In this episode of IntoWineTV, host Lisa Kolenda and wine experts Bartholomew Broadbent and Loren Sonkin convene among the vines at Crushpad in Napa Valley to taste and discuss the cult wine brands of Crushpad.
Theme: Cult Wines of Crushpad
Wine: 2005 Affaire de Coeur Amber Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, $45 Buy this wine
Vineyard: Amber Ridge Vineyard
Region: Russian River Valley
Alcohol %: 14.2%
Varietals: Pinot Noir
Read the IntoWine interview with Chris Wadden of Affaire de Coeur
Background: When Affaire de Coeur Founders Susan Booth and Chris Wadden first met, while feasting on gourmet cuisine accompanied by fine wine, they discovered a shared passion for life, adventure and epicurean delights. It seems inevitable, then that they would be inspired by the thought of a wine that could enhance the enjoyment of any meal.
Susan and Chris, have achieved success in their individual professional careers – Chris as a consumer products executive, trained chef and noted wine educator – Susan as a real estate partner in a national law firm -- but wanted to embark on a venture together. Since they spent much of their time studying the interplay between food and wine (i.e., eating and drinking), they decided to make a wine that would transform a simple meal into gastronomic revelry. Affaire de Coeur Pinot Noir (2005) is the culmination of their mission.
Affaire de Coeur Pinot Noir (2005) is comprised entirely of grapes from the Amber Ridge Vineyard in Sonoma’s Russian River AVA. Susan and Chris believed that by using "new world" fruit to make wine with Burgundian techniques, they could create a fruit-forward, elegant wine that would pair beautifully with a wide variety of foods. The name Affaire de Coeur embodies the love affair between the wine and food as well as the love that Susan and Chris have for life and for each other.
Since neither Susan nor Chris was an expert in winemaking, they partnered with the professionals at Crushpad to assist in producing this limited edition wine. Each of the 300 bottles of Affaire de Coeur Pinot Noir (2005) was painstakingly crafted in the traditional methods using state of the art equipment to ensure a delicious experience. Susan and Chris invite you take a sip and “let the love affair begin . . ."
Experts:
Bartholomew Broadbent, CEO of Broadbent Selections. Bartholomew was named as one of the "fifty most influential people in the wine world" by Decanter Magazine. He is also widely considered to be one of the world's foremost authorities on Port and Madeira. Learn more about Bartholomew Broadbent.
Loren Sonkin is an IntoWine.com Featured Contributor and the Founder/Winemaker at Sonkin Cellars.
What is Crushpad?
Crushpad is a facility that enables anyone with a serious interest in wine to participate in the magic of winemaking. With their team of wine industry veterans, modern winemaking technology, and access to some of the best grapes and vineyards around, Crushpad empowers their clients to make the type and style of wine they desire. Crushpad clients are as involved or uninvolved as they wish. Some take a "hands on" approach to every step of the process while others let the Crushpad professionals take care of the time consuming parts. In short, Crushpad is a pathway into the art, science, and business of winemaking for passionate wine lovers who don't own a vineyard or winery. Interested in learning more? Stop by the Crushpad tasting room in Napa Valley or visit Crushpad.com.
