Chateau Margaux

Sandrine Garbay, Cellar Master of Chateau d’Yquem.

Chateau d’Yquem

WINE, n.Fermented grape-juice known to the Women’s Christian Union as “liquor,” sometimes as “rum.” Wine, madam, is God’s next best gift to man.
Ambrose Bierce “The Devil’s Dictionary”, 1911

Research from the University of Florence found that Women who have two glasses of wine a day have better sex than those who don’t…

How this data was gathered is beyond my understanding. I like to imagine a mad Italian scientist somewhere in Tuscany getting women tipsy to indulge in passionate lovemaking to serve his research.

But mes amis, you can’t argue with science and according to The Journal of Sexual Medicine :

“Women who drank two glasses of wine a day scored an average of 27.3 points out of a possible 36 on the satisfaction scale, while those who stopped at one glass scored a 25.9 average. Non-drinkers averaged a 24.4.”

“Historically, the aspects of wine and sexuality have been well known since the time of Ancient Greece,” said the study’s leader, Dr. Nicola Mondaini.

So when Michael Belardo, a wine connaisseur-turned-photographer, mentioned his 60 second cheat-sheet to me on French Wines and their origins, I begged him to share it with us.  Now She is French readers can know which regions to order those 2 glasses of wine from on their way to the bedroom…

Of course, She had to ask some of Michael’s most sensual picks. Seems we share the same taste: Champagne Rosé for every occasion!

She: What do you love so much about wine?
MB: I love the sensuality of it, and the smell and the way it taste.

She: What is in your view the most sensual one and why?
MB: Great Champagne is always perfect, Rose is the One. Great Bordeaux, Great Barolo, Great Burgundy maybe the most sensual.

She: Any suggestion for a first date?
MB: Champagne, Rosé! For sexy ending to the evening, (Sauterne. Ch Y’Quem) Expensive and worth it, Amazing.

She: What Rosé would you recommend to drink?
MB: There are so many, I love the Bellavista (Methode Chamnpenoise) Italia, Rose, French Champagne Rosé pick one or a still like Domaine Ott.

She: How did you get into photography?
MB: My love of wine, when I started I needed something to do with my hands and I wanted to show the vineyards to anyone who would look, so I started shooting.

Thank you Micheal

(SORRY but I haven’t figured out the pdf thing yet… hopefully this should be done soon!)

THE 60 SECOND FRENCH WINE COURSE
Produced by Michael Belardo for MJB Enterprises, Inc. 212-647-7319 ©2009
WHITES:

Champagne, 90 Mile Region Northwest of Paris, The Romans were the first to plant vineyards in this area of northeast France with the region being cultivated by at least the 5th century, possibly earlier. The wine is made in Champagne in the methode champenoise style, this is Champagne, from Rheims to Epernay, 71,000 acres. The grapes are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Menunier. There is a second fermentation in the bottle which gives Champagne its bubbles, the wines are turned by hand each day of aging which is called the remuage or riddling.
Champagne is a blend of many wines from different grape varieties, different villages and districts within the region, the name of the producer is more important than the Vintage. Get to know them and they will always be reliable for you.
Bordeaux, only 25% would be white from varietals such as Sauvignon
& Semillon. Other varietals are Muscadelle, Colombard & Ugni Blanc. The finest
Wines carry the name of the Chateau. There are no guarantees that Chateau bottled wines guarantee quality.
Inexpensive are usually labeled Bordeaux Superieur or Proprietary brands.
Graves, is the premier area for whites. Graves means gravel and the name comes from the terrior. The red and whites were classified in 1953 and again in 1959. Most famous White Bordeaux is from Graves, Chateau Haut Brion Sauternes, Situated 30 miles southeast of Bordeaux this is the capital of sweet wines. There are five townships, Preignac, Bommes,
Fargues, Barsac and Sauternes itself. The grapes used to make Sauterne are Semillon, Sauvignon & Muscadelle.
The grapes are left on the vine to benefit from Botrytis cinerea a mold know as the noble rot. The sweet juice ferments into Alcohol and 5-8% residual sugar. It is sweet and honeyed and very complex.
The best and most famous is Chateau Y’Quem and the most expensive.
Burgundy, white wine (chardonnay) produced in the Cote de Beaune, the Villages, Aloxe Corton, Meursault, Puligny Montrachet, Chassagne Montrachet. A limited amount of white is produced in Morey Saint Denis, Vougeot, and Nuits St. Georges.
Macon, Important town on the Saone river in Southern Burgundy, Chardonnay is 2/3 of the production.
Cote Chalonnaise, South of the Cote d’Or, Best know are Mercurey, Givry, Montagny and Rully. (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir)
Chablis, 110 southeast of Paris, (dept of the Yonne) the primary grape is Chardonnay. Chablis means white, A.C., Petit Chablis,
Premier Cru and Grand Cru. The Premier and Grand Cru, are very good wines. Chablis is a burgundy, but the vineyards are closer
To Champagne, (Northern). In good years, lovely wines with lively acidity, pale straw color, with flavor and complexity. In an off year can be thin and tart.
Loire, The longest river in France from west of Lyons to the Atlantic near nantes, many different provinces and viticultural Areas. 40 Appellations Controlees along the river. The wines and the towns, Muscadet near Nantes, Rose Anjou from Anjou, then Saumur, Sparkling Chenin Blanc, Chinon, onto Tours and Vouvray, then Sancere and Pouilly sur Loire and Pouilly Fume. The grape here, is sauvignon blanc. This is the Loire Valley.
Jura, Eastern France, parallel to the Cote d’Or, Whites, Reds and Rose, Arbois best know.
Savoie, Further South in Eastern France, Savoie and Haut Savoie are situated near Lake Geneva. Light dry white from the Jacquere and Altesse (Roussette) grapes. Reds are from Gamay Mondeuse. Best know appellation from Savoie are Crepy and Seyssel.Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, From North to South, Vienne (Cote Rotie) to Avignon, (Tavel and Chateauneuf-du-Pape)
For whites, Marsanne,Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Bourboulene prevail. Roses are produced in Tavel and Lirac. Whites are few, 2% of production from appellations as Condrieu and Chateau-Grillet made from Viognier. There are also full bodied Whites from Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage. There is Saint-Peray made from Marsanne and Rousanne and the white Cotes du Rhone and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Alsace, Bordering on the Rhone, North of Switzerland. Planted with Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Chasselas. AOC established in 1962 including 90 Villages. The wines are marked with the varietal and Must be 100% of the variety. The wines are completely dry, intensely flavored and very assertive, some of Frances most interesting whites.

REDS:
Bordeaux, Northwestern France, region is along the Gironde River (going south) starting with St. Estephe, Pauillac, Margaux, Graves and Sauternes. The river splits at Margaux and becomes the Dordogne going toward Fronsac, Pomerol & Saint Emillion. There are Five First Growths which are the Top Wines of Bordeaux Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Latour, Chateau Margaux, Chateau Mouton Rothschild* (*reclassified as a First Growth in 1973),
Chateau Haut-Brion, then also top wines, Second Growths, Third Growths, Fourth Growths, and Fifth Growths. Today all of these wines have improved and our some of the greatest in the world of wine. These wines were first classified in the 1855 Exhibition for the Medoc. In 1955 the wines of Saint Emilion were classified and reclassified in 1985. St. Emilion has nine Premier Grand Cru Classes. Graves was classified in 1953 and revised in 1959. Pomerol has never been classified but have enjoyed fame by their quality. Chateau Petrus is at the Pinacle. The grapes that make Bordeaux are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot. Cabernet predominate the Medoc & Graves giving backbone and character, Merlot comes from Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, softer more supple. Merlot is ½ the red
wine hectares.
Burgundy, Pinot Noir, too many owners and small vineyards to classify. The Cote d’Or is where the vineyards reside. Classification of 1861 was the beginning of the organization Of the Appelation Controlee regulations established in the 1930’s which led to the List of Grand Cru’s and Premier Cru’s. Communes, Red Wines, Cote de Nuits, Gevrey Chambertin, Morey Saint Denis, Chambolle Musigny, Vougeot, Flgey Echezeaux, Vosne Romanee, Nuits Saint
George, Cote de Beaune, Pernand Vergelesses, Savigny Les Beaune, Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, Auxey, Monthelie, Chassagne Montrachet, Santenay. Also reds from the Macon, Gamay and Pinot Noir.
Beaujolais, Located in Southern Burgundy. The grape is Gamay, The Cru’s of Beaujolais are considered the best, Brouilly, chenas, Chiroubles, Cote de Brouilly, Fleurie, Julienas, Morgon, Moulin-A-Vent, Regnie and Saint Amour. Most drink Beaujolais Villages, but drink the Cru’s they are far more enjoyable.
Cotes du Rhone, Rhone Reds are King here, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault. The Cotes du Ventoux (East of Avignon) region is coming on with very good wines. Names to know, Cote Rotie, Chateau Grillet, Condrieu, Hermitage, Crozes Hermitage, Cornas, St. Peray, Gigondas, Beaumes-de-Venise, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Tavel.
Cahors, Southwest France, Principal grape is Malbec, Merlot, Tannat Jurancon Rouge, (Dame Noire) Solid well structured wines.
Jura, Eastern France, parallel to the Cote d’Or, Whites, Reds and Rose, Arbois best know.
Savoie, Further South in Eastern France, Savoie and Haut Savoie are situated near Lake Geneva. Light dry white from the Jacquere and Altesse (Roussette) grapes. Reds are from Gamay Mondeuse. Best know appellation from Savoie are Crepy and Seyssel.
Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, From North to South, Vienne (Cote Rotie) to Avignon, (Tavel and Chateauneuf-du-Pape) For whites, Marsanne,Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Bourboulene prevail. Roses are produced in Tavel and Lirac. Whites are few, 2% of production from appellations as Condrieu and Chateau-Grillet made from Viognier. There are also full bodied Whites from Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage. There is Saint-Peray made from Marsanne and Rousanne and the white Cotes du Rhone and
Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Provence, Winemaking regions are, Bandol, Bellet, Cassis, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, Cotes du Luberon, Cotes de Provence, Palette. Bandol is it’s most famous wine, made from Mourvedre. Also Bandol Rose and White. Also grown here, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsaut and Grenache.

All Photos: credit Michael Belardo
Mbelardo212@aol.com