My Latest in Wine Business Monthly:
IPNC 2019: Burgundy and Bubbles Blend Brilliantly
by L.M. Archer
McMinnville, Ore. – Burgundy and bubbles blended brilliantly in Oregon Wine Country at the International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC) 2019. From July 26-28, nearly 830 pinot noir lovers gathered for a three-day immersive food and wine experience on the grounds of Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon to taste over 250 wines from 78 wineries in Austria, Alsace, Burgundy, California, Canada, Champagne, Chile, Germany, New Zealand, Oregon, and South Africa.
This year’s theme centered around the Côte Châlonnaise in Burgundy. Master of Ceremonies Steven Spurrier, Decanter’s consultant editor, and organizer of the historic 1976 Judgement of Paris blind tasting, moderated the Grand Seminar entitled “Châlonnaise – the 3rd Côte.” Panelist included Amaury Devillard of Château de Chamirey, Thibault Gagey of Maison Louis Jadot, and Anne-Laure Hernette of Antonin Rodet. The panel shared their impressions of wines from the villages of Bouzeron, Rully, Mercurey and Givry, dispelling any myth of Burgundy as home to only super-expensive Grand Crus. Instead, Spurrier deftly guided the group through an inspired flight of fresh, easy-drinking wines of great value and pleasure.
“My father and Jacques Lardière have participated in the IPNC several times in the last 30 years,” says Thibault Gagey, also of Résonance Oregon. “It was a great honor for me to be part of it this year, especially at the Grand Seminar. This year’s Grand Seminar, focusing on the Côte Châlonnaise, was especially great having Steven Spurrier as a moderator, as he is such a charming and respected man. In addition to that, I believe many people who were not aware of the Côte Châlonnaise before, discovered a wonderful place with pleasurable wines that offer outstanding quality.”
“Steven Spurrier’s presence has been a real gift,” concurs Amy Wesselman, executive director of IPNC for the past twenty years, and co-founder of Westrey Wine Company. “It’s just been wonderful to have him on campus, and his presence. He brings such a depth of knowledge, and such a warmth to the room – it’s just really special.” READ MORE HERE.
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