AOC Fine Wines News and Events

French Culture Nights Unveils New York Sings In French

@AOC Fine Wines — 2010-09-04 14:41:08

New York has Francophone Talents French Culture Nights is proud to unveil New York Sings In French the first annual French Music Talent Contest at Touch 240 W 52nd Street on Sept 22 This contest will showcase up-and-coming Francophone singers living in New York A panel of three judges along with attendees will select the winner The prize is a sculpture specially designed by Francophone artist Pierre-Henry Guerard a gifted sculptor who was featured at our May 2010 event More than 500 people are expected to celebrate French music and its ambassadors new Francophone talents FEATURED FINALISTS - Floanne Ankah�Floannelsquos vocal repertoire includes French classics opera arias and her own songs For more information please visitwwwNewYorkSingsInFrenchcom - Eleanor Dubinsky�Born in the US Eleanor sings sincere heartfelt melodies in French Spanish and English and uses her music to express her passion for a diversity of people and cultures For more information please visit�wwwNewYorkSingsInFrenchcom - Rose Noel�Born in Haiti Rose Laure Noel is a singer lyricist and a career woman At the age of fifteen Rose began singing in her church choir and started a six-female ensemble For more information please visit�wwwNewYorkSingsInFrenchcom JUDGES PANEL - Singer Michael Harley�-�wwwMichaelHarleyMediacom - Singer Jessica Medina�-�wwwJessicaMedinanet�featured at our May 2010 event - Singer Pascalito�-�wwwPascalitocom�featured at our January 2010 event Music by Haitian�DJ Sabine EVENT DETAILS The ticket is $10 $085 processing fee if purchased online before September 15with CODE ldquoAOC FINE WINESrdquo After that $15 until September 22 4pm $20 at the door The entrance fee includes a Moroccan Buffet from Zerza Restaurant and desserts from Mad Mac NYC Apero Happy Hour from 630pm to 730pm is sponsored by Ricard and a great selection of wines will be offered by AOC Fine Wines during the evening SPONSORS New York Sings In French is sponsored by French Music Export Ruth C Schwartz amp Co PR Ricard AOC Fine Wines French Morning New York in French The French Culture Guide to New York The French Pass and Action Against Hunger Moroccan Restaurant Zerza is sponsoring the buffet Mad-Mac is bringing French macaroons ...

French Culture Night - Cruise Night

@AOC Fine Wines — 2010-08-09 11:53:47

French Culture Nights Takes You on a Cruise to Enjoy the Manhattan Skyline Sip wine and nibble on hors doeuvres on the deck of Jewel a 120-foot two-deck yachtwhile enjoying the Manhattan Skyline and the Statue of Liberty Indulge in an onboard French buffet and never forget a unique evening of Music with a two-hour sunset cruise on the East river Wednesday August 25 Each monthly event features a mix of visual and performance arts in a casual but elegant setting A pleasing variety of talented artists and performers will make this evening an enjoyable opportunity for French-speakers of all backgrounds to mingle enjoy the arts and have fun FEATURED PERFORMERS Sculpture exhibit by Fanny Allie Music by DJ Madi from Burkina Faso Ambiance music by drummer-percussionist Manu Leger For more information and to register visit our website FrenchCultureNightscom EVENT DETAILS The ticket entrance is $20 if purchased online before August 17 with CODE AOC FINE WINES Ather that $25 until August 25 4pm $30 at the door The entrance fee includes a two-hour sunset cruise and a French buffet sponsored by the Forgeois Groups five restaurants Arrive on time for check-in with your ID between 630pm and 745pm The yacht will leave at 8pm returning at 10pm and the party ends at midnight Apero Happy Hour from 630pm to 745pm is sponsored by Ricard and a great selection of wines will be offered by AOC Fine Winesduring the cruise CASH ONLY To join us take the 6 train to 23rd Street and walk a couple of blocks East to 23rd Street FDR Drive French buffet and a selection of Hors dOeuvres Hors dOeuvres tomato mozzarella on skewer quiches goat cheese and onion tarts cheese puffs pig in a blanket French Buffet assortment of mini sandwiches and cold salads Desserts fruit salad and petit fours For further information please swing by wwwFrenchCultureNightscom ...

French Culture Sky Night

@AOC Fine Wines — 2010-07-15 15:03:05

French Culture Nights Takes You to Sky Night While Overlooking Times Square The warm air of July takes the French Culture Nights to the Sky Deck in the heart of Times Square for a unique evening of Music on Wednesday July 21 Each monthly event features a mix of visual and performance arts in a casual but elegant setting A pleasing variety of talented artists and performers will make this evening an enjoyable opportunity for French speakers and French culture lovers of all backgrounds to mingle enjoy the arts and have fun The admission fee of $10 is waived for those who pre-register online at wwwFrenchCultureNightscom with CODE ldquoAOC FINE WINESrdquo before 4 pm EST on July 21 Admission includes a free copy of the new HOT Guide to French Culture FEATURED PERFORMERS On Wednesday July 21 from 630 pm to 1 am at the Sky Deck Terrace Novotel Hotel 226 West 52nd Street between Broadway and 8th Ave Breathtaking Hip Hop performance by Nuances Dance Crew House music by Kebek Street from Paris Ambiance music by drummer-percussionist Manu Leger nbsp For further information please swing by wwwFrenchCultureNightscom ...

A good year for Austrian wines

@AOC Fine Wines — 2010-06-15 16:36:07

A good year for Austrian wines The Washington Post recommanded this week two Austrian wines we just started to add on our shelves As the author of the article Dave McIntyre pointed out Austria is one place to look for exceptionnal value Like Burgundy Austria claims a rule of the nines any vintage ending in nine tends to be superb There is no logic to that but for some reason it has held true in Austria since 1959 Last year was no exception[] Austrias best-known white varietal is Gruner Veltliner which resembles Riesling in its citrusy flavors and relatively high acidity If you dont like Riesling because you think its too sweet and we should talk about that Gruner is a good alternative[] So for Austrian wine think good value high quality especially with the 2009s and a chance to try some unfamiliar wines while drinking in a little history Anton Bauer Gmork Gruner Veltliner 2009 This delightful wine offers a fine example of what wine lovers call minerality subtle flavors of lime zest with a hint of peach and nuances of talc and stone It conjures an image of vine roots stretching through rocky soil reaching for the essence of the earth Our Price $1299 Tegernseerhof T26 Gruner Veltliner 2009 Riper and fleshier than the Anton Bauer this fresh young Gruner has lime zest and grapefruit flavors when cold warmer it reveals tropical notes of mango Our Price $1699 Click here to read the full article on the Washington Post ...

Values from Spain!

@AOC Fine Wines — 2010-05-07 14:35:05

Spain has the most planted wine surface in the world and is home to some of the worlds largest wholesale exporting conglomerates such as Freixenet Yet Spain is also a dual agricultural economy where large industrial farms exist side by side with much smaller artisanal wineries You may guess where I am going here Spain makes a lot of brand-based wines mass produced in huge cooperatives designed to please the mainstream markets and big rating operations The importer David Solomon for example to name names knows how to get 90 points or more from his friend Robert Parker for wines made solely for export to the US Spain is also capable of making some the world greatest wines however El Unico from Vega Sicilia is on my list of my top five wines anywhere In order to understand Spanish wines it is important to realize that even today only a tiny fraction of winemakers actually make and sell their own wine The rest are part of large scale production operations that combine growers vinifiers bottlers and marketing strategists Of course that minority of independent artisan winemakers are the ones we want to work with These producers are responsible for the dramatic increase in quality that Spain has experienced over the past 15 years Our goal is to identify wines which deliver a sense of terroir and also good quality for the money As mentioned Spain produces a lot of wine and much does not meet our criteria To bring you our selection we needed to do some research and also taste a lot of mediocre standard wines in order to come up with more authentic products The predominant grapes in Spain are Tempranillo and Garnacha for the reds Albarinho and Verdejo similar to Sauvignon Blanc for the whites These grapes can certainly make good wines and of course we love them best when theyre inexpensive to boot Three wines featured at the next Wine Education Class Torre de Barreda 2007 Tempranillo Castilla 100percent Tempranillo Juicy Medium-Bodied red Balance more than power Food Pairing Pot au feu chicken quesadillas Spare ribs Cassoulet Reyes de Aragon Cepas Viejas Garnacha Catalayud Garnacha needs to be fully ripe in order to make a good wine and in order to be fully ripe you need very warm summer Typically the trade-off for that intensity of flavor is a high level of alcohol The most Talented winemakers manage to bring a Garnacha that is rich and easy wine without excessive alcohol levels Food Pairing Peking duck Mechoui Braised duck with figs in an orange sherry sauce Roast turkey stuffed with dry fruits and sausage Cava Bordeje Ainzon 100percent Chardonnay Acid fruity aromas such as pineapple Light on the palate fine light bubbles Elegant Food pairing Blinis with salmon Vegetable spring rolls Gaspacho Shrimp Tempura Tapas such as eggs stuffed with anchovies salt cod fritters mushroom caps stuffed with chorizo sausage Values from Spain...

Full Case Blow-out Sale: 18% off solid cases sale

@AOC Fine Wines — 2010-04-29 17:07:30

We have wine coming in from around the world and we need to make room in our wharehouse for a new supply Were offering a wide selection of wines Spain France New Zealand Italy Canada and Australia some limited quantity at an 18percent discount All wines have been impeccibly stored in our own climate controlled cellar since arrival Act quickly these wines will not be around forever French wines on sale Comtes de Tastes Merlot France Bordeaux Only $11988 $9830 a case Chateau Ramage la Batisse Cabernet Blend France Bordeaux Only $35988 $29510 a case Alex Gambal Chardonnay Chardonnay France Burgundy Only $35988 $29510 a case Alex Gambal Pinot Noir - Pinot Noir France Burgundy Only $40788 $33446 a case Maison Clavelier Chablis Chardonnay France Burgundy Only $35988 $29510 a case Ellen dAngeac Santenay Pinot Noir France Burgundy Only $44388 $36398 a case Cailloux Vieilles Vignes Grenache Blend France Languedoc Roussillon Only $17400 $14268 a case Domaine de la Serre Hypogee Syrah Blend France Languedoc Roussillon Only $22800 $18696 a case Domaine de la Serre Serre Grenache Blend France Languedoc Roussillon Only $20400 $16728 a case Domaine Leccia Vermentino Vermentino France Corsica Only $35988 $29510 a case Xavier Lili White Rhone Blend France Rhone Valley Only $17988 $14750 a case Domaine Bellegarde La Petit Manseng Grand Manseng France Southwest Only $16200 $13284 a case Italian wines on sale Casetta Gavi DOCG Gavi Italy Piedmont Only $23988 $19670 a case Gala Terre degli Osci - Pinot Grigio Italy Abruzzo Only $11988 $9830 a case Gala Colline Pescaresi - Sangiovese Italy Abruzzo Only $11988 $9830 a case Castello Carboncine Pinot Pinot Grigio Italy Treviso Only $17988 $14750 a case Castello Carboncine - Prosecco Italy Treviso Only $22788 $18686 a case Spanish wines on sale Langa Tinto Petit Verdot Petit Verdot Spain Aragon Only $14388 $11798 a case Langa Tinto Garnacha Garnacha Spain Aragon Only $13188 $10814 a case Langa Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Blend Spain Aragon Only $10788 $8846 a case New Zealand wines on sale Haka Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand Marlborough Only $23988 $19670 a case New Zealand 25 Steps Pinot Pinot Noir New Zealand Central Otago Only $40788 $33446 a case Surveyor Thomson Pinot Noir Pinot Noir New Zealand Central Otago Only $45588 $37382 a case Te Mara Pinot Gris Central Pinot Gris New Zealand Central Otago Only $31188 $25574 a case Australian wines on sale Thorpe Vineyard Classic Shiraz Australia Mc Laren Vale Only $17988 $14750 a case Bass Chardonnay Chardonnay Australia Tasmania Only $20388 $16718 a case Bass Riesling Riesling Australia Tasmania Only $20388 $16718 a case ...

You are invited: AOC April Wine Education Classes

@AOC Fine Wines — 2010-04-17 14:05:44

Would you like to taste wines from Southern Italy and learn with professional instructors On the 21st and 28th of April we will be tasting wine from the Puglia and Campani Vetrere Lago della Pergola Puglia Vetrere Cre Puglia Beneventano Aglianico Campania The price is $2500 which includes a $1000 Voucher toward the purchase that evening Go home with the wine you liked the best If you are a wine club member these classes are free for you For more information and to reserve your place online click here ...

Westchester County and New Rochelle comes together for The Knickerbocker Art Show 2010

@AOC Fine Wines — 2010-04-16 09:46:56

April 15 2010 New Rochelle NY This June the historic Knickerbocker Press Building will once again become a sanctuary for contemporary Art From June 19th through the 21st Reverol Co LLC is pleased to announce The Knickerbocker Art Show 2010 Utilizing more than eight thousand square feet of dazzling display space the show will put contemporary art to the fore in New Rochelle The exhibition includes works that move between sculpture painting video installation and all space in between This magnificent group of contemporary artists work at the boundaries of abstraction and modes of representation to design bodies of work that are both equally familiar and disconcerting Patrick Bancel Christine Serchia Don Geyra Vincent Zambrano Heredia Michael Cuomo Stephanie McMahon Cynthia Burgos Chenoa Maxwell Ivar Hyden Charles McGill and SueWorks are among the chosen artists participating in this year event SHOW DATES VIP Preview Friday June 18 2010 By invitation only Public Hours Opening Saturday June 19 2010 11am to 7pm Sunday June 20 through Monday June 21 Noon to 6pm SHOW LOCATION Knickerbocker Loft 52 Webster Avenue New Rochelle NY 10801 Opening June 192021 2010 11am to 6pm For more information go to wwwTheKnickerbockerArtShowcom PRESS CONTACT Olivia Wadsworth at oliviaatheknickerbockerartshowcom 914-740-5054 Join us on facebook The Knickerbocker Art Show gratefully acknowledges its 2010 sponsors and partners George Emery Warren Simplicity Design LLC Ginsburg Development Knick Loft Condo Board AOC Fine Wines ...

Bravo FASNY!!

@AOC Fine Wines — 2010-04-14 10:10:53

After only 3 weeks into your campaign AOC has already donated $529200 to the Olivia Tucker Scholarship Fund Keep it up End of year festivities gifts for friends loved ones teachers newlyweds are all great reasons to continue to support the school with FASNY wine PS Now that youve found us we hope youll visit us often at AOC FINE WINEScom and see whats tasting ...

Staff pick for Easter

@AOC Fine Wines — 2010-03-27 16:01:35

We have been tasting and talking about Rieslings with the newest member of the AOC Fine Wines family Nancys wine in Manhattan A timely discussion we think because a dry Riesling would be perfect with an Easter Ham Whichever holiday you celebrate a Prosecco is a relaxed festive way to welcome family and guests Lauren suggests the Castello Carboncine Prosecco Finally Patrick says the Olivier Garde Pinot Noir would be the perfect wine to accompany a main course of roast fish or white meats ...

Links for 2010-06-12 [del.icio.us]

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PDT

Wine Cocktail #1 The Black Velvet – Episode 94
Today’s question was sent in from Coco from the Upper West Side (New York, NY), “Can you make cocktail with wine?”

Links for 2010-06-10 [del.icio.us]

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PDT

Tasting of a 1924 Sauternes – Episode 91
In this episode Jeremy is tasting a 1924 Sauternes in order to let you know how long a wine can last.
Origin and production of Rosé wines – Episode 92
Today’s question was sent in from Carole from West Harlem who asks about Rosé, How do you make it and where does it comes from?

Links for 2010-06-08 [del.icio.us]

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PDT

Why are french wine labels so confusing? – Episode 88
Today’s question was sent in from Tony from Bedford in Connecticut who asks “why are french wine labels so confusing?”
First Growth Bordeaux – Episode 89
Today’s question was sent in from Ryan who asks about First growth Bordeaux.
Interview of the winemaker Carole Laplace – Episode 90
Today we have our first guest, Mademoiselle Carole Laplace, daughter of the winemaker Pierre Laplace. The Laplace family is very well known for producing extraordinary wines in the lesser known place of Madiran (Southwest, France).
Blog | AOC Fine Wines » Review of the Castello Carboncine Pinot Grigio (Treviso, Italy)
In this video Jeremy is tasting the Castello Carboncine Pinot Grigio from Treviso in Italy
Blog | AOC Fine Wines » Review of the Maison Clavelier Chablis (Burgundy, France)
In this video Jeremy is tasting the Castello Carboncine Pinot Grigio from Treviso in Italy
Blog | AOC Fine Wines » Review of the Oberbergen Pinot Gris (Baden Lake, Germany)
In this video Jeremy is tasting the Oberbergen Pinot Gris from the Baden Lake in Germany

Links for 2010-06-05 [del.icio.us]

Sun, 06 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PDT

AOC wines VS Non AOC wines [Wine Education Video]
Today’s question was sent in from Paul from Pennsylvania who asks “Is there a difference between AOC wines and non AOC wines?”

Links for 2010-05-29 [del.icio.us]

Sun, 30 May 2010 00:00:00 PDT

How bad can a wine get? [Wine Education Video]
Today’s question was sent in from Lihan from the Jersey shore who asks “How bad can a wine get?”.

Links for 2010-05-28 [del.icio.us]

Sat, 29 May 2010 00:00:00 PDT

Acidity in wine – Episode 84
Today’s question was sent in from Miho from Chappaqua who asks about acid in wine

Links for 2010-05-27 [del.icio.us]

Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 PDT

What is the best fortified wine to drink after a heavy night of overconsumption? [Wine Education Video]
Today's question was sent in from Tanya from Australia who asks "What is the best fortified wine to drink after a heavy night of overconsumption?"

Greco di Tufo ET [Flickr]

aocfinewines — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:08:53 PST

aocfinewines posted a photo:

De Falco Beneventano Aglianico 2008 [Flickr]

aocfinewines — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:08:52 PST

aocfinewines posted a photo:

Vetrere Cre 2008 [Flickr]

aocfinewines — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:08:01 PST

aocfinewines posted a photo:

Vetrere Lago della Pergola 2007 [Flickr]

aocfinewines — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:08:00 PST

aocfinewines posted a photo:

Vetrere Finis 2008 [Flickr]

aocfinewines — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:08:00 PST

aocfinewines posted a photo: