YEARS OLD TAWNY DOC PORTO, AGED

WINES TO SHAPE YOUR CELLAR

In this Cellar, you have the opportunity to add no fewer than four major, global wine regions to your cellar. The wines listed here represent iconic expressions of the diverse climates and terroir.

The perfectly balanced cellar has a wine that you can serve for every occasion and every mood. When your occasion calls for a relatively light Pinot Noir, having a stellar PN from Oregon to call on is just sheer joy. The same concept can be said for the others on this list.

As you diversify your cellar and begin to drink a range of wine styles, your appreciation of the flavour profile of a particular wine will flourish. Your enjoyment of wine will grow and you will find yourself seeking out more new experiences. A virtuous circle.

A toast to the joy of wine!

HOOK & LADDER ROSÉ DE NOIRS SPARKLING WINE, SONOMA COUNTY, LOT 2819, P47

LIGHT WHITE

White/light fish, sipping on its own

RAMILO COLHEITA BRANCO, VINHO REGIONAL LISBOA, 2020, LOT 2773, P13

FULL BODY WHITE

Poultry, mild cheeses, pork

STONE VALLEY CHARDONNAY, CALIFORNIA, 2020, LOT 2844, P43

FORTIFIED / SWEET

Dessert, rich foods like foie gras

RÉCCUA PORTO, 10 ANOS, DOC PORTO (WOOD CASE), LOT 2792, WEB EXCLUSIVE

ROSÉ

Most appetizers, sipping on its own, the back deck

CAMPELO, VINHO ROSADO, DOC VINHO VERDE, 2020, LOT 2780, P18

LIGHT RED

Many pastas, pork, poultry, sipping on its own

HOLLORAN VINEYARD WINES HOLLORAN PINOT NOIR, DUNDEE HILLS, 2016, LOT 2825, P52

MEDIUM RED

Versatile; many meats without heavy sauces, casseroles

HÖPLER BLAUFRÄNKISCH, BURGENLAND, 2018, LOT 2767, P9

FULL BODY RED

Heavy stews, many game meats, lamb, strong cheeses, even dessert

KAUTZ & KRAMER CABERNET SAUVIGNON, BLOCK 50, LODI, 2017 , LOT 2843, P42

Q&A Daniel LeFrancois

Wine Spots

Daniel Lefrancois has worked in the wine industry for over 30 years. Originally from Virginia, he went on to work in Cognac, France, and San Francisco, CA, where he also worked as a wine broker. Read on to learn more about this amazing American winemaker.

READ MORE RESPONSES FROM DANIEL ON OUR BLOG.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO WINE? My journey into wine world began when I left Virginia as a young adult to spend 18 months backpacking throughout Asia and then Europe. I was enjoying a glass of wine at a café in Paris while looking at a map, trying to figure my next move. A drop of wine spilled onto the map, right next to Saint-Émilion. I took that as a sign and went on to backpack through Bordeaux. It was then that I just fell in love with the world of wine.

WHEN DID YOU BECOME A WINEMAKER? The idea first germinated when I was working in France at Camus Cognac, developing new wine and spirits brands. I knew that this is what I wanted to do, but first figure out my own style and choice of terroir. It was as a wine buyer, tasting wines from around the world, that I found myself gravitating towards winemakers who sought balance and harmony. I was so excited with my first 2004 Wine Spots Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon vintage. My next wine was my 2005 Zinfandelic Amador County Old Vine Zinfandel. That entire experience was amazing, from the label design to the wine blending.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT CALIFORNIA WINE? California is blessed in its diversity of regions and terroir. I love the kiss of California sunshine on the vineyards, we are blessed with great weather. Neighbouring regions, even neighbouring vineyards, can impart completely different personalities to the wine because of the varying terroir. I am constantly able to explore the different characteristics of the varietal, vineyard and region. While every vintage is unique, I am able maintain consistent quality along with excellent ripeness and freshness that is unique to California.

WHAT IS YOUR ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE FOOD-WINE PAIRING? Without a doubt, Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and lamb chops. It’s that pairing that always has me pausing between each bite and sip, just enjoying how the interplay of the full-bodied Cab mingles with the earthier flavors of the lamb chops.

AMONG THE WINES FEATURED BY OPIMIAN, WHICH ONE ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? AND WHY? One of my favorite wines is my Wine Spots Napa Valley Cuvée 38 Red Blend. Napa Valley is one of the premier regions in the world for Bordeaux varietals and one of the iconic “spots “for Cabernet Sauvignon. The Napa Valley Cuvée 38 is an ode to my Bordeaux days and a celebration of the art and nuance of blending different varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet France & Malbec) to create a harmonious wine. I love how the Old World varietals take on a fresh, ripe quality from Napa Valley terroir.

DESCRIBE YOUR PHILOSOPHY IN ONE WORD OR SENTENCE. Balance.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE 60S ROCK MOVEMENT THAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE ZINFANDELIC? Being a child of the 60s, I did not get to enjoy sixties music until my teenage years. There’s a unique style to 60s rock that you just don’t get from other decades. So much feeling and independent thought is captured in the songs. You can listen to the music and, without even knowing the history of that time, get a sense of what the artists were experiencing and almost relive it through their songs. It’s still my favorite music genre today.