A Little Green Leaf with a Whole Lot of Impact The presence of organic and biodynamic certifications on a wine label has become a powerful selling point in today’s market, but have you noticed there are less and less of them? Well, there is a reason for that. Consumers are increasingly drawn to wines that promise fewer chemicals, greater environmental […]
The Not-So-Quiet Revolution of Women in Winemaking For centuries, winemaking has been a domain predominantly governed by men, a tradition that traces its origins to ancient civilizations. The earliest known vintners, residing in the regions of Gadachrili Gora and nearby settlements, began producing wine on a substantial scale as far back as 6,000 B.C. during an era when stone […]
We are excited to announce our new partnership with Reynvaan Family Vineyards (pronounced “RHINE-van”), marking a major milestone as our first-ever domestic producer. The Reynvaans established their estate in 2004 and, with a focus on Syrah and other Rhone varieties, their alignment with European Cellars’ Rhone heritage forms one of the two main pillars at the core of our shared […]
Eric Solomon is pleased to announce the merger of European Cellars with Third Leaf Wines. This merger will result in a combined and diverse portfolio with a global reach, allowing Third Leaf Wines to focus on the core principles Eric Solomon established – unique and distinctive wines to a broad audience of consumers, retailers, and restauranteurs.
A BIT OF HISTORY In 1194, the Carthusian priory of Cartoixa d’Escaladei was founded at the foot of the Montsant mountains in the recently reconquered part of southern Catalunya. This remote area had been largely depopulated after centuries of warfare between the Kingdom of Aragon and the Moors. Yet despite its desolation, this was an ideal spot for the Carthusians […]
For centuries, Pinot and Grenache grapes have been the subject of winemaking debate and enjoyment. But what exactly sets these two popular varieties apart from each other, and which variety can we trust to deliver as the world around us changes at a rapid pace? From taste to appearance to consistency, join us as we delve into the distinct differences […]
Despite being a region noted for its diversity of permitted varieties, in reality, the performance of Grenache largely defines the reputation of a Châteauneuf-du-Pape vintage. For this reason, you will find vintage reports devote much attention to discussing the flowering of Grenache, the subsequent fruit set, the yields, and its harvest date. This is great for those who seek the […]
Grenache in check! 2020 was an exceptionally strange vintage for Grenache. While there is far more to Châteauneuf-du-Pape than Grenache, to a large extent, how it performs in any given vintage is essentially how a vintage is judged. The most notable critics of the Southern Rhône in the United States are generally inclined to heap praise on ripe vintages with […]
No longer to be dismissed as a ‘fad’, veganism is an indication of a new way of thinking around the integrity of the food and drink we consume. Wine is no exception. In addition to vegan wine, organic and biodynamic classifications of growing have become more prominent as consumers shift away from products that include pesticides. But how can a […]
Q: How was this vintage for you? We’ve heard a lot from producers in Loire Valley and Benoît Droin in Chablis, so we know it was terrible up north. But, I think many people don’t realize that terrible Spring frosts also struck the Rhône. Fred Chaudière: At Château Pesquié, we’re off 40%. It is a tiny crop, which, which was […]