Please The Palate Pick of the Week: Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes

Written by Allison Levine on November 10, 2018

Wine

Sauternes are the famous white dessert wines from Bordeaux, France and Chateau d’Yquem is considered the greatest of them all. But when a half-bottle costs more than $200, it is not a wine that I get to drink very often, if at all. But this week, I had the privilege to taste the 2005 and the 2016 at a tasting and hence the liquid gold is the Please The Palate pick of the week.

Sauternes is located 40 miles south of Bordeaux city. The village is devoted to the production of high-quality dessert wines made primarily with Semillon, but also Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. The grapes ripen and are susceptible to “noble rot”, a common occurrence in Sauternes due to the climate, which causes the grapes to become partially raisined. The result is a sublime wine with concentrated flavors.

Chateau d’Yquem was founded in 1593 and is a First Growth Wine. It is the only Sauternes classified in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. This perceived superiority is what contributes to the higher prices.

Chateau d’Yquem 2016 has aromas of honey, lemon curd, pineapple, lime zest and orange blossoms. It is fresh and rich on the palate with a long finish.

Chateau d’Yquem 2005 is a brilliant golden color. The nose has citrus, apricot, floral and vanilla aromas and on the palate, it has a rich, velvety texture.

What a treat to taste the revered Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes this week and it is no doubt why it is the Please The Plate pick of the week.

Setúbal – an old region is new to the U.S.

Written by Allison Levine on November 6, 2018

Wine

I love exploring wine regions and trying new wines and the newest region that I tried for the first time is an old region. It is the Peninsula de Setúbal located in the Southwest of Portugal. Most famous for their fortified Moscatel de Setúbal, which is very delicious, they also produce high quality still wines that are also great values. I was so impressed with the wine that I wrote my column in the Napa Valley Register about them which you can read here.

Living in the United States, we are exposed to many wines from around the world: France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and Spain, to name a few countries. But, what about Portugal? I am familiar with the fortified wines of Madeira and Porto and have tasted some still wines from Alentejo and Dao. But when I was asked to organize some intimate events for the region of Setúbal, my curiosity was piqued.

The first challenge was saying Setúbal properly. After some practice with the Portuguese speakers, I was finally able to properly say it – “StUbal”. Remove the first “e” and stress the “u” and you, too, can sound like you speak Portuguese.

A Wine and Food Pairing Experience at Jardin d’Hiver at Domaine Carneros

Written by Allison Levine on November 1, 2018

Wine

A visit to Napa or Sonoma is not complete without a stop at Domaine Carneros. Located in the Carneros AVA, between Napa and Sonoma counties, the eye-catching Domaine Carneros sits on a hill in its grandiosity. Owned by the Tattinger family, the magnificent château was inspired by the 18^thcentury Château de la Marquetterie, the Taittinger family residence in the Champagne region.

To get to the château, you walk up a large set of stairs. At the top, you will be greeted and seated at a table along the outdoor terrace where you can enjoy a flight of wine or a glass of wine. It is a relaxing, elegant wine tasting experience. But, Domaine Carneros has now taken it to the next level with the Jardin d’Hiver, a garden conservatory.