Come Grass with Andy Chabot

This truly is one of the best times of year. I think about it all winter long and even trick myself into thinking the grass has started growing again before it’s actually happened. The energy that can be felt is exhilarating and we start to see that energy on our plates in the restaurant. Root vegetables give way to young greens. Braised meat gives way to Grilled. Syrah gives way to Pinot Noir. There’s simply a freshness to everything and it seems that everyone is wanting fresher wines. While winters are filled with the spicier and darker Syrah, this is the time of year when Pinot Noir reigns supreme for red grapes. Of particular interest are the new releases of Burgundy wines that show up in the United States as Spring approaches. This year, the 2010 vintage is hitting the market.While it is a good idea to purchase the great Grand Crus of Burgundy and put them in your cellar this year (the 2010’s that I’ve tasted have been phenomenal), it’s also prudent to get some of the village level wines that are just wonderful to drink when fresh and young.

Look to the appellation of Marsannay for wines that are fresh, vibrant and generally budget friendly. Cyril Audoin makes some incredible Pinot Noirs in this appellation as does Bruno Claire. Another appellation to watch out for is Beaune. Domaine St. Marc and Albert Morot are two great producers putting forward vibrant and powerfully fresh Pinot Noirs from this town. Additionally, it is useful to pay attention to the more general areas such as Hautes Cotes de Nuits which is an appellation for Pinot Noirs from Burgundy from which you can find wonderfully fruit forward and budget friendly wines that are as fresh and exciting as the time of year itself.

Andy Chabot, Food and Beverage Director

This truly is one of the best times of year. I think about it all winter long and even trick myself into thinking the grass has started growing again before it’s actually happened. The energy that can be felt is exhilarating and we start to see that energy on our plates in the restaurant. Root vegetables give way to young greens. Braised meat gives way to Grilled. Syrah gives way to Pinot Noir. There’s simply a freshness to everything and it seems that everyone is wanting fresher wines. While winters are filled with the spicier and darker Syrah, this is the time of year when Pinot Noir reigns supreme for red grapes. Of particular interest are the new releases of Burgundy wines that show up in the United States as Spring approaches. This year, the 2010 vintage is hitting the market.While it is a good idea to purchase the great Grand Crus of Burgundy and put them in your cellar this year (the 2010’s that I’ve tasted have been phenomenal), it’s also prudent to get some of the village level wines that are just wonderful to drink when fresh and young.

Look to the appellation of Marsannay for wines that are fresh, vibrant and generally budget friendly. Cyril Audoin makes some incredible Pinot Noirs in this appellation as does Bruno Claire. Another appellation to watch out for is Beaune. Domaine St. Marc and Albert Morot are two great producers putting forward vibrant and powerfully fresh Pinot Noirs from this town. Additionally, it is useful to pay attention to the more general areas such as Hautes Cotes de Nuits which is an appellation for Pinot Noirs from Burgundy from which you can find wonderfully fruit forward and budget friendly wines that are as fresh and exciting as the time of year itself.

Andy Chabot, Food and Beverage Director

This truly is one of the best times of year. I think about it all winter long and even trick myself into thinking the grass has started growing again before it’s actually happened. The energy that can be felt is exhilarating and we start to see that energy on our plates in the restaurant. Root vegetables give way to young greens. Braised meat gives way to Grilled. Syrah gives way to Pinot Noir. There’s simply a freshness to everything and it seems that everyone is wanting fresher wines. While winters are filled with the spicier and darker Syrah, this is the time of year when Pinot Noir reigns supreme for red grapes. Of particular interest are the new releases of Burgundy wines that show up in the United States as Spring approaches. This year, the 2010 vintage is hitting the market.While it is a good idea to purchase the great Grand Crus of Burgundy and put them in your cellar this year (the 2010’s that I’ve tasted have been phenomenal), it’s also prudent to get some of the village level wines that are just wonderful to drink when fresh and young.

Look to the appellation of Marsannay for wines that are fresh, vibrant and generally budget friendly. Cyril Audoin makes some incredible Pinot Noirs in this appellation as does Bruno Claire. Another appellation to watch out for is Beaune. Domaine St. Marc and Albert Morot are two great producers putting forward vibrant and powerfully fresh Pinot Noirs from this town. Additionally, it is useful to pay attention to the more general areas such as Hautes Cotes de Nuits which is an appellation for Pinot Noirs from Burgundy from which you can find wonderfully fruit forward and budget friendly wines that are as fresh and exciting as the time of year itself.

Andy Chabot, Food and Beverage Director