some real show stoppers back to our store.

 

We look forward to tasting the wines they discover!

Wine Happenings

Burgundy
Gregory Patriat, winemaker for Boisset pouring some of his white and red wine from Burgundy. Reasonably priced, elegant wines. -Gary Faust

Wine Bar!
Ancient Peaks is a stunning property in Paso Robles. The owner and winemaker will be at our wine bar Thursday evening, April 7th,  pouring their wines, talking about their vineyards, and just having fun! Just $20, open 4:30-8:30 p.m. - Dan Williams

On Friday night (4/8), we will taste some newly released beauties from the Golden State! $25, 4:30-8:30 p.m.


On Saturday (4/9) we are tasting the wines of Herman Story and Desparada-- with both winemakers in attendance!

Both wineries have made HUGE splashes over the years, crafting intense & complex reds & whites from Paso Robles & Santa Barbara County. Tonight we'll have both Russell & Valia, respective winemakers for Herman Story & Desparada, pouring new releases! $30, 2-8:30 p.m.

Wine Bar: This Weekend

Tonight (Thursday, 3/24) at the winebar it's all about 2011 Barolo!  We will taste a fantastic lineup of classic, classy Italian wines... $35, 4:30-8:30 p.m.

Friday night (3/25) we are tasting new releases from France and it will be another excellent night for wine tasting! $25, 4:30-8:30 p.m.

We don't have the lineup yet but Saturday's tasting (Spring Paella Party with Spanish Wines) looks to be another great time at Hi-Time! ($30, 2-8:30 p.m.).

French Wine - New Releases!

Freshies!  New wines in the French wine category...click on the photograph to get a 'close-up' view.  We will be telling you more about some of these shortly or look for them on our website... cheers!

Winemakers Visit Hi-Time Wine Cellars

Gary Faust reports: Winemakers David Duband from Burgundy and Jean-Louis Dutraive of Domaine de La Grand'Cour from Beaujolais, visited Hi-Time from France (...and lucky for us, they brought some of their wines with them! -ed.).