Tuscan Adventures by Leah Bickford

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Tuscan Adventures By Leah Bickford I arrived safely this evening to the City of Florence (Firenze in Italia).  Highlights of my journey include: meeting Dave Grohl’s doppelganger, nearly stepping into an elevator seconds before a city-wide power outage….oh and a 5 second shuttle bus ride!  I am reminded of the Italians and their warm, but no change in organization I’m afraid. I have the pleasure of staying in Florence a couple of days before I hit the road and start tasting.   It is the capital of Tuscany, with an alleged 382,000 inhabitants! I am interested to hear how the 2015 vintage is shaping us as well as taste some of the ‘13s and ‘14s in the Tuscan region. It’s difficult … (Click for more)

Staff Pick: Gaston Chiquet Brut Blanc de Blancs d’Ay 1.5L

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You can be a fan of large format bottles for more than just practical reasons; they are big, bold, and impressive to your guests. If you’re looking for more of a pear taste than green apple – with a graceful mix of perfume and pure fruit that is likely to go down easy – look no further than this beautiful bubbly made from Chardonnay. This magnum is sure to disappear quickly as your guests ask for seconds (or thirds). -Reviewed by Robert, Marquis Wine Cellars Grapes: Chardonnay Producer: Gaston Chiquet Vintage: NV Country: France Region: Champagne Price: $139.16 (plus taxes & deposit) Buy here!

Staff Pick: Champagne Jacques Picard Brut NV Grand Cru

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The grape varieties in this champagne are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It shows yeasty aromas and elegant flavors of pear and green apple. The long crisp citrusy finish make it very food friendly. Enjoy with pork, poultry and fish. -Reviewed by Chrystala Georgiou, Marquis Wine Cellars   Grapes: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir Producer: Jacques Picard Vintage: NV Country: France Region: Champagne Price: $62.52 (plus taxes & deposit) Buy here!

Staff Pick: Champagne Le Brun Servenay 2005 Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru

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Intense, powerful, full-bodied champagne. Toasty, honeyed, pastry-like aromas and a creamy, richly textured palate. This makes for glorious drinking, and will stand up to any number of full flavoured dishes. -Reviewed by Jesse Richmond, Marquis Wine Cellars Grapes: Chardonnay Producer: Le Brun Servenay Vintage: 2005 Country: France Region: Champagne Price: $86.87 (plus taxes & deposit) Buy here!

Staff Pick: Champagne Jacques Picard Brut Rose Grand Cru

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The grape varieties in this champagne are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It shows yeasty aromas and elegant flavors of pear and green apple. The long crisp citrusy finish make it very food friendly. Enjoy with pork, poultry and fish. -Reviewed by Chrystala Georgiou, Marquis Wine Cellars Grapes: Blend Producer: Jacques Picard Vintage: NV Country: France Region: Champagne Price: $73.92 (plus taxes & deposit) Buy here!

Staff Pick: Champagne Jacquesson 2007/08 Dizy

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Jacquesson stopped making blended rosés after 1997 in favor of rosé de macération (saignée) from a specific site, which better suited its philosophical outlook. This was done in 2003 and 2004, and the site chosen was Terres Rouges, a vineyard growing on a broad bench below the Reims Mountain but up above the town of Dizy. The red soil is limestone-based on top of chalky silts, and the Chiquets farm nearly 15 acres here, dedicating a 3.3 acre parcel of Pinot Noir to the production of this rosé. In 2008, they tweaked the method of production, de-stemming all of the grapes and letting half of them macerate in tank for 25 hours (as was done entirely in 2003 and 2004); while the … (Click for more)

Staff Pick: Champagne Jacquesson Cuvee 733

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Lively citrus notes, predominately grapefruit and lemon, with an amazing smokiness and minerality to the finish.  52% Chardonnay, 24% each Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, predominately from the 2005 vintage.  The best part about this particular bottle of bubbles is that it’s drinking at its absolute best right now, no need to age! -Reviewed by Alex Spier, Marquis Wine Cellars   Wine: Blend Producer: Jacquesson Vintage: Mostly 2005 Country: France Region: Champagne Price: $117.39 (plus taxes & deposit) Buy here!

Staff Pick: Champagne Gaston Chiquet Brut Grand Cru “Blanc de Blancs”

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Super expressive and long, creamy like a Blanc de Blancs ought to be creamy. As good as a vintage Champagne, because it actually is a vintage Champagne, which Chiquet prefers not to declare, leaving the vintage designation for his premium bottling of late-disgorged wine from the same year.” -Reviewed by Jesse Richmond, Marquis Wine Cellars   Wine: Pinot Noir Producer: Gaston Chiquet Vintage: N/V Country: France Region: Champagne Price: $63.48 (plus taxes & deposit) Buy here!

Staff Pick: Champagne Gaston Chiquet Rose

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This elegant light pink Champagne is made from 40% Pinot Meunier, 30%  Pinot Noir, and 30% Chardonnay. It displays exotic aromas of citrus and red berry, with strawberry and red current on the pallet and a long finish. -Reviewed by Chrystala Georgiou, Marquis Wine Cellars   Wine: Blend Producer: Gaston Chiquet Vintage: N/V Country: France Region: Champagne Price: $60.87 (plus taxes & deposit) Buy here!

Staff Pick: Champagne Gaston Chiquet Tradition Brut

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As its name implies, this is a traditionally blended champagne. Wonderfully balanced and creamy with chalky herbal undertones and toastiness. A great crowd pleaser -Reviewed by Christopher Cox, Marquis Wine Cellars   Wine: Pinot Noir Producer: Gaston Chiquet Tradition Brut Vintage: N/V Country: France Region: Champagne Price: $58.26 (plus taxes & deposit) Buy here!