Ted Lemon of Littorai Wines - winemaker of the year

The simple version of Ted Lemon's story: Young American goes to Burgundy. Becomes first American to run a Burgundian wine estate. Comes back and stays true to Pinot's motherland.
That would be the easy version, but it misses a crucial fact. For a quarter-century, Lemon has been hunting along the remote California coast, seeking places that speak absolutely of their roots and making wines that purely reflect a California sense of place.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/24/FD6U1GUFAJ.DTL#ixzz19GSYg5i1

Littorai wines are among the purest, most long-lasting expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the New World. They have earned Lemon a reputation not as a Burgundian interpreter of California, but as a true American master. It is why Ted Lemon is The Chronicle's Winemaker of the Year.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/24/FD6U1GUFAJ.DTL#ixzz19GSTVbAG

Ted Lemon of Littorai Wines - winemaker of the year

10 Champagnes Worth Seeking Out - NYTimes.com

10 Champagnes Worth Seeking Out - NYTimes.com: "I have many favorite grower producers, but I thought I would single out 10 whose Champagnes are consistently worth seeking out and for the most part should not be too difficult to find.

1. Cedric Bouchard – Unusual and almost Burgundian pinot-noir dominated cuvees have gained a cult following.

2. Ulysse Collin – Blanc de blancs with razor-sharp focus.

3. Roger Coulon – Wines with great finesse. All but the top cuvee are made with a high percentage of pinot meunier.

4. Jose Dhondt – Superb dry, minerally blanc de blancs.

5. Egly-Ouriet – Excellent Champagnes, dominated by pinot noir or pinot meunier.

6. Pierre Gimonnet – Crisp, precise blanc de blancs.

7. Godme Pere & Fils — Excellent blanc de noirs.

8. Larmandier-Bernier – Superb Champagnes from the Cote des blancs. I especially like the pure, terroir-specific Terre de Vertus.

9. Pierre Moncuit – Very fine, focused blanc de blancs.

10. Camille Saves – Lively Champagnes from Bouzy. The Carte Blanche brut is a great value."