Small Bites

Zesty citrus!

Villars-sur-Var Clos Saint Joseph 2005 ($40): This blanc de blancs is made from a blend of Ugni-Blanc, Clairette, Semillion and Rolle. Crisp and clean style offering citrus fruits of grapefruit, lime and lemon zest accompanied by mineral components and balanced acidity. It is a tiny vineyard that has been cultivated for more than 60 years and produces from all old vines. A local village wine that is a favorite and carried in the finest restaurants and bistros in France, it is produced in limited quantities and available now for the first time ever in the U.S.

Michael Grossberg of The Grape Exchange in New Rochelle will be providing the wines for our wine festival this year, and to get everybody excited, he’s written descriptions of many of the more than 200 wines you can taste there.

I’ll post one a day here on Small Bites. Do let me know if you’ve had it before, and what you think!

I’ll be at The Greater New York Wine & Food Festival May 15-17 at the Doubletree Hotel Tarrytown. There’s a Chefs Uncorked! Big Talent-Small Bites kick off party on Friday, two grand tastings, cooking demos and wine seminars Saturday and a casino night Saturday night. Sunday brunch is for VIP guests. Tickets for most events are $75-$100. Visit lohud.com/wine for more information.