Adrien Glover
Picks from New York's finest sommeliers
When Tim Kopec describes his latest love as "lusty with great legs," chances are he's talking about wine. As the sommelier at Veritas, a Michelin-starred restaurant with one of New York City's largest and most diverse cellars, he has encountered many great loves—3,000 labels and 100,000 bottles to be exact.
For many who dedicate their professional lives to wine, the road to sommelier certification often begins serendipitously: a chance encounter with a Sauternes that brought its imbiber to tears; a post-breakup splurge on a bottle with a 90+ rating from Robert Parker; a bungled order from a wine list that changed the course of a life. While it might take some time before a would-be cellar master can start talking like Miles in the movie "Sideways" and tossing around words like meritage, mouthfeel and gunflint with confidence, the love is usually instant...
Picks from New York's finest sommeliers
When Tim Kopec describes his latest love as "lusty with great legs," chances are he's talking about wine. As the sommelier at Veritas, a Michelin-starred restaurant with one of New York City's largest and most diverse cellars, he has encountered many great loves—3,000 labels and 100,000 bottles to be exact.
For many who dedicate their professional lives to wine, the road to sommelier certification often begins serendipitously: a chance encounter with a Sauternes that brought its imbiber to tears; a post-breakup splurge on a bottle with a 90+ rating from Robert Parker; a bungled order from a wine list that changed the course of a life. While it might take some time before a would-be cellar master can start talking like Miles in the movie "Sideways" and tossing around words like meritage, mouthfeel and gunflint with confidence, the love is usually instant...
Adrien Glover
Picks from New York's finest sommeliers
When Tim Kopec describes his latest love as "lusty with great legs," chances are he's talking abo... more
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Created
06/07/08
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1
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave, Mauves
Northern Rhone Valley, France
"Domaine Chave makes amazingly complex wines. Jean-Louis Chave and his family take great pride in the integrity of their wines, and that's what wine-lovers look for—passion." -Tim Kopec, Veritas
www.maisondesvins.be/domaine-jean-louis-chave.php
2
Domaine Georges Roumier, Chambolle-Musigny
Burgundy, France
"In my experience, the real treasures lie in the smallest Burgundian villages, and this 35-acre family estate on the Cote d'Or has been producing beautiful harmonious wines since the 1920s." -Tim Kopec, Veritas
www.roumier.com/index.htm
3
Moet & Chandon, Chateau de Saran, Epernay
Champagne, France
"The area has wonderful, chalky soil which is perfect for growing Dom grapes. We spent a magnificent dinner drinking Dom Perignon. Chateau de Saran is palatial, and you can spend the night. A lot of dignitaries have stayed there." -Roger Dagorn, Chanterelle
www.moet.com
4
Clos Baudoin, Vouvray
Loire Valley, France
"Prince Poniatowski himself was a very gracious host. He gave us all a tour of the vineyard and invited us for dinner at Jean Bardet. My girls spent the evening in a real château drinking more Dom with a real prince, and it didn't matter that he was 70 years old. There's a new winemaker now. But if it's not during harvest and you call ahead, you might just get similar treatment." -Roger Dagorn, Chanterelle
www.vintageandvine.com/clos_baudoin.htm
5
Domaine Carneros
Napa Valley, California
"I love this estate; it's a piece of France thousands of miles away from Champagne. I always go and sit on the terrace—the view is one of the best in California, especially with a glass of bubbly while talking with the winemaker Eileen Crane." -Stephane Colling, The Modern
www.domaine.com
6
Klein Constantia
Cape Peninsula, South Africa
"This must be one of the best places on earth to watch a sunrise. It gives me goosebumps every time I think about it. I love False Bay and walking around in the Constantia Valley. The first time I visited I didn't wanted to come home. Of course, the wines are very special too." -Stephane Colling, The Modern.
www.kleinconstantia.com
7
Araujo Estate Wines, Calistoga
Napa Valley, California
"I love this boutique Napa winery because the owner has dug an amazing tunnel that goes one mile into the mountain. You must call in advance to be escorted in. The wife of the owner is very involved too, and they also make olive oils. In just a few short years, they've made a name for their Syrah and Cabernet. And you have to be on the list for cases, because there aren't many. The owner would only set six aside for me personally." -Eric Ripert, Chef de Cuisine and Consulting Wine Director, Le Bernardin
www.araujoestate.com
8
Brickhouse Vineyards
Willamette Valley, Oregon
"The owner is a pioneer in the U.S. in organic biodynamic wines. He lived for 20 years abroad and now creates great quality organic Pinots and Chardonnays. It's so interesting what he's doing—investing properly, starting small and making good decisions. I'm convinced that organic wine making is the future." -Eric Ripert, Chef de Cuisine and Consulting Wine Director, Le Bernadin
www.brickhousewines.com
9
Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac
Bordeaux, France
"This is a classic and very special winery—so visually stunning. The makers are so savvy and welcoming to visitors. There's even a 100-year-old wine library that's lined with a mold that looks like black velvet." -Eric Ripert, Chef de Cuisine and Consulting Wine Director, Le Bernardin
www.bpdr.com
10
Albert Neumeister
Styria, Austria
"Mr. Neumeister has a small winery in the southeastern town of Styria, a part of Austria known to the natives as the 'volcanic hot spring land.' The many minerals in the soil here give the Sauvignon Blancs a very clean and spicy touch; they're very different from other Sauv Blancs you'll find throughout the world. A local specialty is the Gelber Muskateller (Mucat), a light, very pleasant and well-structured wine that goes especially well with salads. The Sauvignon Blanc 'Moarfeitl' 1999 is still, for me, a great wine. Mr. Neumeister also owns a very nice highly-rated restaurant in Straden. I'd also recommend visitors go to the hot springs Therme Loipersdorf. Personally, I love Styria because it has such a peaceful atmosphere, as well as great wine and food." -Aldo Sohn, Kurt Grunnerbrunner Restaurant Group
www.neumeister.cc
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