Embark on a captivating journey through some of France's most illustrious wine-producing regions with an eight-day cruise along the Rhône River, aboard the luxurious Scenic Sapphire. This wine-centric voyage offers a fusion of breathtaking landscapes, exquisite dining experiences, and the chance to explore historic villages, making it a prime adventure for wine enthusiasts and travelers alike.

Sailing from Lyon to Arles, the Scenic Sapphire offers a personalized and intimate experience for its 147 passengers across 74 sophisticated suites. Onboard amenities include complimentary e-bikes for adventurous shore excursions, a gym for fitness enthusiasts, and a unique Salt Therapy Lounge, providing a tranquil retreat with its climate-controlled settings and therapeutic salt brick walls.

Indulge in an array of dining pleasures aboard the Scenic Sapphire. The main Crystal Dining restaurant tantalizes guests with nightly French classics, while the River Café provides lighter, all-day dining options. For a more exclusive taste, L’Amour presents an intimate five-course experience highlighting regional specialties. Guests in Royal or Junior suites can savor a six-course degustation at Table La Rive, each dish a chef's signature creation, meticulously paired with special wines. A standout dish is the octopus carpaccio, beautifully complemented by an Austrian Grüner Veltliner.

The journey includes a visit to the Château de Pravins in Beaujolais, famed for its biodynamic wine production practices rooted in the 13th century. Engage in a comprehensive tour of its vineyards and cellars and enjoy the unique flavors that contrast the common perceptions of Beaujolais Nouveau.

Passengers can partake in organized excursions to picturesque medieval villages along the Rhône. Pérouges, a 12th-century hilltop village, captivates with its charming cobbled streets and Renaissance architecture, offering local gastronomic specialties like the galette de Pérouges paired with Cerdon, the local sparkling rosé.

In the awe-inspiring city of Avignon, visitors immerse in the rich history of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Explore the Maison Bouachon for a tutored wine tasting and traverse the village, ending with a visit to the evocative ruins of the 14th-century castle, a landmark of viniculture history.

The cruise concludes in the historic city of Arles, located in proximity to the Rhône River Delta and the renowned Camargue. This final stop embodies the culmination of a tantalizing voyage through Southern France’s culinary and wine landscapes.

Experience the wonder of this wine and food-themed adventure on the Rhône River. Ideal for wine enthusiasts and culinary aficionados alike, it presents a unique journey through France’s iconic regions.

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Discover the Rhône River: A Scenic Wine and Culinary Journey

The Balkans is a hidden gem in the world of winemaking, offering a blend of tradition and innovation across countries like Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia. This blog dives into the unique wine cultures of these nations, their grape varieties, and developments that signify a promising future for Balkan wines.

Albania: Blending Tradition with Modernity

Albania, often referred to as the Balkans' rough yet stunning diamond, is carving out its space in the wine industry. With approximately 8,000 hectares of vineyards, Albania produces almost 3 million liters of wine annually, of which 65% is bottled. Currently, about 20% of this wine finds its way to international markets, a number that is expected to grow as more wineries emerge and shift their focus from traditional raki to wine production.

The influence of Italian winemaking expertise has played a significant role in modernizing Albania's wine scene. Many Albanian winemakers have trained in Italy, and Italian consultants now guide some of the country's vineyards and cellars. Despite modernization, Albanian wineries continue to uphold their traditions. This is evident in the production of unique wines from ancient Pulës and Ceruja vines, which climb oak and mulberry trees for a distinctive winemaking process.

North Macedonia: Export-Driven Excellence

North Macedonia stands out in the Balkans for its impressive wine export figures, with nearly 85% of its annual production sent abroad, reaching markets in the UK, USA, and various European countries. The central Povardarie region, the heart of North Macedonia's wine production, has transitioned from being a bulk producer to a source of high-quality wines. Here, oak-aged Vranec wines, both varietal and blended with Kratošija or Cabernet Sauvignon, are celebrated for their robust flavors.

The country is also proactively addressing climate change. The recent dry summers with soaring temperatures have led to reduced harvests, prompting investments in irrigation systems and cooler, higher-elevation vineyards. This shift has brought attention to the hilly western Pelagonia-Polog region around Lake Ohrid, where old vineyards rise above 700 meters, contributing to the diversity and quality of the wine produced.

Serbia: A Hub of Creativity and Diversity

Serbia's wine industry is as dynamic as the country itself, characterized by creativity and diversity. While the red Prokupac grape garners much attention for its elegant, medium-bodied profile, it represents only a fraction of Serbia's nearly 22,000 hectares of vineyards, primarily located in the Župa district of Tri Morave. Serbia produces between 25 to 30 million liters of wine annually, with white wines making up nearly 60% of this total. The Grašac grape is particularly prevalent, showcasing a range of styles from youthful, steel-aged wines to oaked, age-worthy versions.

The mountainous Srem region in northern Serbia is a testament to the country's versatility, offering everything from traditional wines to experimental, minimal-intervention wines and pét-nats. The increasing interest in organic and natural winemaking, as well as skin-contact wines, highlights the innovative spirit of Serbian winemakers.

The Balkan region is steadily gaining recognition for its unique winemaking traditions and innovative approaches. Whether it's Albania's captivating blend of old and new, North Macedonia's export-driven quality, or Serbia's creative diversity, the Balkans offer a rich tapestry of wine experiences. For those interested in discovering and storing wines with assured provenance, visit Quincy and start a journey into the fascinating world of Balkan wines.

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A Glimpse into the Emerging Balkan Winemaking Sector

The world of wine is being shaped by new-generation winemakers who push the boundaries of traditional viticulture. Among them is Sebastian Zuccardi, an influential figure in Mendoza, Argentina. Raised in a pioneering wine family, Sebastian builds on the legacy of his grandfather, Alberto, and father, José Alberto, while bringing innovative techniques to the forefront. Specializing in the Uco Valley’s terroir, Sebastian's work focuses on producing premium, site-specific wines that capture the essence of place. This article delves into Sebastian's insights about the Uco Valley's unique conditions, his contemporary winemaking approaches, and the future of Argentine wine.

Exploring the Diverse Terroirs of the Uco Valley

The Uco Valley stands out for its unique relationship with the Andes mountains, which create varied microclimates and soil types. Sebastian Zuccardi emphasizes that the region's altitude differences have a significant impact on local viticulture.

"The Uco Valley is a very unique place because of the relationship with the Andes mountains. The mountains create identity through the climate conditions, the landscape, the water, and the soils,” explains Zuccardi. Indeed, vineyards closer to the mountains experience cooler temperatures, influencing the overall character of the wines.

Sebastian’s deep study over the past 15 years highlights that the Uco Valley is more about regionality than grape variety. By focusing on the specific characteristics of places like Altamira and San Pablo, Zuccardi underscores the unique identity of each vineyard site rather than merely presenting Malbec as a single, uniform product.

As interest in wines with finesse and elegance grows, vineyards in cooler regions like San Pablo gain prominence. These cooler climates result in wines with lower alcohol content and a more balanced profile.

"In San Pablo, the altitude and proximity to the mountains make it one of the coldest areas in the valley,” says Zuccardi. This shift is part of a broader trend where winemakers look to higher altitudes to achieve greater elegance in their wines. One challenge of high-altitude viticulture is frost, but with careful site selection, vineyards at higher elevations can thrive.

Sebastian's winery has even begun experiments at altitudes as high as 1,700 meters, which would have seemed implausible a decade ago. This signifies a forward-thinking approach to crafting cooler, more refined wines that resonate with contemporary wine enthusiasts.

Concrete vats are integral to the winemaking process at Zuccardi’s Piedra Infinita winery in Altamira. Sebastian has over 170 concrete vats, focusing on purity and the true expression of Malbec.

"Concrete isn’t new in Mendoza; the old wines used concrete. It’s back to the future, and our goal is to use techniques geared toward the future,” Zuccardi remarks. Concrete vats avoid imparting any additional flavors to the wine, ensuring the authentic essence of the terroir shines through.

Concreto, one of Zuccardi’s noteworthy wines, showcases this commitment. Made from the stoniest, calcareous soils and fermented with whole bunches, it exemplifies the potential of concrete vats to produce wines with exceptional texture and character.

Climate change poses new challenges for winemakers in the Uco Valley, especially concerning water availability. Although rising temperatures are less of an issue due to the valley’s proximity to the Andes, decreased water and snow levels pose significant risks.

"Every time you go up in altitude, you are moving to cooler weather, and in cooler weather, you need less water," Zuccardi notes. Efficient water management techniques such as drip irrigation and the use of drought-resistant rootstocks are critical adaptations the winery has made to mitigate these challenges.

While Malbec remains the cornerstone of Argentine viticulture, the potential for other grape varieties and sparkling wines in the Uco Valley is being explored.

Argentina’s sparkling wine scene is gaining momentum, with projects like Zuccardi’s blanc de blancs reflecting the region’s capacity for producing high-quality bubbly. Cooler conditions and higher acidity levels found closer to the Andes make for excellent sparkling wines. Wine enthusiasts will find that chardonnay and semillon are burgeoning in these areas, each bringing a fresh dimension to Uco Valley’s diverse wine portfolio.

Argentina boasts a rich winemaking tradition, and families like the Zuccardis are propelling this heritage forward. The Uco Valley’s diverse terroirs, innovative winemaking techniques, and adaptive strategies in the face of climate change speak to a dynamic and resilient wine industry. Whether passionate about Malbec or curious about the region’s potential for sparkling wines and varietals like Chardonnay, this evolution is one to watch.

For those eager to delve into this exciting journey, consider exploring the selections and innovations that the Uco Valley has to offer. 

 to start your exciting wine discovery journey.

Elevating Malbec: The Zuccardi Legacy in Argentina’s Uco Valley

In a remarkable event illustrating the fervor for fine wine, a Sotheby's auction in Beaune, France, dedicated exclusively to Burgundy wines from Taiwanese entrepreneur Pierre Chen's legendary cellar, shattered previous records and set new benchmarks in the wine investment world

Hosted at the historic Couvent des Cordeliers, the auction drew bidders from 29 countries, both in-person and online. The spotlight was on the exceptional lots and their astonishing final prices.

Chevalier Montrachet d’Auvenay 2009: Six bottles fetched a staggering €106,250, emphasizing the wine's elite status.

Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Bèze 1990: Twelve bottles sold for €100,000, exceeding expectations by a notable 67%.

La Tâche 1990: Originally estimated at €30,000 to €40,000, twelve bottles soared to €81,250.

The auction didn't just meet expectations; it exceeded them, setting eight new world records:

2005 DRC Échezeaux: Three bottles achieved €10,000 per bottle, doubling the previous record.

2007 DRC Montrachet: Sold for over €15,800 per bottle, a 50% increase over the prior maximum.

2005 DRC La Tâche (Magnum): Reached €35,000, setting a new high.

2014 DRC La Tâche: Three bottles went for over €9,100 each.

1990 Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Bèze: Twelve bottles sold at €8,300 each.

2009 Rousseau Chambertin: Twelve bottles fetched more than €5,700 each.

2010 Rousseau Gevrey Chambertin Clos St Jacques: Six bottles garnered €3,900 per bottle.

2011 Domaine Leroy Chambertin: Three bottles reached over €16,600 each.

Sotheby’s described Chen's collection as the most significant ever to hit the market, composed of approximately 25,000 wines acquired over 40 years. The collection’s value and scale are unparalleled, with highlights such as:

Two six-litre methuselahs of DRC La Tâche 1985.

The epic sale, known as The Epicurean’s Atlas, spans multiple auction events in Hong Kong, Beaune, and New York. On 20 June, Chen’s collection of fine and rare Champagne achieved €1.35 million in Paris. Notable sales included:

Three magnums of Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 1990 sold for €25,000.

A single magnum of Dom Pérignon P3 1966 fetched €23,750, more than doubling the previous record.

The exceptional interest and competitive bidding at this auction reflect the global demand for high-quality and rare wines. As the head of Sotheby’s wine division in Asia, George Lacey, expressed, this event highlighted the unparalleled quality of Pierre Chen’s wines, attracting savvy collectors worldwide. Sotheby’s anticipates reaching a record-breaking $50 million from these auctions, underscoring the collection’s monumental value.

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Legendary Burgundy Wine Auction Sets Eight World Records

Arlanza's high mountainous slopes, ancient vines, and cool temperatures are creating a buzz in the wine world, even challenging its notable neighbor, Ribera del Duero. One of the prominent vineyards in Arlanza features 80- to 100-year-old vines, with their exceptional grapes vinified by the talented Andrés Septien.

In addition to its superb wines, Arlanza is rich in cultural heritage. This region was home to the renowned Spanish poet and playwright José Zorrilla (1817–1893). Although born in Valladolid, Zorrilla spent much of his youth in Lerma due to his maternal family's roots in this Burgalese town. His profound connection to Lerma is commemorated with various tributes, including a sculpture of him seated in front of the gardens of the Collegiate Church.

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Legendary Burgundy Wine Auction Sets Eight World Records

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