North Berkeley Imports
Wine Tasting
Friday, November 10th
Luxiurious Wines from Champagne, Provence, Rhone Valley, Tuscany and more!
Tasting 4pm-6pm
Since its founding in 1979, North Berkeley has sourced authentic, expressive wines from France and Italy, dedicated to providing the finest wine selections the world over.
North Berkeley Imports Wine Tasting
Le Petit Bijou
Friday, November 10th
4pm - 6pm, $20
With Special Guest, Charles Gibbs of Pinnacle Imports
256-9647980 to Reserve
NV Francis Orban Champagne Extra Brut, Champagne, France $60.99
Located in the heart of the Marne Valley, the domaine focuses on Pinot Meunier which comprises 90% of its vineyard holdings—ideal considering that the sandy, clay-rich soils of the region suit the grape very well. Often considered merely a blending grape in other regions of Champagne, Pinot Meunier has pride of place in the Marne Valley and can offer wines of impressive depth, character and finesse.
This 100% Pinot Meunier Extra Brut is a stunning example of the lesser-known Champagne varietal. The grapes were hand-harvested and directly pressed. The must was fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks. Blended with 50% reserve wine, it was aged for three years in bottle with a dosage of 3g/L.
This Champagne has a pale rose, gold hue and persistent perlage. The nose shows inviting aromas of red apple and lemon. The palate shows flavors of ripe apple, lemon flesh, apricot pit and a hint of brioche. Fresh, crisp and lively, with mouthwatering acidity and remarkable texture all the way through.
2020 Molinetto Gavi, Piedmont, Italy $21.99
Gavi is one of those classic Italian white wines that always delivers but this one by Molinetto goes the extra step and is precise on the palate. Beautiful lime citrus and a clean mineral drive that makes this a joy to drink. Estate fruit is hand harvested, fermented in stainless steel using wild yeasts and left to age shortly on the lees for extra depth.
2022 Domaine Les Chezeaux Menetou Salon, Loire Valley, France $28.99
While the Sauvignon Blanc’s of Menetou-Salon don’t hold as much star power as Sancerre, its unique terroir produces some amazing expressions as shown in Domaine Chavet et Fil’s 2022 cuvee. Aromas or Nasturtium, gooseberry, grass, and white peach hover above an elusive note of flint. On the palate balanced acidity dances towards a preferable lift leading to a dry and slightly refreshing finish. Try with an almond crusted trout, or a variety of full bloom rind goat cheeses.
2020 Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy $33.99
ut sulfur, with a light sulphiting at bottling. A beautiful color, filled with bright apricot and the velvet essence of grape skin and soil. A wonderful aperitif or light food companion.
The Ricasoli family has been in this exalted corner of Chianti since the 7th century when the family founder established a castle - Rocca di Montegrossi. They became winemakers when in 1141 the Castello di Brolio along with its cellars and vineyards fell into the family's hands. They are credited with developing the “recipe” of what we know as modern day Chianti towards the end of the 19th century. Ever since then, Rocca di Montegrossi has produced benchmark Chianti’s and currently under the helm of Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi, there is consensus that the estate is producing perhaps their best wines ever.
2018 Mas de Gourgonnier Cuvee Elaboree Sans Soufre, Provence, Fance $33.99
BLEND: Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Carignan
TASTING IMPRESSIONS: Aromas of lavender and sage, light peppery spice. Flavors of black cherries, plums, baking spices
A wonderfully textured and fresh red blend, crafted with the same grapes the estate uses for its straight Les Baux rouge but with no added sulfur at any point in the winemaking process.
2020 Le Clos du Caillou Vielles Vignes Cotes-du-Rhone, Rhone Valley, France $32.99
75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Carignan, 5% Mourvèdre
At exclusive with importer North Berkeley. With the help of winemaker Bruno Gaspard, we select the finest lots of older-vine wines from the estate's cold underground cellars for this special blend. Spicy, sultry and even age-worthy; always too easy to enjoy. Aromas of garrigue (wild thyme, lavender and rosemary). Flavors of raspberry and black cherry.
Wines from Le Clos du Caillou are Rhône blends at their most intense. Concentrated and richly textured, these organically raised wines capture the spice of older-vine Grenache as grown on the region’s finest terroirs. The estate in Courthézon, in the northeastern part of the Châteauneuf-duPape appellation, boasts a mix of terroirs with a predominance of sand, which gives Caillou wines their silky elegance and fine-grained texture. The estate has been practicing biodynamic viticulture since 2003, and was certified organic in 2010.