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A Wine Tour de France:
Taste and Terroirs

January—June, 2009

Join FIAF for a series of not-to-be-missed wine tasting events. This year’s series will focus specifically on the concept of terroir, known as the unique interaction of earth, climate, and appellation that makes each wine deliciously unique. For six evenings over the course of six months, attendees will taste first-hand how terroir relates to the creation of outstanding wines from France, while sampling delicious cheeses.

Each evening will be led by Raj Vaidya, sommelier at celebrated Cru Restaurant in Greenwich Village, which is renowned for its wine selection and service. With over 100,000 bottles in its vast cellars, Cru’s extensive wine list rivals that of even the great Taillevent in Paris. With the help of importers Frederick Wildman and Sons and PJ Wine, a top-rated Manhattan retailer of fine wines and spirits, Mr. Vaidya is poised to take FIAF members and friends on an unforgettable oenophilic journey!

FIAF is proud to announce that sommelier Raj Vaidya has been appointed Head Sommelier at Daniel. Featuring French cuisine by renowned chef Daniel Boulud, this restaurant, located on the Upper East Side, is one of only five restaurants with the New York Times’s coveted four-star rating. Congratulations to Raj on this new journey!

The June 15, 2009 edition of Wine Spectator has given extremely high scores to two of the wines featured by Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd. at FIAF's May 11 Sud de France tasting. Both Hecht & Bannier 2005 (Côtes du Roussillon Villages) and the Domaine de Nizas 2005 (Carignan Vieilles Vignes) received 91 points. Purchase these excellent wines at pjwine.com.

Burgundy: Côte de Nuits
Monday, January 26, 2009 at 7pm

Unlike Bordeaux, Burgundy is an un-blended wine, made from the grapes of thousands of small-scale growers and composed exclusively from Pinot Noir for the reds and Chardonnay for the whites. These wines produce great differences in taste, color, and longevity, although their grapes often come from adjoining fields. Join Mr. Vaidya as he presents a selection of some of the most esteemed and top-rated Burgundy reds from the Côte de Nuits appellations.

Wine Tasting List
Christian Moreau Père et Fils, Chablis, Grand Cru, Les Clos, 2006
Christian Moreau Père et Fils, Chablis, Grand Cru, Valmur, 2005
Domaine Pierre Damoy, Bourgogne Rouge, 2006
Domaine Alain Burguet, Gevrey-Chambertin, 1er Cru, Les Champeaux, 2006
Domaine Alain Burguet, Chambolle-Musigny, Les Chardannes, 2006
Nicolas Potel, Vosne Romanee, Vieilles Vignes, 2006
Nicolas Potel, Echezeaux, Grand Cru, 2006
To purchase these wines, please visit www.pjwine.com

Burgundy: Côte de Beaune
Monday, February 23, 2009 at 7pm

FIAF continues its exploration of Burgundy with the Côte de Beaune region. Located in the southern part of Côte d’Or, the Côte de Beaune vineyard covers 3,000 hectares, producing some of the most prestigious dry white wines. It continues in the tradition of the great Burgundian reds, with sought-after appellations whose creations are often more perfumed than their Côte de Nuits counter-parts.

White Wines
Domaine Olivier Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet, 2006
Domaine Olivier Leflaive Saint-Aubin Premier Cru En Remilly, 2006
Darviot-Perrin Meursault Premier Cru Perrières, 2005

Red Wines
Nicolas Potel Savigny-Lès-Beaune Premier Cru Hauts Jarrons, 2006
Jacques Prieur Beaune Premier Cru Champs-Pimont, 2006
Château Genot Boulanger Volnay Rouge, 2005

Rhône Valley
Monday, March 9, 2009 at 7pm

Due to the region’s geographic and climatic variance, the Rhône Valley holds an assortment of vineyards that produce noted vintages from a great variety of red and white noble grapes. While the North is dominated by Syrah, the South produces Grenache-dominated wines. During this third tasting, Mr. Vaidya will discuss the extraordinary diversity of the Rhône, emphasizing the importance of terroir and the remarkable range of red and whites produced by the region.

White Wines
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Domaine Mule Blanche, 2005
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2006

Red Wines
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Parallèle 45, 2006
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Les Jalets, 2005
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2006

Sweet Wine
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise, 2007

Bordeaux
Monday, April 6, 2009 at 7pm
SOLD OUT

No doubt Bordeaux is one—if not the—most famous wine region of France. With more than 7,000 châteaux, the region's wines are some of the most sought-after in the world. Mr. Vaidya introduces the refinements and subtleties of Bordeaux's varied terroirs through a careful selection of the most reputed Bordeaux labels. Unlike Burgundy wines, Bordeauxs are blended and the variety of elements from each different noble grape lend a distinctive flavor to each appellation.

Tasting List

Red Wines
Château Fonreaud 2003, Listrac-Médoc
Château du Taillan 2005, Haut-Médoc
Château Haut-Vigneau 2006, Premières-Côtes-de-Blaye
Château La Croix Bonis 2003, Saint-Estèphe
Château La Fleur des Rouzes 2004, Pomerol
Château Durfort-Vivens, "Vivens" 2005, Margaux

White Wines
Château d'Archambeau 2007, Graves
Lieutenant de Sigalas 2004, Sauternes

Perfectly paired cheeses, charcuterie, and breads will accompany the wines.

Learn more about the delicate art of food pairing and sample some of the finest French products found in New York:
- Roves des Garrigues, a light goat’s milk cheese to be enjoyed with the Whites
- Epoisses, a powerful and pungent cheese to match with Red Merlots
- Le Moulis, a firm cow's milk cheese to pair with the strongest Reds from Bordeaux

Sud de France (Languedoc-Roussillon)
Monday, May 11, 2009 at 7pm

The vast Languedoc-Roussillon region, consisting of more than a third of France’s entire vineyard acreage, produces more wine than any other region in France. Throughout the past decades, Languedoc-Roussillon winemakers have made some of the boldest innovations in production practices, experimenting with new varietals and forfeiting their appellation status to achieve the perfect blend. Sommelier Raj Vaidya introduces some of his latest discoveries featuring the area’s main appellations.

This tasting is presented in collaboration with Sud de France, a label that brings together hundreds of appellations, Vin de Pays, and varietals from the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

Red Wines
Domaine de Nizas 2005, Carignan Vieilles Vignes, Vin de Pays de Caux
Hecht & Bannier 2005, Faugères
Hecht & Bannier 2005, Côtes du Roussillon Villages
Laurent Miquel Syrah 2006, Vin de Pays d’Oc

White Wine
Tortoise Creek Viognier 2007, Vin de Pays d’Oc

Rosé Wine
Laurent Miquel Cinsault Syrah Rosé 2007, Vin de Pays d’Oc

Learn more about the delicate art of food pairing and sample some of the finest French products found in New York:
Saint Marcellin - a supple cow's milk cheese from Dauphine in Sud de France
Morbier raw milk - an aromatic and surprisingly mild cow's milk AOC cheese
Pont l'Evêque - a prime example of the very high quality of French washed-rind cheeses

Champagne
Monday, June 8, 2009 at 7pm

Join FIAF for its most popular wine tasting event—the eternally effervescent Champagne. Learn about the world’s finest sparkling wine and the brands of which bear the exclusive distinction of the Champagne title, such as the renowned Pol Roger label. This session will present the variety of the region, giving participants the chance to sample a selection of non-vintage, vintage, rosé, and prestige cuvée Champagnes.

Champagne List (as of May 27, 2009)
Pol Roger Brut Réserve, White Foil
Pol Roger Pure
Pol Roger Rich
Pol Roger Brut Vintage 1999
Pol Roger Rosé Vintage 2000
Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs Vintage 1999

Perfectly paired cheeses, charcuterie, and breads will accompany the wines.

Learn more about the delicate art of food pairing and sample some of the finest French products found in New York:
- Livarot, a cow-cheese from Normandie distinguished by its strong, aromatic pungency
- Chaource, a soft cow-cheese that has hints of mushrooms with a creamy and smooth finish
- Comté, a firm cow-cheese – one of the most popular cheeses in France

In English

Must be 21 or over

Full Series
FIAF Members $500
Non-Members $600*
*Incl. 1-year Membership

Single Tasting
FIAF Members $95
Non-Members $115

Any Three Tastings
FIAF Members $250
Non-Members $300

Venue
Le Skyroom
22 East 60th Street

A Wine Tour de France is presented in partnership with Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd., importer of fine wines and spirits since 1934, which has donated the fine French wines to be enjoyed responsibly,
and PJ Wine, a leading fine wine and spirits merchant, the exclusive retail partner for A Wine Tour de France

The 2008-2009 Art de Vivre series is presented by Nespresso. Additional food and beverages provided by Artisanal Premium Cheese, Bridor, D’Artagnan, the French Cheese Club, and Sopexa.

FIAF Winter 2009 Season Sponsors: American Airlines, the official airline of FIAF; Cultural Services of the French Embassy; Florence Gould Foundation; Herbert J. Seligmann Charitable Trust

Photo: FIAF Wine Tasting /© Amanda Gentile