As Jeb Dunnuck states in his Rhone Report in the October 2016 issue of The Wine Advocate, it's a good time to be a Rhone lover! Click here for the ratings on Kysela's Southern Rhone Valley wines.
As Jeb Dunnuck states in his Rhone Report in the October 2016 issue of The Wine Advocate, it's a good time to be a Rhone lover! Click here for the ratings on Kysela's Southern Rhone Valley wines.
Rosé wine has experienced double digit growth in the US (who is second in the world for rosé consumption, after France) for the past 10 years, according to research from Nielsen. Sales in the US of imported rosé over $12, as a category, grew by 56.4% volume and 60.4% in value! Certain areas, such as Provence, are experiencing even more tremendous growth. Wines of Provence recently announced that exports of rose wine from Provence to the United States grew by double digits for the 12th consecutive year, experiencing a 58% increase in sales volume & even more impressive 74% increase in value:
“Figures like these confirm beyond a doubt that America has fallen in love with rosé,” says Eric Dufavet, Director of Wines of Provence. "We are proud that consumers worldwide have discovered the wines we have been creating here for 26 centuries. Rosé is deeply embedded in our culture and lifestyle; it is a pleasure to share this aspect of our heritage with the world.”
People are recognizing rosé for its quality, and they are drinking it year round. Kysela is pleased to offer a wide variety of highly rated, top notch dry rosés from around the world - view our full list here.
Fran Kysela MS, along with Teresa Nixon & Lisa Saumaize, recently represented Kysela Pere et Fils, LTD. at Puerto Rico's Culinary Extravaganza, Saborea. It takes place on Puerto Rico's famous Escambrón Beach and showcases food, wine & traditions from the Caribbean & around the world.
Kysela works with several wineries who use organic, biodynamic or sustainable agricultural practices. You can find a list of those wineries here, or you can check individual wine listings to see their farming practices (and other notable growing and winemaking methods & techniques).
Wine Spectator's "Dr. Vinny" explains the difference between these three methods:
The U.S. government regulates use of the term "organic," but "sustainable" and "biodynamic" have no legal definitions. So I'll start with organic: there are two types of organic listings on wine bottles. Wines can be made from certified organically grown grapes, avoiding any synthetic additives, or, to take it a step further, "organic" wines are made from organically grown grapes, and are also made without any added sulfites (though naturally occurring sulfites will still be present).
Biodynamic is similar to organic farming in that both take place without chemicals, but biodynamic farming incorporates ideas about a vineyard as an ecosystem, and also accounting for things such as astrological influences and lunar cycles. A biodynamic wine means that the grapes are farmed biodynamically, and that the winemaker did not make the wine with any common manipulations such as yeast additions or acidity adjustments. A wine "made from biodynamic grapes" means that a vintner used biodynamically grown grapes, but followed a less strict list of rules in winemaking.
Sustainability refers to a range of practices that are not only ecologically sound, but also economically viable and socially responsible. (Sustainable farmers may farm largely organically or biodynamically but have flexibility to choose what works best for their individual property; they may also focus on energy and water conservation, use of renewable resources and other issues.) Some third-party agencies offer sustainability certifications, and many regional industry associations are working on developing clearer standards.
If you'd like to know if a wine falls into any of these categories, check out the label. Here you'll find a lot of clues—various trademarked symbols and logos are used, and if a winery is going to adhere to these practices, they're likely to want you to know about it. You can also check out a winery's website, which usually goes into details about how a wine was grown and made.
Fran Kysela MS led a group of clients & staff members on a Tour de France in January, where they visited 37 wineries and tasted over 500 wines. Read the trip recap here!
Kysela's suppliers can click here to see Kysela's business model, expectations, and general company information.
Happy New Year!
We are preparing for a busy and exciting 2016 here at Kysela. Our annual Mondovino trade tastings are coming up next month, and we are going all out. A team just returned from France, where they previewed a phenomenal new vintage & discovered some great additions for our portfolio. Our wines and wineries are earning 90+ point ratings from top publications & winning international championships. The new year is off to a great start, and plan to keep this momentum going all year long.
So, do any of your resolutions involve wine? Are you planning to drink BETTER wine this year? Try varietals and regions that you've never heard of? Maybe you're going to drink a new craft beer everyday? Here's a list of some products we think you should try....you know, when you get back from the gym.
Albada Blanco Macabeo - from a 70 year old vineyard site. Cold fermented, which yields a peachy, Roussanne-like character. Fragrant, refreshing and clean.
Albada Garnacha - a field blend of Old Vine Garnacha (40-80 year old vines) with flavor components of black pepper, Rhone Valley spice, perfume and fruit. The Garnacha is reminiscent of Chateauneuf du Pape!
*These Albada wines are our top values right now!
Kloof Street Chenin Blanc - made by Mullineux Winery, Platter's 2016 Winery of the Year! A blend from three parcels of old vines, this lush, lemony value is seriously dense and complex.
Dogfather Imperial Stout - the brew you can't refuse! Brewed with seven malts and four hops, and aged for 3-4 months in Heaven Hills Bourbon Barrels. Rich & chocolatey with subtle hop bitterness.
Leyenda Cream Sherry - perfect for staying warm. Dark mahogany color; dry fruits & hint of raisin on the nose; smooth and well rounded. This Cream sherry is a blend of Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez.
Burgo Viejo Rioja Crianza - classic old style Rioja. Red berry, juicy cherry, vanilla flavors. Structured and complex.