Idaia Winery Ocean Thrapsathiri Wine from Crete with White Sturgeon Caviar

2015 Idaia Winery Ocean Thrapsathiri Wine from Crete

On this beautiful island the winery is located in the Venerato village in the heart of the Malevizi wine district.
The vineyards are located about 1,300 feet above sea level and have mostly a calcium clay soil. With the cooling summer breezes off of the Aegean Sea and with the vineyards elevation they are producing cool region white wines with freshness and crisp acidity.

This wine is made from 100% of the indigenous grape variety of Thrapsathiri. This varietal is grown throughout Crete and it makes a well balanced wine. The wine has a straw color with green tints. There are aromas of ripe melons, peaches and a breeze of minerality which extend onto the palate. There is a bit of mouth watering lemon on the refreshing finish.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

Americana Caviar (White Sturgeon): The wine highlights the creaminess in the caviar and then starts to cleanse the palate with it's touch of lemon in creating a clean finish. A great Lady Elena Caviar and Wine Pairing.

Champagne Dehours Trio S Non Vintage with White Sturgeon Caviar

Background

Champagne Dehours Trio S Non Vintage is a blend of 60% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot

Noir. This blend is made from a solera that began in 1998. The first bottling was from 2005. Each year a third of the solera is made into champagne and the solera is replenished with the wine from the current harvest. Dosage is 4 g/l.

Wine Description

The Champagne has a golden color with tiny bubbles. The aroma is flowery with orange citrus filled nutty
notes, ripe black berries and some minerality. A little bit of age is showing through with some oxidation notes.This is all so soft on the palate. On the finish there is a slight spiciness with the citrus shining and black fruit floral notes along with a spec of a sherry note.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

Americana Caviar (White Sturgeon):The pairing brings out an orange toffee note as it cleanses the palate.
A great Lady Elena caviar champagne and caviar pairing.

Best Champagne and Caviar Pairings for 2016 Candidate Philippe Gonet

As we wind down 2016 we are reviewing the best champagne and caviar experiences with Lady Elena Caviar.

Our first candidate that comes to mind is the Philippe Gonet Champagne Extra Brut 3210 Blanc des Blancs with Osetra Caviar

Alambre Moscatel de Setubal Sweet Wine Paired with White Sturgeon Caviar

Here we are tasting a sweet fortified wine from the wine region of Península de Setúbal which is south of Lisbon. This is 100% from the grape variety Moscatel de Setúbal.

2010 Jose Maria Da Fonseca Alambre Muscatel de Setúbal  

This 2010 Alambre Muscatel de Setúbal has a light amber golden color. There are sweet aromas of honey and candied oranges. On the palate some there is some nuttiness with a balance of acidity that keeps the wine soft and sweet but not cloying. In the finish the nuttiness is more prominent and the balanced acidity leaves some of the sweetness lingering.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

Americana (White Sturgeon): Here we are very complimentary with the nuttiness of both and we have the contrast of the sweetness with the salty. With this wine, it results in slight creaminess remaining and a cleansed palate. A great Lady Elena Caviar and wine pairing.

Joao Portugal Ramos Loureiro and Alvarinho Wines with White Sturgeon Caviar

The Lady has found a pair of new wine pairings with wines from Joao Portugal Ramos Wines.

Pairing #1

2015 Joao Portugal Ramos Loureiro

This wine is made from 85% Loureiro and 15% Alvarinho from the region of Vinho Verde and is fermented in all stainless steel tanks.

The wine has a pale straw color. There are floral aromas of  fresh ripe citrus with mineral tones. On the palate there is mineral infused juicy citrus. The finish is soft and crisp. Good so far and now for the pairing.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

Americana Caviar (White Sturgeon):There is this fine blending of the fruit with the creaminess of the caviar with a mineral backbone. A great Lady Elena Caviar and Wine Pairing.

Pairing #2

2015 Joao Portugal Ramos Alvarinho

This wine is 100% Alvarinho.It was (10%) partially fermented in new French oak barrels and the remainder was fermented in stainless steel tanks.

The wine has a straw color with  fresh aromas of rounded limes and grapefruits. This roundness continues on the palate. The wine finishes with refreshing acidity.


Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

Americana Caviar (White Sturgeon):With this pairing the pure flavors of the fruit shine through and leave your palate refreshed. A great Lady Elena Caviar and Wine Pairing.

Bouquet Sauvignon Blanc Wine from Long Island with Osetra Caviar

2014 Bouquet Sauvignon Blanc from the North Fork of Long Island wine appellation.

It's Fall in New York with temperatures in the 70's.

It is time for a chilled bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from Long Island. Sipping this now brings back those summer beach days. The wine is like a relaxing day at the beach.

The wine is filled with aromas of grapefruit and oranges along with the ripeness of a honeydew melon This is blended with all that minerality. On the palate it is light and delicate but on the finish there is that mouth watering zesty bitter grapefruit that is as refreshing as that breeze off the ocean water on a hot summers' day.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

O My Setra caviar (Osetra): The caviar accents the citrus of the wine with the minerality of each complimenting each other. The zestiness of the wine clears its way through the creaminess of the Osetra caviar and refreshes the palate. A great Lady Elena Caviar and wine pairing.

Louis Roederer Brut Premier in Magnum and Osetra Caviar

Magnums of champagne are always fun. Large tins of caviar are always fun to taste from.
So we have Fun Fun with this magnum of Roederer Brut Premier Champagne and Osetra Caviar.

Roederer Brut Premier NV is a blend of 40% Pinot Noir (from Bouzy and Ambonnay), 40% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Meunier.

The fun starts with your glass being filled with a golden yellow bubbly wine. There are aromas of  a , sweet baked apple pie with a little smokiness.
Fresh, rich and smooth on the palate. There is nuttiness, buttery toasted brioche blended among the sweetness of blackberries. On the finish, you find some lemon tart joining the party.


Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

O My Setra Caviar (Osetra): The smokiness found in the aroma appears with the caviar. The freshness of the fruit with the nuttiness is complimented with the Osetra caviar.. A great Lady Elena Caviar pairing.

Champagne Besserat de Bellefon Brut Cuvee des Moines with Osetra Caviar

Besserat de Bellefon was founded in Aÿ in 1843 by Edmond Besserat. They have their own 25 hectares of  vineyards located in the Marne Valley and source the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes from throughout the champagne region.

Champagne Besserat de Bellefon Brut Cuvee des Moines NV is a blend of  35% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, 45% Pinot Meunier.

The champagne has bright straw color with its tiny streaming bubbles.. There are aromas of fresh black juicy fruits, plum,peach and toasted brioche. This has a wonderful soft mouth feel as the aromas transform themselves to flavors on the palate. The minerality is so well blended. On the dry finish there is freshness with lingering sweet  brioche and citrus.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing 

O My Setra Caviar( Osetra): With this delicious pairing, the minerality is highlighted while enjoying the soft fruit flavors. A great Lady Elena Caviar and champagne pairing.

Champagne Besserat de Bellefon Blanc de Blancs Cuvee des Moines with Osetra Caviar

A celebration of the senses is the experience from the champagnes of Besserat de Bellefon and Lady Elena Caviar

The Besserat de Bellefon Blanc de Blancs Cuvee des Moines champagne comes in a clear bottle to show off its light golden color. The champagne has exciting tiny streaming bubbles. On the aroma there are  flowery  nutty orange with tangerine scents. The mouth feel is soft but light at the same time. There is a touch of sweet toasted brioche notes and underlying minerality on the plate.  It finishes with mouth watering citrus and those sweet toasted brioche notes.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

O My Setra Caviar (Osetra): The nuttiness and minerality of the champagne compliments the nuttiness of the caviar and the citrus notes linger while the palate is refreshed.

A great Lady Elena Caviar and Champagne pairing.

2002 Diebolt Vallois with White Sturgeon Caviar

The champagne house of Diebolt Vallois is located in the village of Cramant in the Cote des Blancs.

This champagne is 100% Chardonnay.

There are elegant aromas of orange blossom, apples, warm pastry with mineral tones. On the palate, this champagne is delicate with its integrated components. On the finish there is brioche,salty citrus with a slight chalkiness. Nicely drinking now.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing 
Americana Caviar (White Sturgeon): This elegant champagne covers over the caviar and cleanses with a modest expression of lingering toasty yeast and citrus. This is a great Lady Elena Caviar and champagne pairing.

JSC Telavi Wine Cellar Kondoli MTSVANE KISI White Wine with White Sturgeon Caviar

Lady Elena Caviar is at it again finding caviar and wine pairing with some great wines.

2014 JSC Telavi Wine Cellar Kondoli MTSVANE KISI White Wine

This is a wine from Georgia -the Country.
The wine is from the Marani Kondoli vineyards and is a blend of 50%Mtsvane and 50% Kisi.


Wine Notes: This wine is made in new world style by using stainless steel tanks. The wine has a pale straw color with greenish tints. There are floral blossoms with white peach and minerality. On the palate some more tropical notes are felt. It has a refreshing finish. Very nice.

Pairing with Lady Elena Caviar: Americana Caviar (White Sturgeon): There is a nice complimenting effect with the fruit and the blending of each ones minerality. Your palate is cleansed with those lovely fresh fruit notes. A great Lady Elena Caviar wine pairing.

Pala Vermentino i Fiori from Sardinia with Osetra Caviar

2013 Pala Vermentino i Fiori is DOC wine from Sardegna (Sardinia) and is made from 100% Vermentino grapes. This is a good example of a Vermentino from Sardegna. This wine shows its terroir.

It has a straw gold color with green tints. Salty mineral peachy orange with some mint hover in the glass.

On the palate it is medium bodied with such softness. It feels a little creamy and there is some biting acidity to be found. The finish is slightly flowery with mineral coated peach flavors.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

O My Setra Caviar (Osetra):The flowery citrus peach floats on top of the minerally creaminess of both the wine and the caviar. A great Lady Elena Caviar and wine pairing.

Gentilini Notes White Wine from Greece and Osetra Caviar

2015 Gentilini Notes
Another way to make caviar more budget friendly with a $12 bottle of wine from the Gentilini Winery from Greece.

Gentilini Winery is located on the Kefalonia island in the Ionian Sea in western Greece.
In this part of Greece you think of the Robola grape variety but this wine is a blend of a symphony of notes of Tsaoussi, Muscat of Cephalonia and Sauvignon Blanc.

This wine is aromatic with cantaloupe melon, gooseberry and salty minerals which follows on the palate. The finish has some grapey grassiness with its high level of acidity. Easy drinking and refreshing.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing
O My Setra Caviar (Osetra): The caviar brings together the wines notes of flavors with a highlight of the minerality of the wine and with a clean finish. A great Lady Elena Caviar and wine pairing.

Champagne Malard Brut Speciale Reserve NV and Osetra Caviar

The Malard House is a small champagne house founded in 1996 by Jean Louis Malard. It is located in Aÿ-Champagne, the renowned village of the Grands Crus de Noirs in the Montagne de Reims.  To produce such a quality champagne, the Malard House has been able to secure grapes from Premier Crus and Grand Crus vineyards. It operates vat facilities and cellars which are spread over more than 5,000 meters in Oiry, a Grand Cru village in the famous Côte des Blancs.

Champagne Malard Brut Speciale Reserve NV 

This champagne is a blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay. The base wine is from the 2011 harvest with reserve wines from the 2010, 2011 and 2012 harvests. The champagne has a dosage level of 8 g/l and was disgorged in November 2015.

Champagne Description

The champagne has a pale straw gold color with tiny streaming bubbles. There are flowery aromas of ripe fruit with soft notes of brioche and minerality.

On the palate, it is round and filled with mineral coated ripe fruit. It finishes dry with soft brioche, ripe fruits and an underlying nuttiness.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

With the caviar the fruit notes are highlighted as the champagne cleanses the palate. There is also a slight sweet fruit floralness lingering. A great Lady Elena Caviar champagne pairing.

Champagne Barrat Masson Fleur de Craie NV with Osetra Caviar

Champagne Barrat Masson is a small champagne house whose vineyards are located in Bethon. This is a commune in the Marne department of Champagne in northeastern France.

In 2010 they changed from a grower to a Champagne House with the 2011 harvest being their first harvest for their Champagne Barrat Masson.

We had the privilege to taste along with the owners, wife and husband team of Aurélie  Masson (oenologist) and Loic Barrat (wine maker) their Fleur de Craie NV champagne with Osetra caviar from Lady Elena Caviar.

Fleur de Craie NV Champagne
This is 100% Chardonnay from the 2011 harvest with a dosage of 5 g/l. This is an exciting bottle since this is their first bottling since becoming their own champagne house.

Being 100% Chardonnay this is considered a Blanc de Blancs however they chose not to label it as such. The name translated as "the flower of the chalk" does describe the wines expression. These vines have an average age of 40 years an are planted in clay limestone soil. The champagne is made from the "couer" or the first press. The wine is aged on its lees for about 9 months and goes through partial maloactic fermentation. The wine is aged in the bottle for at least 24 months and at least 3 months after disgorging.
This champagne has  light straw color with those tiny streaming bubbles. On the aroma there is such freshness of nutty citrus with a touch of sweet brioche. On the palate, the minerality pleasantly makes it appearance with the balanced wine. The finish is lively with slight brioche and citrus laced with the minerality of the wine.
 
Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

O My Setra Caviar (Osetra): This is a great pairing. The minerality and the liveliness of the champagne balances the creaminess of the Osetra caviar. The palate is cleansed with some floral orange blossoms lingering.

Champagne Frerejean Freres Premier Cru Brut and White Sturgeon Caviar Pairing

Champagne Frerejean Frères Premier Cru Brut 

and 

White Sturgeon Caviar from Lady Elena Caviar 

Champagne Frerejean Frères is a small Premier Cru Champagne House founded by the Taittinger brothers, Guillaume, Richard and Rodolphe. They produce only Premier Cru champagnes that are made from a single vintage and single crus.

Frerejean Frères Premier Cru, is located 6 miles South of Epernay, straddling the Cote des Blancs and the Village of Grauves with the cellars located in Grauves.

They use the three traditional grapes for champagne. The Chardonnay grapes come from the Premier Cru vineyards of the Cote des Blancs with the Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier also grown in Premier Cru Vineyards with the same soils.

This champagne is a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier and is aged for five years on the lees before disgorgement with a dosage level of 6.5 g/l. Then it ages for another year in the cellar before release. 

Champagne Description

The Frerejean Frères Premier Cru Brut champagne has a golden yellow color with fine streaming bubbles. There are aromas of orange blossoms, ripe peach, pear, brioche and speckles of spice. On the palate there is soft minerally nutty citrus. The finish is layered with minerality, ripe peach, almond and caramel notes that linger. The roundness and complexity of this champagne makes it so enjoyable alone and will pair with so many different foods.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

Americana Caviar (White Sturgeon):The pairing of Frerejean Frères Premier Cru Brut champagne with the White Sturgeon caviar brings out the nuttiness of both the champagne and the caviar and also brings a cleansed palate. A great Lady Elena Caviar pairing.

Mousse Fils Champagne Noire Reserve Brut NV with White Sturgeon Caviar

Mousse Fils Champagne

Background
Champagne Moussé Fils is a grower located in the region of Vallée de la Marne in the village of Cuilses. Here the focus is on Pinot Meunier which comprises 80% of the vines with the balance of 16% Pinot Noir and 4% Chardonnay.  Their four vineyards totaling 5.5 hectares are located in Cuisles, Jonquery, Olizy-Violaine, Châtillon-sur-Marne on a soil of schist subsoil under clay.
     

Cuvée Noire Réserve Blanc de Noirs NV

Description
The wine in this bottle is 50% from 2010 and the rest from the reserve wines of 2009, 2008, 2007 and was disgorged after four years on its lees.
 
Tasting Notes

The wine has a straw gold color with tiny streaming bubbles. There are aromas of sweet, yeasty, minerally citrus, with some sweet berry tones. On the palate there is a creamy mineral softness with the layered flavors. The finish is clean with some floralness. This is so enjoyable with its freshness of the fruit and it creamy softness all through out.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

Americana Caviar (White Sturgeon): This was a delightful pairing. The freshness and creaminess of the champagne with the creamy minerals of the caviar complemented each other. The champagne also left your palate cleansed and refreshed.

Bastianich Adriatico Friulano Paired with Kaluga Caviar

2012 Bastianich Adriatico Friulano

Background

The wine is from the DOC Colli Orientali Del Friuli and is made from 100% Friuliano grape.

The wine has a pale gold color. There are flowery aromas of ripe pears with almonds and a salty
minerality. There is biting acidity on the palate with a full body oily feel. The fruit is also picking up some spicy mint notes. The finish has some white pepper to it and finishes clean.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

The 8th Pearl Caviar (Kaluga Hybrid Sturgeon): As the wine covers over the caviar, the sweetness of the pear softens and there is a lifting up of the mineralness of the caviar for a brief time. A great caviar and champagne pairing.

Bruno Michel Champagne and Kaluga and White Sturgeon Caviar

2002 Bruno Michel Blanc de Blancs Champagne Paired with Kaluga Hybrid Caviar and White Sturgeon Caviar

Background

The champagne is 100% of the Chardonnay grape. The Chardonnay grapes are grown in the Premier Cru Les Brousses vineyard in Pierry. This is a very small village 2km south of Epernay. You will find this name located on the bottom of the foil wrapping on the bottle.

The champagne has a brilliant golden color with tiny streaming bubbles. These tiny bubbles bring an explosion of floralness that surrounds your glass, There are aromas of orange blossoms with some salty minerality and a touch of  brioche sweetness. On the palate you sense the slight oxidation with the citrus, toasted brioche and soft caramel. The finish is long with citrus, caramel, mineral notes and an acidity level that keeps it balanced.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

The 8th Pearl Caviar (Kaluga Hybrid Sturgeon): The caviar neutralizes the fruit of the champagne but there is lingering soft caramel in the background with some chalk notes in this clean finish.. A great caviar and champagne pairing.

Americana Caviar (White Sturgeon): The caviar brings out the citrus and brioche of the champagne and blends in the nuttiness of the caviar. A great caviar and champagne pairing.

1998 La Grande Dame Champagne Paired With White Sturgeon Caviar

Background 

This champagne is a blend of 64% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay.

The champagne has a golden color. The champagne is bursting at first with tiny streaming bubbles and then they slowly become streaming microscopic bubbles.There is nice blend of toffee and citrus aromas with a mineral softness. On the palate there is some wood cellar mixed with toasted yeast, toffee and lemon citrus. The finish has a slight coconut sweetness with orange toffee and some spiciness.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing

Americana Caviar (White Sturgeon):The caviar subdues the toffee and citrus and then leaves a
cleansed palate. A great Lady Elena Caviar and champagne pairing.