As a thought experiment, could one simply offer the image above and a list of wines and say no more? Is there really any additional detail needed beyond what that kind of portrait and beauty conveys? The phrase, “A picture paints a thousand words” is most incredibly apt when it comes to the region and wines of Gigondas. But detail we shall provide as this is a region (and a remarkable producer) which deserves your attention.

Butting up against the Dentelles de Montmirail, the vineyards of Gigondas are blessed with a collection of diverse limestone and clay soils, sunkissed vines, and remarkable wines. In contrast to their more famous cousin of Châteauneuf du Pape, these reds are darker in tone with more intense structure and slightly rustic edges.

 

The picturesque hills of Beaujolais

Temperatures are descending from the peak heights of late summer and settling into the refreshing embraces of early autumn. Likewise, our thirsts are evolving from the crisp mineral whites and roses needing to cool us in the heat into lighter reds that bring fruit and comfort. There is no better companion for this transition than the wines of Beaujolais and its magnificently diverse crus. Earlier this week we featured bottlings from Fleurie, the first haven of evolution for palates seeking reds of finesse, lightness, and delicate fruits. Today we will present to you the next step in your palate’s seasonal journey: the wines of Morgon.

Morgon the Cru
Morgon is one of the largest of the 10 crus that make up the broader appellation of Beaujolais.

 

The Village of La Morra

We’re continuing our feature of Barolo communes this weekend with a focus on the more Western crus of the broader appellation!

Barolo fans are in paradise at the moment. All signs point to the outstanding excellence of the vintage trio of 2019, 2020, and 2021. The wines aren’t just good, they’re absolutely incredible and on par with some of the greatest vintages of the last 50 years. This is one example of how climate change is benefitting certain regions around the globe, and hey, although we’re not long-term fans of global warming, we are fans of world class nebbiolo in our glasses.

The 2019 vintage is beginning to hit store shelves and Vinopolis is here to supply your cellar with these ageworthy selections.

 

The Village of Serralunga d’Alba

Barolo fans are in paradise at the moment. All signs point to the outstanding excellence of the vintage trio of 2019, 2020, and 2021. The wines aren’t just good, they’re absolutely incredible and on par with some of the greatest vintages of the last 50 years. This is one example of how climate change is benefitting certain regions around the globe, and hey, although we’re not long-term fans of global warming, we are fans of world class nebbiolo in our glasses.

The 2019 vintage is beginning to hit store shelves and Vinopolis is here to supply your cellar with these ageworthy selections. Simultaneously, we thought it would be more than prudent to take a moment to celebrate all that is Barolo through a special feature on the major communes that make up the broader appellation.

    

“What’s in a name?” Shakespeare asks in his most famous work of Romeo & Juliet. The idea being that it isn’t so much the way we identify something that distinguishes it, but rather its quality. The same can be said for wine! Although…..certain names and consistent excellence do have a remarkable way of repeating themselves throughout the classic regions of wine. Whether it’s the Reverdys of Sancerre, the Prüms of the Mosel, or the Conternos of Barolo, it’s not uncommon to find a pattern of brilliance across the disparate families that make up a region, coincidental examples included.

The Künstler name is one such coincidental example; as we at Vinopolis have long adored both the wines of Weiser-Künstler and Weingut Künstler for their beautiful expressions of riesling from two different regions.