Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/723381
22 / the tasting panel / september 2016 Welcome to "The Ransom Note," a monthly column by The Tasting Panel's East Coast Editor, David Ransom. Each month, David connects readers with some of the people, products and events that are making news along the Eastern Seaboard. by David Ransom L et's face it, buying wine is a pretty label-dense experience these days, with a new country or region throwing its hat in the ring at any given moment to try to sway your credit card (and in my case, my pen) in their direction. So what of the classic winemaking regions who've always been there for us, like France's Bordeaux and Burgundy (now officially known as Bourgogne) and Spain's Rioja? Recently, at a trio of events in New York and Washington, D.C., I got the chance to meet and chat with a group of new generation winemakers who are changing the public perception of these three great regions—and driving them forward into the future. First, Cave de Lugny's Grégoire Pissot hosted an intimate luncheon at New York restaurant Artisanal, where classic French bistro fare was the perfect accompaniment to his deftly crafted Mâconnais wines. The Mâconnais, in southern Bourgogne, has long been known for produc- ing affordable un-oaked Chardonnay. Cave de Lugny's winemaker since 2005, Pissot has modernized its focus and is making wines that show the true potential of this oft-overlooked area of France's greatest white wine region and its signature style. Wines tasted included La Côte Blanche Mâcon Villages ($14.99), Les Charmes Mâcon-Lugny ($17.99) and Coeur de Charmes Mâcon- Lugny ($29.99), from a three-acre vineyard considered the best in the region. Next, I was in Washington D.C. for an event hosted by Spain's Basque Country, home to the winemaking region of Rioja. The seminar, led by speaker Paul Wagner, focused on Tempranillo from Rioja Alavesa, a sub-region long thought to make Rioja's best red wines. Speakers included Jose Luis Muguiro of Marqués de Riscal, Rioja's oldest winery. Discussed was the history of Rioja, and also its view towards the future as it now competes with over 70 other classified winemaking regions within Spain. Wines tasted included Baigorri, CVNE, Marqués de Riscal, Phincalali, Remelluri and Remírez de Ganuza. Suggested retail prices ranged from $15 to $100 per bottle. Lastly, at NYC's Aureole, four of Bordeaux's "young guns" hosted a tasting and luncheon that focused on Bordeaux Superieur, the everyday wines of the world's most famous wine region, making up over 90% of its production. "These wines are the future of Bordeaux," said Sylvie Courselle of Château Thieuley, who hosted the event with Rachel Hubert of Château Peybonhomme-Les- Tours, Adrien-David Beaulieu of Château Coutet and Alexander Sichel of Maison Sichel. A new generation is showing that you don't have to stray from what you know to find affordable value. Re-envisioning the Classics three great regions—and driving them forward into the future. hosted an intimate luncheon at New York restaurant Artisanal, where classic French bistro fare was the perfect accompaniment to his deftly crafted Mâconnais wines. The Mâconnais, in southern Bourgogne, has long been known for produc- ing affordable un-oaked Chardonnay. Cave de Lugny's winemaker since 2005, Pissot has modernized its focus and is making wines that show the true potential of this oft-overlooked area of France's greatest Wines tasted included La Côte Blanche Mâcon Villages ($14.99), Les Charmes Mâcon-Lugny Grégoire Pissot of Cave de Lugny. PHOTO COURTESY BASQUE COUNTRY PHOTO COURTESY TEUWEN COMMUNICATIONS The Basque Country wine event with (left to right) Jose Luis Muguiro, Marqués de Riscal; Arantza Tapia, Regional Minister for Economic Development and Competitiveness; Ramiro González, General Deputy of Álava; and speaker Paul Wagner. Bordeaux next generation winemakers (left to right): Adrien-David Beaulieu of Château Coutet, Rachel Hubert of Château Peybonhomme-Les-Tours, Sylvie Courselle of Château Thieuley and Alexander Sichel of Maison Sichel at Aureole in New York City.