In honor of the 40th Anniversary of the ‘Judgement of Paris’
St. Helena, CA (May 16, 2016) – On Sunday, May 15th, 2016, Raymond Vineyards held an exclusive, by-invitation-only event called the ‘Judgement of Napa’ for members of the media, trade and key influencers within Napa Valley to launch Steven Spurrier’s Bride Valley English Sparkling Wine to the US. The event also celebrated and honored the history and legacy of the ‘Judgement of Paris’ and Spurrier’s contribution to the historical event, which launched Napa Valley wines onto the world stage and influenced how we think of Napa Valley wines today. Spurrier flew in from England for the event and was alongside Raymond Proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset to host the blind tasting, which matched Spurrier’s Bride Valley English Sparkling Blanc de Blancs 2013 in a friendly competition against Boisset’s JCB No. 9 Russian River Valley Brut Blanc de Blancs 2009. Guests were invited to vote for their favorite and the winning wine was the JCB No. 9 Russian River Valley Brut Blanc de Blancs. Once again, California captured the voter’s hearts as the favorite, and it was a fitting tribute paying homage to the original event which took place on May 24th, 1976.
This was the first time that anyone could taste and purchase the Bride Valley English Sparkling Blanc de Blancs 2013 in the U.S. and special commemorative gift sets were available to those who attended. Each gift set included one bottle of each of the blind tasting wines along with a copy of George M. Taber’s book, Judgment of Paris, and sold for $150 each and also included the option for personalization. Many guests had the pleasure of receiving autographed books and bottles by Spurrier and Boisset while at the event. Additionally, guests were treated to a flight of rosés following the blind tasting which included Spurrier’s Bride Valley Rosé Bella 2013 (of which only six bottles made it into the country, because of its limited availability and quantity produced in 2013) and Boisset’s JCB No. 13 2009 Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé and JCB 2009 No. 34 California Brut Rosé.
Speaking of the collaboration between Boisset Collection and Bride Valley, Boisset says, “Our dear friend Steven and his family had an endearing vision of producing sparkling wine on par with the world’s best in the chalky soils of England… At the time of his original vision as early as 2007, he recognized England’s potential for sparkling wine before the world had fully realized its potential. We encouraged him always, and are honored and inspired to be his partner in importing Bride Valley to America… whether France, California or England, we are one world of wine!”
Spurrier went on to add, “After 50 years in wine – and inspired by the unique chalky soils on my wife’s Dorset sheep farm – we decided to join the English sparkling wine revolution. In 2008, Bella and I went to select the finest Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier root stocks from Burgundy’s famous Pépinières Guillaume vine nursery. In 2011, our very first harvest was picked, selling out on release in 2014. Now we have over 24 acres under cultivation, making three delicious wines, on the chalky south facing slopes above the beautiful Dorset village of Litton Cheney.”
Boisset Collection is the exclusive importer of Bride Valley English Sparkling wines and will officially launch the brand to the U.S. market in January 2017. The Bride Valley Blanc de Blancs 2013 is selling for $75 and is currently only available in very limited supply at the Raymond Vineyards tasting room.
Spurrier’s Bride Valley vineyard consists of 42,000 vines planted on over 24 acres, with 55% planted to Chardonnay, 25% to Pinot Noir, and 20% to Pinot Meunier. The vines are close-planted on mostly south facing slops in the bowl of their 200 acre farm on South Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, near to Kimmeridge, the name of Champagne’s own chalk-based soils. The 2013 Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine was fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and underwent malolactic fermentation to give it roundness and balance. A crystal clear Blanc de Blancs that shows the chalky soil and freshness from a light vintage, and very young vines. The palate is fruity with hints of brioche, a lean citrus edge on the palate with fine mousse and racy acidity.
For for more information regarding Bride Valley English Sparkling, please visit www.bridevalleyvineyard.com and www.boissetcollection.com.
About Bride Valley
After fifty years in the wine trade, Steven Spurrier, inspired by the unique chalky soils on his wife Bella’s Dorset sheep farm, decided to join the English sparkling wine revolution. In 2008, they selected the finest Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier root stocks from Burgundy’s famous Pepinieres Guillaume vine nursery. 13 different clones were meticulously chosen to match each individual plot. Now they have over 24 acres under cultivation, making 3 delicious wines, on the chalky south facing slopes above the beautiful Dorset village of Litton Cheney. 42,000 vines are close-planted on mostly south facing slopes in the bowl of their 200 acre farm on South Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, near to Kimmeridge. For more information, please visit: www.bridevalleyvineyard.com.
About Raymond Vineyards
Raymond Vineyards, founded in 1970, comprises more than 330 acres in Rutherford, St. Helena and Jameson Canyon. Five generations of the Raymond family created a Napa icon, with an enduring reputation for elegant wines with a beautiful balance of finesse, power and complexity. Today, guided by the vision of Proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker Stephanie Putnam, and Winegrower Eric Pooler, Raymond Vineyards is one of the wine world’s most dynamic winery destinations. Blending phenomenal wines with guest experiences that unite education, passion and entertainment, the winery offers diverse opportunities to explore wine, leading it to be named Sunset’s “Best Tasting Room – Experience Beyond Tasting” in 2011, 2012 American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast, and one of Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2013 for the 95-point rated 2010 Generations Cabernet Sauvignon. Raymond’s estate vineyards are certified organic and Biodynamic, the Napa Green certified winery generates 100% of its energy needs from on-site solar panels, and is additionally certified sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. To learn more, please visit: www.raymondvineyards.com.
About JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset
Created by Jean-Charles Boisset, JCB embraces and represents a new height of luxury, uniting the worlds of wine and fashion in luxurious tasting locations and experiences that transcend terroir, reaching beyond the traditional confines of wine to embody style and sophistication. JCB is also a collection of rare numbered wines that unite centuries of Burgundian family tradition with the graceful exploration of sophisticated terroir. Dedicated to capturing style within a bottle, JCB wines embody an uncompromising personality that transcends the traditional confines of wine and is audacious, unique and mysterious. St. Helena ∙ Russian River Valley ∙ San Francisco ∙ Yountville For more information, please visit www.jcbcollection.com.
About Boisset Collection
Created by Jean-Charles Boisset, JCB embraces and represents a new height of luxury, uniting the worlds of wine and fashion in luxurious tasting locations and experiences that transcend terroir, reaching beyond the traditional confines of wine to embody style and sophistication. JCB is also a collection of rare numbered wines that unite centuries of Burgundian family tradition with the graceful exploration of sophisticated terroir. Dedicated to capturing style within a bottle, JCB wines embody an uncompromising personality that transcends the traditional confines of wine and is audacious, unique and mysterious. St. Helena ∙ Russian River Valley ∙ San Francisco ∙ Yountville For more information, please visit: www.boissetcollection.com.
