As I have said in other posts the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) sure knows how to host an event and the opening night of the 2011 annual wine series was no exception. As I stepped into the glistening "Le Sky Room", on the 8th floor of the FIAF building at 22 East 66th Street in New York City, I thought for sure I had arrived in heaven.
I knew this event series entitled: A Wine Tour de France Led by New York’s Best Sommeliers was not to be missed. The first installment, Burgundy Wines with Kristie Petrullo, far exceeded my expectations.
The interesting thing is that it isn't just the arts and culture of France that you experience at Alliance Francaise, which is the name I like to use, but also how French values and lifestyle truly enrich all our lives here in America and throughout the World.
Take our two presenters. Kristie Petrullo, all American girl, sounds Italian, traveled a path that started with serving wine while bartending in South Beach, then on to working the cellars of Copain Wines in California and on from there. And Waldemar Albrecht Fromager, born in Venezuela, traveled to Spain then San Francisco then to New York City. Two roads that started far from France yet both these people found an answer to their heart and soul's callings in French food and wine and the life and culture that surrounds and creates them.
Kristie's path continued through many of the finest US restaurant cellars and eventually to spending many months living and working in Burgundy where she came to know this wine and its history so well. She now enjoys the distinction of being the only woman in New York City who serves as sommelier for a Three Star restaurant,Jean-Georges.
Kristie shared her marvelous adventures with amusing anecdotes and explained Burgundy with many little known facts like how the Napoleonic Code directives on inheritance shaped the Burgundy region or why shielding from the elements produces the Grand Crus. She walked us through the subtlies of the Burgundy (Bourgogne) wine regions and AOCs and personified the true meaning of terroir. I have attended many events and tastings featuring Burgundy wines. But never has their story been so well told. It is a complex region and I really get it now.
Ms. Petrullo's unassuming candor and love of engaging and receiving her audience made these often intimidating wines completely approachable. Her presence and presentation was as divine as the wines we enjoyed.
"Burgundy for me is what wine is about. It can be soft and elegant or rich and robust, but either way it leaves you in awe and if you’re lucky sends a shiver down your spine."
—Kristie Petrullo
Together we tasted 6 beautiful wines at moderate to expensive price levels.
Blanc
Alex Gambal, Meursault “Clos du Cromin” 2007
Alex Gambal, Saint-Aubin “Les Murgers des Dents de Chien” 2007, Premier Cru
Maison Clavelier, Chablis 2007
Rouge
Maison Clavelier, Fixin 2006
Maison Fatien, Gevrey-Chambertin Bel-Air 2006
Manuel Olivier, Nuits-Saint-Georges 2006, Premier Cru
My favorites were the Maison Clavelier, Fixin 2006 and the Saint-Aubin “Les Murgers des Dents de Chien" 2007. Most are available from AOC Wines.
With the wines we delighted in delicious cheese and charcuterie explained and demystified by the illustrious Fromager Waldemar Albrecht of Artisanal Cheese. Like the wine and cheese he and Kristie paired quite well. They explored cheese and wine pairings which inspired lively audience participation.
And so I encourage you to attend one of the comming wine events, click here, I am thrilled by the diversity and cultural roots of the upcoming presenters. They include:
Raj Vaidya, Head Sommelier at Daniel
Michael Madrigale, Chef Sommelier at Bar Boulud
Belinda Chang, Wine Director at The Modern
Levi Dalton, Sommelier at Alto
Ryan Mills-Knapp, Sommelier at Tribeca Grill
Clear Here to Purchase Tickets
French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF)
22 East 60th Street [map]
Between Park and Madison avenues
New York, NY 10022
Tel. 212 355 6100
Things to do, places to see, with food and booze
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