VIRTUAL CONCERT #10
"Bon Voyage en France"
compiled by Constellations Family
In Partnership with Kogod Liquors
10% of "Bon Voyage" wine package purchases will go to benefit Constellations!
Box Price: $103.99 (+Tax)
S'il est un charmant gazon: Gaspard Sauvignon Blanc
When I had the pleasure of tasting Gaspard Sauvignon Blanc over the Fourth of July weekend, the Liszt-Hugo Song “S’il est Charmant Gazon” leapt to my mind. The original poem by Victor Hugo mentions "lily, honeysuckle, jasmine,” “flower blossoms” and “sweet thing.” These would be the exact words I would use in my tasting notes from Gaspard Sauvignon Blanc. Gaspard is made from Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, a region also famous for its Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc. However, the use of native yeasts and the aging on fine lees give this wine unusually floral and tropical fruit notes, along with a long finish. I dare you to continue tasting the wine throughout the song, after just one sip. (valued at $19)
Comment disaient-ils: Chartogne Taillet St Anne Cuvee Champagne
The short staccato notes of the piano left hand remind me of Champagne bubbles. They are not only refreshing, but also relentless in their “effort” to freshen up your palate and rise to the top of the glass. Champagne came to mind when I was asked to pair a wine with the song "Comment disaient-ils." I feel strongly that Champagne has to be one of the “artful potions” mentioned in the text by Hugo. Another cool thing about this champagne is that the family of Chartogne-Taillet has farmed their vineyards since the 1700s—they have journals that date back to prove it—which means Liszt and Hugo could have drunk champagnes made from this very family’s vineyards. FYI the Liszt-Hugo songs were written in 1842 (first version) and revised 15 years later, in 1857.
(valued at $50)
Enfant, si j'étais roi: Chateau de Rouanne "Vinsobres"
For the song “Enfant, si j’etais roi Enfant,” Chateau de Rouanne “Vinsobres” would be the perfect pairing. In this piece, I heard very thick piano left hand textures, which reminded me of red wine from the famed estate of St. Cosme of Southern Rhone. This wine, made from organically farmed grapes consisting of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% mourvedre, will leave you with an impression of ripe raspberry, licorice and violet, along with black pepper. Like the song, which is all about feeling luxurious (“as if I were the king"), this is wine worthy of an emperor. Old vines planted in the 1960s create an incredibly concentrated wine that could emerge out of even the thickest keyboard textures written by Liszt, the king of the piano. (valued at $25)
Franck Sonata in A major: Secateurs Rosé
Franck’s Sonata in A major is one of the most versatile sonatas ever composed. Originally written for violin and piano, it is performed all over the world as the sonata of choice for cellists, violists, woodwind players and even some brave brass players. The most versatile wine I know is Secateurs Rosé, from Swartland, South Africa. So what’s the “French connection” here? The grapes that make up the wine are 90% Cinsault and 10% Syrah, both grapes of French origin. Additionally, the harmony of “melodic” fruit notes of red cherry, strawberry and grapefruit with “supportive” minerality is reminiscent of the interplay between the melody of the cello and supporting chords of the piano in the opening section of the Franck’s first movement. But don’t be fooled: just as the piano becomes the main attraction throughout the sonata, Secateurs’ minerality will also pop up as the main attraction when you least expect it. (valued at $10)
Pairings chosen by Jennifer Kim
Wine Buyer and NSO violinist Jennifer Kim grew up at Kogod Liquors helping her parents run the store since 1997, whenever she was not busy practicing the violin. As she traveled the world as a violinist, she discovered the irresistible world of wine. Her passion for wine has led her to earning the title of Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) from the Society of Wine Educators (US) and Level 3 certification from Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET). She looks forward to finishing her Level 4 Diploma from WSET, despite added responsibilities on her shoulder as a mom of two beautiful daughters. She believes that wine is an agricultural product that should have a strong connection to the land that produced it. While every wine deserves her attention, she is crazy about wines farmed and made with integrity from honest and hard working producers.