VDLT News

Congrats to Our 100 Winners!

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Michael Kimelman in featured, VDLT News | Leave a comment

Happy Birthday George!

George Washington was my favorite President.  Thanks to him, I never went to school on my birthday.  Yes, for me February 22 has always been a day for dancing and thinking about the future with great anticipation.  Dow 20,000!! Marvelous and the Chief cooking Schatzie’s steaks at the 2014 Super Bowl (Giants vs Denver) tailgate party at MetLife Stadium.  Please don’t wake me yet – I think they’re serving VDLT’s Chablis at all of the refreshment stands.
 
The VDLT community has brightened my life,
so it's a time for proper thanks.
 
The first 100 folks to email us their shipping address will receive 2 wonderful bottles of VDLT wine. It's simple, just click on this link, give us your shipping address and wait for your two bottles of wine.

The first is Dubreuil Fontaine’s Grand Cru Corton Perrieres 2008 from a vineyard high up on the famous Corton hillside.

The second is Domaine Robert Sirugue’s  Vosne Romanee 2007 Vieilles Vignes – a terrific wine taken from vineyards in the heart of Burgundy’s “Pearl of the Cote.” This lush, jammy sensual wine is a treat.

The total retail value of this gift from “George” (my middle name) is way in excess of $100. Enjoy these wines with friends – they will thank you and are likely to join our community.

 
Live life – it’s the greatest game ever invented!! 
 
 

Created by Catholicism, Enjoyed by the World

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Michael Kimelman in VDLT News | Leave a comment

Created by Catholicism, Enjoyed by the World

Notre Dame is special to everyone.  Whenever I visit, I light a candle for my daughter, Mary, and for Pat’s mom, Jean. Often while sipping a Meursault or Puligny Montrachet, I contemplate the miracle that created the most interesting and coveted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the world. For 1,200 years, the monks sorted and nurtured “God’s messages” into Chambertin, Montrachet, etc.
 
Allen Meadows (Burghound), in a spellbounding video, relates this tale. We urge you to watch – it will enhance your every sip of Burgundy.

 

 

 

 

Live life – it’s the greatest game ever invented!!
 
 

Happy Birthday George

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Michael Kimelman in VDLT News | Leave a comment

Happy Birthday George!

George Washington was my favorite President.  Thanks to him, I never went to school on my birthday.  Yes, for me February 22 has always been a day for dancing and thinking about the future with great anticipation.  Dow 20,000!! Marvelous and the Chief cooking Schatzie’s steaks at the 2014 Super Bowl (Giants vs Denver) tailgate party at MetLife Stadium.  Please don’t wake me yet – I think they’re serving VDLT’s Chablis at all of the refreshment stands.
 
The VDLT community has brightened my life,
so it's a time for proper thanks.
 
The first 100 folks to email us their shipping address will receive 2 wonderful bottles of VDLT wine. It's simple, just click on this link, give us your shipping address and wait for your two bottles of wine.

 

The first is Dubreuil Fontaine’s Grand Cru Corton Perrieres 2008 from a vineyard high up on the famous Corton hillside.

 

The second is Domaine Robert Sirugue’s  Vosne Romanee 2007 Vieilles Vignes – a terrific wine taken from vineyards in the heart of Burgundy’s “Pearl of the Cote.” This lush, jammy sensual wine is a treat.
The total retail value of this gift from “George” (my middle name) is way in excess of $100. Enjoy these wines with friends – they will thank you and are likely to join our community.
 
Live life – it’s the greatest game ever invented!! 
 
 

In Pursuit of Taste

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Michael Kimelman in featured, VDLT News | Leave a comment
 
The Democratization of Connoisseurship
 
J. Feder Zane’s article in the New York Times “In Pursuit of Taste, En Masse” is a recommended read.

 

 

We all want to enjoy the best of everything with our family and friends. Our community stretches across the country. However technology permits us to share our passion for food, wine, and gathering as if we were a friendly Iowa neighborhood. The VDLT wine lover’s dream trip and treasure chest is a wonderful vehicle that will accelerate this process. This contest is going to bring our community closer together and incentify all of us to contribute. There will be fabulous prizes. In addition to the dream trips to France, there will be $400 gift certificates for restaurants and gourmet produce markets. Prizes will be worth in excess of 15% of the total dollar amount of wine purchased during the contest. Neighbors who contribute ideas that are used in emails to the community will also receive chances to win these wonderful prizes.

All of the ideas, recipes, product recommendations, and restaurant recommendations will be organized and archived on our website. Thus our website will become an incredible source of knowledge. Yes, connoisseurship created by neighbors.

Live life – it’s the greatest game ever invented!! 
 
 

VDLT Featured

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Michael Kimelman in featured, VDLT News | Leave a comment

VDLT is proud to be featured in Dorian Seafood Market's newsletter that was sent out yesterday. We thought our members would enjoy the items that were featured for their Valentine's Day Specials. 

Pick up in store or let them deliver to your door for free!

Oysters on the Half Shell. Choice of Blue Point, Beau Soliel, or Kumomoto $24/dozen

Maine Lobster with Crabmeat Stuffing Split Raw, just broil and serve $24/lb.

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail $30/half dozen

Steamed Main Lobster $20/lb.

Mignonette sauce: $750/half pt.
All natural Kelchner's cocktail sauce: $5/pt. 

What Dorian Said About Us:

The Perfect Pair

Dorian's Seafood Market has teamed up with the experts at Voix De La Terre (Learn more about Voix De La Terre Wines: http://www.vdltwine.com/) to offer you some helpful suggestions to pairing Dorian's fresh seafood with the perfect wine.
Check out the pairings!

Visit Dorian's Seafood Market
1580 York Avenue (83rd and 84th streets)
New York, NY 10028
T: 212.535.2256

Free Delivery!

 

 

Super Bowl Sunday

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Michael Kimelman in VDLT News | Leave a comment

The Super Bowl is truly an American treasure. Most of us will enjoy this spectacular event at home with friends and family. This year’s game promises to be an epic struggle and has fabulous story lines. The halftime show with Beyonce and all the first time fun commercials are pageantry at their best. A truly magical evening. Just writing this message gives one goosebumps of anticipation.

VDLT has a 1-2-3-4 plan to enhance your at-home Super Bowl.

Fried Shrimp – watch the video here; it’s a snap and a super crowd pleaser

Standing Rib Roast and the Super Bowl were created for each other. Learn more here

Mac ‘n Cheese – this is the Super Bowl of mac ‘n cheese – watch the video here and order pasta at Anna – long ziti #19

A Super Bowl 3 pack ($148)

Gevrey-Chambertin Champerrier, Vigne Centenaire 2009
Gevrey-Chambertin Champerrier, Vigne Centenaire 2008
Meursault 2007 

Buy now here

The first two wines by Marchand-Grillot are grapes taken from vines that are 100 years old. Great fruit and minerality requires double decanting – go to our website to learn more. This, plus Francois Mikulski’s 2007 Meursault, will enhance an already special evening. Act today or tomorrow and you will have prior to kickoff. Yes, Alessandro – even in Aspen!!

 

 

What’s Next with VDLT

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Michael Kimelman in VDLT News | Leave a comment

Community Sharing

Domaine Drouhin-Laroze's owner and winemaker Philippe's taste buds dance as he walks past his wine cellar contemplating which wine he will pair tonight with his lovely wife Christine’s lamb dish. Meanwhile, 3,000 miles away, Marty Neidell is doing the same thing. Marty buys 6 bottles every year of each of Domaine Drouhin-Laroze’s wines so that he and his wife Suzan, their family, and friends have the same opportunity as Philippe and Christine. JOIE DE VIVRE!

Now you and I can also enjoy the same experience.

VDLT is about to “kick it up a notch” this year. Our emails will showcase new VDLT tasting kits customized to help us explore the voices of the earth while making our taste buds dance with features on exciting dishes. The kits will be matched with recipes for the food featured with links to exceptional purveyors of ingredients.

These emails will be weekly and will be archived on our website. Additionally, we expect members to share their recipes with the entire VDLT community. Contributors may be rewarded for their efforts with raffle tickets in our contests.

VDLT members Sapan and Deepali Vyas love food and wine, but their two-year-old and hectic business schedules make cooking and entertaining only a weekend opportunity. However, they do treat themselves to a once-a-week dining experience in New York City, bringing their VDLT wines in their VDLT tote bags.

Because of members like Sapan and Deepali Vyas, this year we will also enhance our community’s dining-out experiences by sending emails featuring a very special main course currently being served at a unique fun restaurant. The email will include a recommended wine tasting kit to accompany your meal. We are also in the process of arranging logistics to enable us to deliver your tasting kit directly to the restaurant before you arrive.

Once again, we expect the entire community to participate by sharing their favorite restaurant experiences. If we use these suggestions in an email, contest raffle tickets will be awarded. 

We have a very ambitious program and with our enthusiastic community’s support, VDLT will be able to deliver more and more pleasure.

CAVU – Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited

A Song for Your Heart

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Michael Kimelman in VDLT News | Leave a comment

SHARING, LEARNING, AND GROWING
 

Voix de la Terre (Voices of the Earth) has a Facebook page that is going to be the town square in which our community congregates. Our interests in wine, food, sharing, learning, and growing will fill our wall. An environment of warmth and friendship will encourage each of us to contribute generously. Like the tributaries emptying into the powerful Mississippi, together we will create wonderful positive energy. Each instrument in an orchestra plays an integral part in magically filling the air with beauty.

The VDLT wine community is perfectly symbolized in this incredibly inspiring do-not-miss video: 

It wonderfully illustrates the potential of positive energy generated by a community.

 

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY AND LIKE US ON FACEBOOK.

 

 

 

Mi Casa es su Casa

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Michael Kimelman in VDLT News | Leave a comment

 

 
Mitterand took Clinton here! Spielberg had Coppola's birthday party here! The Hambletonian Society annually entertains the horsemen of Europe here! Rocky took Adrienne here! Here is L'Ami Louis, a bistro in Paris!! The "Chief" discovered L'Ami Louis in 1982 and since has subconsciously incorporated its best attributes into his lifestyle.
 
People don't go to L'Ami Louis to see and be seen. We go to L'Ami Louis for the ultimate food, wine, and sharing experience. Incredible ingredients: foie gras; escargots; scallops; Bresse chicken – prepared simply on wood burning stoves and served in an almost less than humble setting. The karma is like nowhere else in the world. Friends enjoying food, wine, and each other in a room exploding with electricity. 
 
Hosting warm evenings of sharing food, wine, and ideas with family, friends, and business associates is the Chief's greatest pleasure. His greatest high is when an out-of-towner requests dinner at Chez Chief as opposed to one of New York's finest. Like his friend in Paris (Louis), the Chief searches endlessly for great products and simple recipes. For one night a year, L'Ami Louis is the greatest show on earth. However for the other 364, there is no place like home. Capon for $7.50 per person instead Bresse chicken for $40; wine for $50 instead of $500; mac n' cheese for $3 instead of cepes for $40 and, of course, the comfort of home is priceless. 
 
Steak at the Chief's humbles L'Ami Louis or any other steakhouse. Schatzie the Butcher has made Marvelous (Leonard Samson) and the Chief legendary hosts for decades. Chief's interest in wine and visits to the vineyards started over 25 years ago. Initially, Auguste Clape, Francois Mikulski and then, the ultimate resource, Raphael Gimenez Fauvety. Today VDLTWINE.COM brings fabulous wines at extraordinary prices directly from the vineyards of France to our homes. Ideal Cheese Shop scouts out the finest and most interesting cheeses not only from all parts of America but the entire world. And as for fish, the Chief originally met Dorian twenty years ago when she was working at Rosedale Fish Market and today he is thrilled to be a loyal customer of Dorian's Seafood Market.
 
The Chief's purveyors all gathered last week with the stated mission of bringing L'Ami Louis into the warm comfort of each other's home. The positive energy was exhilarating.  Madina and Steve led several wine tastings; Coogie of Ideal Cheese gave an over- the- top presentation of a typical Ideal Cheese cheese course; Dorian and Marvelous made a positively delicious halibut. The Chief and Tony played Steven Spielberg and also cooked tons of beef.  Our photographer shot hours upon hours of film which will be edited into many videos. These videos are going to formally begin "a whole new world". Yes, a magic carpet ride for all of us. We are going to share: recipes; party ideas; wine opinions etc. We are all going to enjoy even more hosting and sharing food, wine, and ideas. There is plenty of room on our carpet so climb aboard and share.

 

The Best Things In Life Are Free

Posted on February 28, 2012 by VDLT admin in VDLT Events, VDLT News, Winegrowers | Leave a comment

THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE

But unfortunately, everything we enjoy costs money and good wine is no exception. Raphael (“Houdini”) Gimenez-Fauvety has uncovered for us a wonderful winemaker whose wine relative to its brilliance costs close to the same price as the moon and the stars.

$23 Vacqueyras 2004       $16 Cotes du Rhone 2004

Frederic Chastan of Domaine de la Jaufrette in Chateauneuf-du-Pape makes several fine wines – two of which are outstanding: Cotes du Rhone 2004 and Vacqueyras 2004.

Frederic sells most of his grape production to well-known vignerons. However in years that he believes to be worthy, he retains 25% of his grapes and makes fabulous wine. Additionally Domaine de la Jaufrette doesn’t sell their wines until they believe that they are ready to drink. Eight year old Cotes du Rhone is a very different drink than it was at three. Frederic gives VDLT the extraordinary opportunity to drink eight year old wine that has come directly from his vineyard to our cellars.

The Vacqueyras 2004 is a big fella. Very rustic, very earthy, and terrific with spaghetti Bolognese, BBQ, or any zaftic Italian food. Sal Chiappetta, our Italian food maven attests to this wine’s worthiness. To quote Raphael, “Both of these wines are scandalous bargains not just because they are so affordable but because they give such great pleasure”.

Satisfaction or full credit against future purchase. 

These wines clearly demonstrate Raphael’s genius and pursuit of excellence.

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