THEME COUNTRY FRANCE
MICHEL CHAPOUTIER,
Winemaker, M. Chapoutier Known as a risk- taker, Michel Chapoutier brings a passionate new approach to winemaking, focusing his efforts to shine a spotlight on terroir. The Chapoutier family has worked in the Rhône Valley since 1808, evolving the business from growing grapes to making their own wine. Michel now owns the largest vineyard on the hill of Hermitage and also makes wines in the Languedoc- Roussillon region, Alsace and Portugal.
Meet Michel Chapoutier in:
• Rhône Perfection: M. Chapoutier, wine seminar, VCC, February 27, 5 p. m.
• Meet Your Match, wine seminar, VCC,
March 1, 5 p. m.
• Insatiable Rhône, winery dinner, Hawksworth Restaurant, March 2, 6: 30 p. m. ( with chef David Hawksworth)
ETIENNE HUGEL,
Proprietor, Hugel et Fils Etienne represents the 12th generation of his family to run the legendary Hugel et Fils estate in Alsace. Hans Ulrich Hugel founded the winery in 1639, and his descendants now proudly produce high- quality white wines and Pinot Noir on the Riquewihr estate. Etienne believes that the power of wine reaches beyond just sipping and spitting, smelling and savouring; he feels strongly that wines create memories and friendships, and are an opportunity to bridge cultures and languages.
Meet Etienne Hugel in:
• Iconic French Wines, wine seminar, VCC, February 28, 5 p. m.
• France: Find Your Style, wine seminar,
VCC, March 1, 5 p. m.
THOMAS PERRIN,
Owner, Famille Perrin The Perrin family has worked their land in the southern Rhône for six generations, and the family members collaborate to oversee all aspects of wine production. The grapes are grown without chemicals, and weeding is done naturally— by hand or plough. The result is a low but organic yield of fruit that, through these natural methods of survival, produces wines that epitomize the meaning of terroir.
Meet Thomas Perrin in:
• Salut Château Beaucastel, winery dinner, Bistro Pastis, February 26, 6: 30 p. m., ( with proprietor John Blakeley) • Iconic French Wines, wine seminar,
VCC, February 28, 5 p. m • Meet Your Match, wine seminar,
VCC, March 1, 5 p. m.
SIGFRIED PIC, International Export Director, Maison Louis Jadot Maison Louis Jadot is internationally famous as one of the finest Burgundy houses in the world. Using little intervention in the winemaking process, the estate produces fine wines with grapes from Burgundy and the Côte d’Or. Export manager Sigfried Pic explains how the winery highlights terroir while retaining quality and consistency in each and every bottle.
Meet Sigfried Pic in:
• Nothing But Burgundy, winery dinner, Le Crocodile, February 26, 6: 30 p. m. ( with chef Michel Jacob) • Wine 305 Advanced Burgundy,
wine seminar, VCC, February 27, 5 p. m. • Iconic French Wines, wine seminar,
VCC, February 28, 5 p. m. • France: Find Your Style, wine seminar,
VCC, March 1, 5 p. m.
CHRISTIAN SEELY, Managing Director, AXA Millésimes; President, Compagnie Médocaine Christian has proven himself to have the Midas touch with vineyards, seeking out estates with unfulfilled potential and turning them into high- performing properties. Christian is passionate about his work, and is constantly on the prowl for undervalued vineyards to welcome into the family. As a result of Christian’s efforts, the AXA Millésimes portfolio now includes estates around the world.
Meet Christian Seely in: • Renaissance of a Top Château, wine seminar, Terminal City Club, February 28, 5: 15 p. m.
CLOVIS TAITTINGER, Export Manager/ Family Member, Champagne Taittinger Representing the Taittinger family at VanWineFest, export manager Clovis Taittanger focuses on suppliers and maintaining business relationships worldwide. The estate, which encompasses over 750 acres, has produced champagne for generations. The signature Taittinger style is known the world over for using a higher proportion of Chardonnay than other Champagne houses.
Meet Clovis Taittinger in: • L’Instant Taittinger, winery dinner, West, February 26, 6: 30 p. m. ( with chef Quang Dang) • All About Bubbly!, wine seminar,
VCC, February 27, 5 p. m. • Iconic French Wines, wine seminar,
VCC, February 28, 5 p. m.
PHILIPPE ZINCK, Winemaker/ Proprietor, Domaine Zinck Vins d’Alsace Striking a subtle balance between traditional small- scale methods and new wine- growing and making techniques, Philippe Zinck has brought international recognition to his family’s Zinck winery. Exported to over 20 countries, Philippe’s award- winning wines include all the Alsatian varietals, including Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer, as well as a selection of Grand Crus and Crémant wines.
Meet Philippe Zinck in: • France Bubbly Party, wine mingler,
Ginger 62, February 26, 9 p. m.