Nestled in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, L’Auberge Provençale Inn and Restaurant is renowned for its exquisite dining experiences and luxurious accommodations. We are excited to share an exclusive Q&A with our esteemed Sommelier, Christian Borel, following his recent journey to the picturesque vineyards of Italy. Join us as Christian delves into the highlights of his trip, sharing insights on the latest wine trends and wine tasting advice. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or an enthusiastic novice, this conversation promises to enrich your appreciation for fine wine and culinary excellence.
Where were you exactly in Italy for the Wine Tour?
We landed in Rome and drove up to the landlocked state of Umbria, which I will say is way undersold and was stunning, and like many other places around the world, the people in the countryside were incredibly nice and felt very welcomed and at home there.
Who invited you to go?
I was invited by Wilson Daniels, a wine importer and distributor of very fine wine. They are best known for being the sole importers of very exclusive wines including Domaine de la Romanee Conti and Gaja.
Which wineries did you get to see?
In Montefalco we saw Arnaldo Caprai, in Montalcino we saw Biondi Santi, and Val di Suga. In Chianti Classico we visited Volpaia, and then visited their sister property called Castelprile by the sea. We finished up near the village of Monteverdi near the sea to a vineyard called Tenuta Sette Cieli.
What were the wines and grapes involved?
Umbrian rich red wines made from the Sagrantino Grape around Montefalco. Chianti, of course the famous Sangiovese Grape. In Montalcino we tried many wines made from Sangiovese. Although, the exact clone of these grapes differ slightly than the ones from Chianti Classico. The other wines we had near the sea were of course the very refreshing Vermentino and Sauvignon Blanc and chardonnay. The Wines of Tenuta Sette Cieli focused on the Super Tuscan Red Blends made from Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot grown from 17 acres of high elevation vineyards.
Which wines were your favorite with foods?
I must say, this is going to sound like a cop-out answer, but all the food from each region went perfect with the wines we had from that region, for example, in Umbria, there is not a lot of light, seafood focused dishes as they are land locked and historically do not get fresh seafood very often, except for the occasional salted fish dish, so this made the deep, dark wines of that region just sing with the heavy, roasted meat courses and pasta with truffle.
Which wines were your all around favorites?
All the wines were delicious, however my biggest surprise would be the wines from Volpaia in Chianti Classico, we tried a few wines dating back around 30-plus years of bottle age and they were just beautiful, which is not what I expected for a relatively lighter bodied wine region. A close second would be the wines from Tenuta Sette Cieli, some of the super Tuscan blends of cabernet franc felt a step above most winemaking and felt internationally premium and top notch. Although I must say the prices reflect that!
Which region did you love the best? And why?
Visually and welcoming I would say that Umbria, especially Montefalco, and Montalcino were my favorite. The food, the people, the pace of life, was something I just want more of now. The land there is so beautiful, the language pretty, the roads rough, the towns tidy, the history tangible. I found some lovely apartments there for about 50,000 euros. Anyone want to go in and split a vacation home?
Anything unusual or unique you tried?
I would say the most amazing aspect of the food was the flavor was vast with only simple and few ingredients. Whole, real, handmade foods have no equal. Not to mention that the technique of how everything was made has been perfected by man in each region for generations, and that should not be discounted.
Christian Borel’s passion for wine extends beyond his travels and enriches every dining experience at L’Auberge Provençale. Our extensive selection of wines, thoughtfully curated wine dinners, and perfect pairings elevate our guests’ culinary journeys. We invite you to visit L’Auberge Provençale Inn and Restaurant to savor these exceptional wines and indulge in our exquisite cuisine. Whether you’re joining us for a special event or a romantic dinner, each visit promises an unforgettable experience. Discover more and make your reservation today.
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