Domaine des Baumard and the Chenin Blanc of Savennières

Posted by Nicholas Livingston on May 25, 2024 in France, | no comments

DOMAINE DES BAUMARD Domaine des Baumard’s masterful wines span a range that is highly unusual in France. More specifically, Baumard is recognized for producing some of the most extraordinary dry white wines in the Loire and in France, namely endlessly nuanced Chenin Blanc from Savennieres. And Baumard is the single most
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Saint Thibault 2020

Posted by Nicholas Livingston on July 7, 2020 in Events, France, Saint Thibault, Tastings | no comments

We’ve been thinking… and we think our friends in the trade, our customers, ought to save-the-date for La Fête de Saint Thibault. It’ll be at a distance and involve a little curbside pickup but it is certain to keep the spirit alive and the spirits high. More details to follow
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2016 Vintage in Burgundy | Replete with Wil Bailey’s Highlights

Posted by Nicholas Livingston on March 26, 2018 in Burgundy, France, Vintage review | no comments

"An unusual and astonishing vintage...a lovely surprise" Each year The Wine Company is proud to host a vintage tasting for the members of the trade working with Bouchard Père et Fils and William Fèvre. On this occasion many of the best and brightest behind Minnesota's finest bottle shops and restaurant wine lists taste
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Picpoul-de-Pinet calls for coquillage et crustacé

Posted by Nicholas Livingston on August 30, 2016 in France, New Wines | no comments

Good Picpoul-de-Pinet is hard to find. Simple, cheap and cheerful is easy but many are too raspy, neutral, or struggle to find their balance on this stony ground of the Languedoc. Picpoul-de-Pinet ought to be bright and buoyant, invigorating and refreshing with enough texture, fruit and floral fragrance to charm the table and
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Do you know Jurançon?

Posted by Jason Kallsen on August 10, 2015 in France, | no comments

Here at The Wine Company we are always on the lookout for the wonderfully odd, be it a region or grapes. Why? Because it makes for fun conversations, a way to connect with the intrinsically curious, and most of all to support the smaller winemakers of these obscure but historically important
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Three great wines for grilled fare

Posted by Jason Kallsen on August 5, 2015 in Beaujolais, Finding wines, Food and wine pairing, France, Rhone Valley, Saint Thibault | no comments

We love our grilled food at The Wine Company, especially during a nice summer evening on our company patio playing a little bocce ball and listening to great music. What to drink with grilled food is a topic that comes up every summer, and this year we have three great
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In Support of Pinot Meunier (and welcome Moussé Fils to Minnesota!)

Posted by Jason Kallsen on December 19, 2014 in Champagne, France, Sparkling wine | one comment

It's never fun to be the third wheel. To sit at a dinner table and be the one that feels like you don't know as much as the vivacious and outgoing people surrounding you. To be the one picked last to join the kickball team. To be the one that answers
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Three top picks from Saint Thibault 2014

Posted by Jason Kallsen on July 17, 2014 in France, Saint Thibault | no comments

Our annual Saint Thibault feast and celebration is always a great opportunity to taste through a slice of our French portfolio. It allows the staff to asses new arrivals, obviously gives our customers a great opportunity find new wines to bring to you, and allows our portfolio director Wil Bailey
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Grower Champagne producer profiles

Posted by Jason Kallsen on December 19, 2013 in Champagne, France, Sparkling wine | one comment

Many of you have asked for a cheat sheet of sorts regarding our list of Grower-Producer Champagnes. We are firm believers that the more you know about where your wine comes from, the more you'll enjoy it. (In that light be sure to also check out our posts on Sparkling
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Understanding Cru Beaujolais (and why it’s perfect for Thanksgiving)

Posted by Jason Kallsen on November 14, 2013 in Beaujolais, Food and wine pairing, France, Holidays, | no comments

Thanksgiving can be such a difficult holiday, and we're not talking just about family members with opposing political and religious views being forced around a table together. We're talking about a bigger conflict: food and wine. We're talking about having a huge variety of deliciousness on the table, including the obscure
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