Alex Gambal Tasting at Wine Watch

Burgundy for kings, champagne for duchesses, claret for gentlemen.
Anon French Proverb

Alex Gambal has taken Burgundy by storm. He moved to Burgundy in the early 1990's to work for trail blazer Becky Wasserman, fell in love with the people, wines and lifestyle of the vigneron. This experience prompted him to open his own negociant firm in 1997. Alex is a good friend of Wine Watch and he was just in town in March but because of the last minute nature of his visit we were unable to hook up for an event but I promised Alex we would do a tasting featuring his newly released 2008 vintage wines and I thought that this year it would be fun to show the exact same wine along with its counterpart from the 2007 vintage.  We will be handing out an offering of wines available from the outstanding 2009 vintage from Gambal and it will include some big bottles of Burgundy which are very rare.  Most distributors are not fans of big bottles so we have to order them special and when Alex called me and asked if I wanted some magnums of his 2009's in Magnum format.  I said- "you know I do"!
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Tonight we will be comparing the 2007 and 2008 vintage wines with a duo of each wine being served at this event.   Along with a three course tasting menu prepared by Wine Watch Catering's Toni Lampasone.  The fee for this event is $75 + tax for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Tasting Line-up:

White Burgundy

2007 Alex Gambal Chassagne Montrachet
Price: $57         Sale $50.16      Case $581
Quantity in Stock: 25

(88-90 Points)A wonderfully fresh nose of herb resin, citrus and underbrush hints are trimmed in a discreet application of wood influence that marries into detailed, punch and frank medium-bodied flavors that are bone dry on the focused and relatively powerful finish for a villages. Attractive if not elegant with ample character. Tasted: Jun 01, 2009 Drink: 2012+  Burghound Issue 35

2008 Alex Gambal Chassagne Montrachet
Price: $52.50    Sale $46.20      Case $536
(10 cases available)

Made from purchased grapes from the village lieu dits in Chassagne Montrachet from the parcels Blanchots Dessous and Les Essarts.

(89 Points) A layered and appealing nose offers notes of resin, orchard fruit and a hint of rosemary oil that serves as a complex introduction to the sappy and palate soaking middle weight flavors that possess fine intensity and excellent length for a villages level wine. This is fashioned in a forward and early drinking style yet remains entirely serious. Recommended. Tasted: Jun 01, 2010 Drink: 2012+  - Comments: Outstanding Top value Burghound Issue 39

2007 Alex Gambal Puligny Montrachet
Price: $60         Sale $52.80      Case $612
Quantity in Stock: 2

(90 Points) Here the nose is a bit more elegant and higher-toned with classic Puligny aromas of very pure orchard fruit and acacia blossom notes trimmed in a deft touch of oak that slide gracefully into round and rich yet beautifully detailed medium-bodied flavors that possess fine mid-palate fat and are given a bit of lift by the subtle minerality that appears on the vibrant and zesty finish. Excellent quality for a villages level wine and this is recommended. Tasted: Jul 01, 2009  Drink: 2013+
- Comments: Outstanding Burghound Issue 35

2008 Alex Gambal Puligny Montrachet
Price: $54.75    Sale $48.18      Case $559
(8 Cases Available)

(88 Points) Here the aromatic profile offers a small step up in elegance with a classic Puligny-style nose of acacia blossom, white peach and pear notes that add interest to the ripe, rich and lemony medium-bodied flavors that possess good intensity and reasonable persistence. This should benefit from mid-term cellaring. Drink 2013+. Burghound(6/2010)

Red Burgundy

2007 Alex Gambal Chambolle Musigny
Price: $60         Sale $52.80      Case $612
Quantity in Stock: 10

(90 Points) Focused, vibrant and pure, with black currant, blackberry and violet aromas and flavors that play out on the succulent texture. Some tannins edge in on the finish, but this is long and mouthwatering. Best from 2012 through 2018. 75 cases imported. -BS  Wine Spectator Issue: May 31, 2010

Notes from The Burghound:  Alex Gambal described the difficulty with the 2007 vintage as one where "the trick was to obtain sufficiently high phenolic ripeness. While the solution to the problem sounds obvious in that you just wait patiently, that didn't work in 2007 because the vegetative cycle was finished and thus there was no more phenolic maturity to be coaxed from the vines. We waited as long as could until we were convinced that there was nothing more to be had except for a loss of acidity and began picking on the 31st of August. The good news is that if you were particularly strict in your sorting work in eliminating any substandard fruit, there was ripe fruit to be had, just not a lot of it. Sugars were reasonably good and we did a very gentle extraction so as to avoid having any astringent tannins. There was a lot of malic acid so the malos were long and slow and we noticed that the reds picked up a lot of body by feeding off of their fine lees. Indeed I would go so far as to say that we were very pleasantly surprised by the amount of fat they picked up during their élevage. Overall, the '07s reds are very pretty, very Burgundian and people will like them as they will be accessible young and should drink well all their lives as the tannins are not forbidding or stern." As I noted last year, Gambal has again augmented his vineyard holdings and the total is now 2.5 ha, or a bit more than 6 acres.

2008 Alex Gambal Chambolle Musigny
Price: $54.75    Sale $48.18      Case $559
(6 cases available)

Made from grapes harvested from the AOC village Lieu dits of Les Barottes and Aux Echanges.

(88-89 Points) Gambal’s 2008 Chambolle-Musigny - the last of its vintage in his cellars to finish its malo - is more winsome than the wines that preceded it in this year’s line-up, with vanilla-kissed ripe, lightly-cooked cherry, heliotrope and lily perfume, as well as clean, underlying meatiness. While forwardly fruity and incipiently creamy in texture, it betrays a faint memory of its malic acid (enhanced by residual CO2) in the form of a slight catch in the throat. Still, there’s nothing wrong with its sense of invigoration per se; there is a lovely saline savor here, too; and one could be forgiven for enjoying the wine now, anticipating that it should also keep well for 6-8 years, with its finish perhaps gaining polish.  Wine Advocate # 189, Jun 2010

2007 Alex Gambal Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
Price: $172.50  Sale $151.80    Case $1760
(1 case available)

(93 Points)  A suave red, full of sweet fruit and spicy oak that covers its firm tannins well, with fine spicy length. This is more charming than many in this appellation and should develop soon, but it also has the stuffing to age. Best from 2013 through 2024. 40 cases imported.  Wine Spectator  (5/2010):

2008 Alex Gambal Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
Price: $150       Sale $132         Case $1530
(1 case available)

(91-92 Points)  From three barrels reflecting parcels on the top and in the middle of this famous enclave (purchased as juice, although beginning in 2009, Gambal will get some grapes) his 2008 Clos Vougeot displays intriguingly woodsy and red berry aromas, a fine sense of bright red raspberry, and vivacity and lift such as one notices in many of this vintage’s exemplars of this cru. A subtle sense of creaminess; roasted meat and marrow; and mossy, peaty hints of forest floor all convey underlying richness. This culminates in a resonant interplay of fruit and brown spices with stony, saline minerality that tugs at the salivary glands, easily inviting the next sip. It should be well worth following for at least a dozen years. Wine Advocate (6/2010)

Menu

Assortment of Cheeses

Pauchouse of river fish

Coq au Vin

A bit about Alex Gambal:

Burgundy today is a paradox, one of the planets greatest terroirs for growing pinot noir and chardonnay and yet so many of the wines from this region remain average, overpriced examples of these two varietals.  I visited this region in March of 2008 for the Grand Jours de Bourgogne, a tasting that encompasses the entire region of Burgundy, with each village hosting a tasting highlighting their appellations wines with almost all of the major properties showing their wines.  The Corton tasting included a whopping 150 wines with equally as many vintners.  This tasting is one event that sums up the opening statement of this offering.  This is by far the largest grand cru in Burgundy and of the 150 different wines that have Grand Cru status only about 1/3 of the wines were grand- leaving the latter 2/3 of the wines shown at this event just grandly overpriced. 

Much of the dilemma that plagues Burgundy and causes the mass amount of mediocrity is that many of the new generation of producers are not enthusiastic about making wine.  They also have come to the realization they can sell everything they produce without working very hard.  This is not to say that there are a lack of passionate producers that worked hard to be the best regardless of profit, but that for the quality of the vineyards here there seems to be an alarming amount of average wines.  One of the things that add to the confusion here is that there are more small subdivided vineyard plots here probably than anywhere else in France or the world for that matter.  If you look at the most famous wine region of France and compare Burgundy to it you will find a few interesting facts.  Each time Burgundy produces one bottle of red wine, Bordeaux produces nine. For white wines, the ratio is one for two. Furthermore, Grand Crus in Burgundy only represent 3% of the total production!  In a year, the prestigious Château d'Yquem may produce around 8.000 cases whereas the Marquis de Laguiche (the largest owner of the prized Le Montrachet vineyard) will only produce 700 cases of Le Montrachet. 

Alex Gambal, one of the newcomers to this area has made one of the biggest impacts on the quality and the marketability of this region.  Alex has brought the American work ethic and his enthusiastic approach to marketing his wines and during the Grand Jours de Bourgogne he did what very few vintners do for the influx of Burgundy fans, he opened up his cuverie to his patrons so they could taste his newest releases in a relaxed and comfortable environment.  Most other producers only show their wines at the big tastings hosted by each appellation.

Born in Washington D.C., Alex Gambal discovered Burgundy in 1993, along with a passion for its wine.  He had caught the wine bug so bad that he decided to move the entire family to Burgundy to work with one of the leading U.S. importers of Burgundy Becky Wasserman.  It was not long before he was enrolled in the famous wine school in Beaune studying about winemaking and viticulture.  Only a few short years later he left Wasserman and created a négociant-éleveur business in 1997.

During the first year, Alex began by purchasing 1996 vintage finished wines and by 1998 had already established relationships with local growers.  Alex began to vinify the wine, beginning with grapes and must. In 2005, Maison Alex Gambal vinified 95% of the wines that will be bottled and they now own vineyards in the Bourgogne appellation that account for about 50% of the production of their two entry level wines; the Bourgogne Rouge and the Bourgogne Blanc. 

The philosophy of Alex Gambal is a respect for the character of each appellation and vintage.  In addition, he believes that good winemaking, although imperative, should be secondary to the quality of the grapes which result from relationships and a sharing of ideas with the growers.  Achieving this goal requires constant attention to the individual vineyards including pruning techniques, green harvesting, vine maturity, etc. (certain vineyard sites are even picked by his own small team of vendangeurs). 

Alex Gambal wines available:

2008 Alex Gambal Chassagne Montrachet
Price: $52.50    Sale $46.20      Case $536
(10 cases available)

Made from purchased grapes from the village lieu dits in Chassagne Montrachet from the parcels Blanchots Dessous and Les Essarts.

(89 Points) A layered and appealing nose offers notes of resin, orchard fruit and a hint of rosemary oil that serves as a complex introduction to the sappy and palate soaking middle weight flavors that possess fine intensity and excellent length for a villages level wine. This is fashioned in a forward and early drinking style yet remains entirely serious. Recommended. Tasted: Jun 01, 2010 Drink: 2012+  - Comments: Outstanding Top value Burghound Issue 39

2008 Alex Gambal Chassagne Montrachet Maltroie 1er Cru
Price: $65.75    Sale $57.86      Case $671
(7 Cases availble)

(90-92 Points) The barest hint of exoticism adds a bit of aromatic interest to the ripe peach, apricot and mineral notes that continue onto the delicious, concentrated, rich and impressively full-bodied flavors that possess excellent balance and lovely harmony of expression. I very much like this as the palate staining and mouth coating finish is both quite stylish and highly persistent.  Tasted: Jun 01, 2010 Drink: 2014+  - Comments: Outstanding Burghound Issue 39

2008 Alex Gambal Puligny Montrachet
Price: $54.75    Sale $48.18      Case $559
(8 Cases Available)

(88 Points) Here the aromatic profile offers a small step up in elegance with a classic Puligny-style nose of acacia blossom, white peach and pear notes that add interest to the ripe, rich and lemony medium-bodied flavors that possess good intensity and reasonable persistence. This should benefit from mid-term cellaring. Drink 2013+. Burghound(6/2010)

2008 Alex Gambal Bourgogne Rouge Cuvee Les Doux Papis
Price: $26.25    Sale $23.10      Case $268
(21 Cases Available)

The grapes for this wine are from Alex's Domaine in Volnay.  The cuvee is complimented with grapes that are purchased from Pommard and Savigny-les-Beaune.

(85 Points) An earthy, rustic and entirely serious dark berry fruit nose leads to supple, round and fresh flavors that culminate in a racy and slightly tangy finish and the overall impression is one of a delicious wine that should reward 2 to 3 years of cellar time.  Tasted: Apr 18, 2010  Drink: 2012+ Burghound Issue 38

2008 Alex Gambal Sauvigny Les Beaune Vielle Vignes
Price: $33         Sale $29.04      Case $337
(7 cases available)

The grapes for this wine are from the AOC village Lieu dit of Les Saucours

(88-89 Points)  Gambal’s 2008 Savigny-les-Beaune Vieilles Vignes - which did not finish its malo until late autumn - is deeply carnal through and through. Toasted pecan and tobacco add to its roast meat scents and flavors, and it finishes with invigorating salinity and juicy, subtly tart berry persistence complementing its impressive low tones. This fine value should prove highly satisfying for at least 6-8 years.  Wine Advocate # 189, Jun 2010

2008 Alex Gambal Chambolle Musigny
Price: $54.75    Sale $48.18      Case $559
(6 cases available)

Made from grapes harvested from the AOC village Lieu dits of Les Barottes and Aux Echanges.

(88-89 Points) Gambal’s 2008 Chambolle-Musigny - the last of its vintage in his cellars to finish its malo - is more winsome than the wines that preceded it in this year’s line-up, with vanilla-kissed ripe, lightly-cooked cherry, heliotrope and lily perfume, as well as clean, underlying meatiness. While forwardly fruity and incipiently creamy in texture, it betrays a faint memory of its malic acid (enhanced by residual CO2) in the form of a slight catch in the throat. Still, there’s nothing wrong with its sense of invigoration per se; there is a lovely saline savor here, too; and one could be forgiven for enjoying the wine now, anticipating that it should also keep well for 6-8 years, with its finish perhaps gaining polish.  Wine Advocate # 189, Jun 2010

2008 Alex Gambal Vosne Romanee
Price: $60         Sale $52.80      Case $612

Made from grapes harvested from the AOC village Lieu dits of Au-dessus de la Riviere and Vigneux.

(86-88 Points) A lightly spiced cool red berry fruit nose introduces delicious, round and admirably pure flavors that possess a lovely sense of underlying tension, all wrapped in a finish where the structural elements also seem to be right at the limit of sufficient phenolic ripeness though again, this impression is undoubtedly exacerbated by the presence of ample amounts of carbon dioxide.  Tasted: Apr 18, 2010  Drink: 2014+ Burghound Issue 38

2008 Alex Gambal Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
Price: $150       Sale $132         Case $1530
(1 case available)

(91-92 Points)  From three barrels reflecting parcels on the top and in the middle of this famous enclave (purchased as juice, although beginning in 2009, Gambal will get some grapes) his 2008 Clos Vougeot displays intriguingly woodsy and red berry aromas, a fine sense of bright red raspberry, and vivacity and lift such as one notices in many of this vintage’s exemplars of this cru. A subtle sense of creaminess; roasted meat and marrow; and mossy, peaty hints of forest floor all convey underlying richness. This culminates in a resonant interplay of fruit and brown spices with stony, saline minerality that tugs at the salivary glands, easily inviting the next sip. It should be well worth following for at least a dozen years. Wine Advocate (6/2010)

2008 Alex Gambal Le Chambertin Grand Cru
Price: $255       Sale $224.40    Case $2601
(3 Cases Available)

2008 Big Bottles of Burgundy from our buddy Alex Gambal:

The Magnum is the perfect size bottle of wine for a dinner party of 4 people it is 2 nice glasses per person.  You know that is not enough at my house but for most people 2 glasses is good for the dinner course.  Magnums also age slower and are always fresher when you get 10+ years of cellar time.

2008 Alex Gambal Vosne Romanee Vielles Vignes (Magnum)
Price: $126       Sale $110.88
(9 bottles available)

Made from grapes harvested from the AOC village Lieu dits of Au-dessus de la Riviere and Vigneux. 

(86-88 Points) A lightly spiced cool red berry fruit nose introduces delicious, round and admirably pure flavors that possess a lovely sense of underlying tension, all wrapped in a finish where the structural elements also seem to be right at the limit of sufficient phenolic ripeness though again, this impression is undoubtedly exacerbated by the presence of ample amounts of carbon dioxide.  Tasted: Apr 18, 2010  Drink: 2014+ Burghound Issue 38

2008 Alex Gambal Chambolle Musigny (Magnum)
Price: $117.75  Sale $103.62
(2 bottles available)

Made from grapes harvested from the AOC village Lieu dits of Les Barottes and Aux Echanges.

(88-89 Points) Gambal’s 2008 Chambolle-Musigny - the last of its vintage in his cellars to finish its malo - is more winsome than the wines that preceded it in this year’s line-up, with vanilla-kissed ripe, lightly-cooked cherry, heliotrope and lily perfume, as well as clean, underlying meatiness. While forwardly fruity and incipiently creamy in texture, it betrays a faint memory of its malic acid (enhanced by residual CO2) in the form of a slight catch in the throat. Still, there’s nothing wrong with its sense of invigoration per se; there is a lovely saline savor here, too; and one could be forgiven for enjoying the wine now, anticipating that it should also keep well for 6-8 years, with its finish perhaps gaining polish.  Wine Advocate # 189, Jun 2010

"It was the classic ‘winemaker’s year,’ in which you had better think-through everything you do," says Alex Gambal of 2008, adding that "it is the most challenging red wine vintage I have thus far had to make," due inter alia to the challenge of getting his growers to postpone picking until the fruit was ripe, the attendant triage, but also of the protracted malo-lactic conversions and difficult decisions about elevage. (For more about Gambal’s history and negociant operation - weighted toward white wine - please consult my previous reports.) With the exception of his Bourgogne, all of the 2008 vintage reds I tasted here in March were in tank, and had been decanted overnight to de-gas them.   Wine Advocate # 189, Jun 2010

2007 Vintage Alex Gambal wines in the store:

2007 Alex Gambal Chassagne Montrachet
Price: $57         Sale $50.16      Case $581
Quantity in Stock: 25

(88-90 Points)A wonderfully fresh nose of herb resin, citrus and underbrush hints are trimmed in a discreet application of wood influence that marries into detailed, punch and frank medium-bodied flavors that are bone dry on the focused and relatively powerful finish for a villages. Attractive if not elegant with ample character. Tasted: Jun 01, 2009 Drink: 2012+  Burghound Issue 35

2007 Alex Gambal Puligny Montrachet
Price: $60         Sale $52.80      Case $612
Quantity in Stock: 2

(90 Points) Here the nose is a bit more elegant and higher-toned with classic Puligny aromas of very pure orchard fruit and acacia blossom notes trimmed in a deft touch of oak that slide gracefully into round and rich yet beautifully detailed medium-bodied flavors that possess fine mid-palate fat and are given a bit of lift by the subtle minerality that appears on the vibrant and zesty finish. Excellent quality for a villages level wine and this is recommended. Tasted: Jul 01, 2009  Drink: 2013+
- Comments: Outstanding Burghound Issue 35

2007 Alex Gambal Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru
Price: $142.50  Sale $125.40    Case $1454
Quantity in Stock: 7

(91-94 Points) Discreet oak influence sets off an expressive nose of white flower, green apple and obvious mineral notes that continue onto the gorgeously deep, broad and powerful flavors blessed with ample dry extract on the driving and palate staining finish. The energy and intensity here are something and in terms of style and character, this is textbook Corton-Charlemagne with the stuffing and structure to age well. In a word, terrific.  Tasted: Jul 01, 2009  Drink: 2015+ Burghound Issue 35

2007 Alex Gambal Bourgogne Rouge Cuvee Les Doux Papis
Price: $27.00    Sale $23.76      Case $275
Quantity in Stock: 27

(87 Points) Lovely balance and harmony highlight this berry- and currant-filled red. This is firm, but just enough to keep the fruit focused. Lingering berry finish. Drink now through 2014. 350 cases imported. -BS Wine Spectator Issue: May 31, 2010

2007 Alex Gambal Volnay Santenots
Price: $63         Sale $55.44      Case $643
Quantity in Stock: 6

(91 Points) Scented with black pepper, rose, sandalwood and berry aromas, with more of the same on the palate. Intense and elegant, yet with an inner power and adequate flesh to balance the firm structure. This has a lovely finish. Best from 2012 through 2023. 50 cases imported. -BS Wine Spectator Issue: May 31, 2010

2007 Alex Gambal Chambolle Musigny
Price: $60         Sale $52.80      Case $612
Quantity in Stock: 10

(90 Points) Focused, vibrant and pure, with black currant, blackberry and violet aromas and flavors that play out on the succulent texture. Some tannins edge in on the finish, but this is long and mouthwatering. Best from 2012 through 2018. 75 cases imported. -BS  Wine Spectator Issue: May 31, 2010

Notes from The Burghound:  Alex Gambal described the difficulty with the 2007 vintage as one where "the trick was to obtain sufficiently high phenolic ripeness. While the solution to the problem sounds obvious in that you just wait patiently, that didn't work in 2007 because the vegetative cycle was finished and thus there was no more phenolic maturity to be coaxed from the vines. We waited as long as could until we were convinced that there was nothing more to be had except for a loss of acidity and began picking on the 31st of August. The good news is that if you were particularly strict in your sorting work in eliminating any substandard fruit, there was ripe fruit to be had, just not a lot of it. Sugars were reasonably good and we did a very gentle extraction so as to avoid having any astringent tannins. There was a lot of malic acid so the malos were long and slow and we noticed that the reds picked up a lot of body by feeding off of their fine lees. Indeed I would go so far as to say that we were very pleasantly surprised by the amount of fat they picked up during their élevage. Overall, the '07s reds are very pretty, very Burgundian and people will like them as they will be accessible young and should drink well all their lives as the tannins are not forbidding or stern." As I noted last year, Gambal has again augmented his vineyard holdings and the total is now 2.5 ha, or a bit more than 6 acres.

Older Vintage Wines in the store from Alex Gambal:

2006 Alex Gambal Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
Price: $135.00  Sale $118.80
(Quantity in Stock: 16)

(93 Points) A round, fruity style, but there's no shortage of grip. Black cherry and black currant flavors set the pace, before fine-grained tannins, spice and mineral flavors enter the mix. Fine length. Best from 2011 through 2022. 125 cases made. -BS  Wine Spectator Issue: May 31, 2009

2006 Alex Gambal Chambolle Musigny      
Price: $60.00    Sale $52.80
(Quantity in Stock: 13)

This was put in bottle before harvest and is already delightful to drink. Perfumed with dense black cherry fruit; yummy. Give it 3-4 years and you will have the Chambolle that we all love so much. 25% new oak.  100 cases. 

(90 Points) This is full of dark fruit and meat, with black cherry and plum notes. Rich and concentrated, with a bright structure and well-integrated tannins. Lingers nicely. Best from 2010 through 2018. 100 cases made. -BS Wine Spectator Issue: May 31, 2009

2006 Alex Gambal Chassagne Montrachet La Maltroie 1er Cru 
Price: $75.00   Sale $66
(Quantity in Stock: 6)

As the Clos St. Jean typically is open and inviting this year the Maltroie is concentrated, reserved but with 06’s exuberant nose. Maltroie’s mineral quality (due to iron ore stones in the soil) makes the wine tight and elegant like a suspension bridge cable. 100 cases.

(92 Points) Beautifully put together, this white expresses its site with mineral, herb and savory elements, accented by apple, lemon and oak spice flavors. It's sleek and lingers on the finish. Drink now through 2018. 100 cases made. -BS Wine Spectator, Issue: Aug 31, 2009

2006 Alex Gambal Chassagne Montrachet            
Price: $63   Sale $55.44
(Quantity in Stock: 6)

As in years past Alex's Chassagne village comes from two parcels of 65/35 year old vines (below Criots and Champs Gains). There is a wonderful exuberance and floral quality this year as well as its inherent power. Gambal used 20% new oak and he made 240 cases.

2004 Alex Gambal Echezeaux Grand Cru
Price: $103.50  Your $91.08
Quantity in Stock: 5

(89-92 Points) A wonderfully spicy black pinot fruit nose is framed by a background touch of wood and gives way to deep and complex flavors that are impressively rich, sweet and intense yet retain a fine sense of detail on the long, mouth coating and powerful finish. This is not a huge wine but it is unusually refined by the typical standards of the appellation and should drink well young but repay admirably mid-term cellar time. Tasted: Apr 01, 2006 Drink: 2009+ Burghound Issue 22

The newest offering from Alex Gambal?  This is a travel company that Alex's wife Diana has set up and has Alex as one of her wine expert/host for the trip.

Buongiorno Tutti!

Hidden France is crossing the border to Italy!  Wouldn't you love to immerse yourself in the heart of the Tuscan wine region, walk through the vineyards and visit the fabled towns of San Gimignano, Siena and Montalcino?  Walk with us as we discover this beautiful area of Italy, one step (and glass!) at a time. 

Your Hosts

Diana Williams (moi, owner of Hidden France) will be accompanying you every step of the way.  Along with Melissa, we have designed the trip to incorporate the very best of the area - from the luxurious hotels, to the unique restaurants, to the special winery visits to the off-the-beaten-path walks each day. 

Joining us on our adventure will be Melissa Morris, resident artist/art historian and 20 year veteran European trip leader.  She's the owner of Vertigo MTB, a custom travel company in Florence.  She knows Tuscany like no one else.  It's her home.

Alex Gambal, winemaker extraordinaire from Burgundy, will be our resident wine expert for the week. 

The Dates 
May 3-8, 2011

Maximum Trip Size: 12

The Hotels 
Capannelle Winery and Farmhouse (Orient Express Property), 1 night
Castello di Tornano**** (10th Century Castle and winery) in Gaiole in Chianti - 2 nights
Castello di Velona **** (11th Century Fortress and winery) in Castelnuevo dell'Abate - 2 nights

For more information about this and other vacation opportunities contact:

Diana Williams
Domaine des Volets Bleus
21340 Orches - Baubigny
France
Email : diana@thehiddenfrance.com
Telephone: + 33 (0) 6 78 01 43 34

Or check out the website:  www.thehiddenfrance.com