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videoWine Expert Reveals… If it’s REALLY THAT GOOD! New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
Today, French-trained winemaker Julien Miquel explains what makes New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc uniquely vibrant and world-renowned. 00:00 - New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Intro 00:00 - Climate and Chemistry 00:00 - Flavor and Complexity 00:00 - Winemaking Mastery _______________________ BECOME A WINE EXPLORER! Want to Taste Rare, Small Batch Wines from Argentina & Around the World? 🍷Click here: https://bit.ly/3T9UI6y EXPERIENCE EXTREME ALTITUDE WINES! Want to Taste Wine from the Most Remote Vineyards in the World? (Think 6,000 ft+!!) 🍷Click here: https://bit.ly/3T9UI6y _______________________ Compared to European or American styles, Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc features explosive aromas of citrus, tropical fruits, and gooseberry. Intense UV sunlight encourages grape skins to synthesize strong aromatic compounds, while cool ocean breezes and wide day-to-night temperature swings slow ripening. This extended hang-time locks in acidity while concentrating two chemical groups: volatile thiols (
videoThe Earliest Harvest Ever: CHAMPAGNE
Grapes were picked earlier than ever, but here's the interesting part: an early harvest isn't just about beating records. It can make all the difference in preserving the freshness and acidity that make Champagne so special. So, what does this mean for the Champagne we'll be drinking? 👀 Our friend and French winemaker Julien Miquel takes us behind the scenes of this remarkable harvest. 🎥 Want the full story? Watch the complete video on our YouTube channel! #BonnerPrivateWines #Champagne #WineHarvest #FrenchWine #WineEducation
videoPommard: Burgundy’s Most Powerful Pinot Noir? 🍷
In the heart of Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, Pommard stands apart with powerful, dark-fruited Pinot Noirs, firm tannins, remarkable structure, and exceptional aging potential. But what makes this small French village so different from its neighbors? Join French winemaker Julien Miquel as he explores the distinctive character of one of Burgundy’s most celebrated red wine appellations. 🎥 Want to discover what makes Pommard truly special? Watch the full video now. #Pommard #BurgundyWine #PinotNoir #FrenchWine #WineEducation #BonnerPrivateWines
videoThe Best Burgundy Pinots | Wine in 5’ – Pommard
Today, Julien introduces and explains what makes the prestigious Burgundy appellation of Pommard so special in the eyes of wine connoisseurs. Burgundy (Bourgogne) produces some of the most sought-after Pinot Noirs in the world. While the region is typically split between white-wine-dominant areas and lighter red appellations in the south, and powerful red Grand Crus in the north, the rustic village of Pommard stands out as a unique exception in the southern Côte de Beaune. Presented by French winemaker Julien Miquel, Pommard offers a distinct, robust profile at a relatively more accessible price point compared to northern icons like Gevrey-Chambertin or Vosne-Romanée. 00:00 - Pommard Wine Explained - Intro 02:37 - Archetype of Power in Burgundy 04:12 - The Terroir of Pommard 05:30 - Premier Crus VS Grand Cru 06:56 - Exceptional Cellar Longevity 08:06 - Understanding Pommard Wines _______________________ BECOME A WINE EXPLORER! Want to Taste Rare, Small Batch Wines from Argentina &
videoThe Earliest Harvest Ever: BURGUNDY
Burgundy just broke a harvest record dating back to 1556. 🍇 And this is only one example. Across major wine regions, the 2026 harvest arrived extraordinarily early, rewriting calendars that had stood for centuries. Want to see what happened in the other regions, and what it could mean for the wines? 🍷 Watch the full now
videoA closer look at the extraordinary 2026 wine season!
Across some of the world’s major wine regions, grapes were ready weeks earlier than usual, with some harvests already finished by the time picking would normally begin. So, what happened this year? 🍷 Julien takes a closer look at the extraordinary 2026 wine season. Watch the full video here on our YouTube channel
videoWINE 101: Dry Vs. Sweet
Talking about wine doesn’t have to be complicated. 🍷 You don’t need a long list of fancy tasting terms. Sometimes, simply being able to describe what you actually notice in your glass is the best place to start. Julien makes wine vocabulary a little easier in our latest Wine 101. ▶️ Watch the full video here!
videoWINE 101 - Vocabulary for Beginners
In this beginner-friendly guide, Julien presents essential vocabulary to help newcomers discuss wine confidently with sommeliers and experts. Mastering a few fundamental concepts allows anyone to accurately describe their tasting experience. 00:00 - How to Talk about Wine 01:36 - Sweetness in Wine 02:38 - Talk about ‘’Acidity’’ 03:22 - What is the body of wine? 04:12 - Tannins in red wine 05:17 - Alcohol in wine _______________________ BECOME A WINE EXPLORER! Want to Taste Rare, Small Batch Wines from Argentina & Around the World? 🍷Click here: https://bit.ly/3T9UI6y EXPERIENCE EXTREME ALTITUDE WINES! Want to Taste Wine from the Most Remote Vineyards in the World? (Think 6,000 ft+!!) 🍷Click here: https://bit.ly/3T9UI6y _______________________ Dry vs. Sweet: This refers to the wine's sweetness level. A wine with no noticeable sugar is described as "bone-dry" or simply "dry" (often tasting crisp). Wines with high sugar levels are called "sweet," while those in the middle are cate
videoThis EXOTIC wine has a Reputation! - Cloudy Bay New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
Today Julien tastes and reviews Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, one of the most famous and iconic wine labels from New Zealand. Background & History Established in 1985 by David Hohnen (founder of Western Australia's Cape Mentelle Vineyards), Cloudy Bay played a crucial role in putting New Zealand wine on the international stage. Located in the renowned Marlborough region on the South Island, the winery was acquired in 1990 by Champagne house Veuve Clicquot, which later became part of the French luxury conglomerate LVMH. Wine connoisseurs consider Cloudy Bay the benchmark for high-quality, classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc due to its reliability and distinct style. 00:00 - New Zealand Wine Intro 00:41 - A brief history of Cloudy Bay VIneyards 03:00 - Sauvignon Blanc Wine Review _______________________ BECOME A WINE EXPLORER! Want to Taste Rare, Small Batch Wines from Argentina & Around the World? 🍷Click here: https://bit.ly/3T9UI6y EXPERIENCE EXTREME ALTITUDE WINES! Want to Taste W
videoKristy Tastes Blackbird Muir-Hanna Vineyard Chardonnay 2021
Kristy Wenz takes us through Blackbird Vineyards’ first Chardonnay, made with fruit from the same historic vineyard that supplied Chardonnay for Château Montelena’s winning wine at the 1976 Judgment of Paris. Even more special? It’s a one-time-only wine from this vineyard. 🇺🇸 Watch @kristys_winetravels taste her way through our American Collection 2026 on our YouTube channel. See you there!
videoWe have never seen this! - Vintage 2026 Breaks Record
Today, Julien reports on how the 2026 wine season has proven to be unprecedented and historically dramatic, marked by record-breaking early harvests across Europe and North America. Driven by extreme weather—including the warmest spring on record and severe heatwaves through June, July, and August—vines matured at an extraordinary pace. By the first week of September, when picking traditionally begins for white and rosé grapes, harvesting was already completely finished in several key regions. _______________________ BECOME A WINE EXPLORER! Want to Taste Rare, Small Batch Wines from Argentina & Around the World? 🍷Click here: https://bit.ly/3T9UI6y EXPERIENCE EXTREME ALTITUDE WINES! Want to Taste Wine from the Most Remote Vineyards in the World? (Think 6,000 ft+!!) 🍷Click here: https://bit.ly/3T9UI6y _______________________ This rapid maturation forced wine authorities and prestigious estates to rewrite historical harvesting calendars: ➡️Burgundy: Top producers like Domaine Lefl
videoThese Are Not Your Obvious California Wines - Tasting our American Collection (Part 2)
Part 2 is here! 🍷 Join us as Kristy Wenz tastes three more wines from our American Collection 2026: Not the Obvious California, taking us from a historic Chardonnay vineyard in Napa Valley to century-old Zinfandel vines in Sonoma and the rugged slopes of Pritchard Hill. Three wines, three very different sides of California, and plenty to discover in every glass. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Blackbird Muir-Hanna Vineyard Chardonnay 2021 02:27 Tasting & Pairing – Blackbird Muir-Hanna Vineyard Chardonnay 2021 05:03 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 06:42Tasting & Pairing – Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 09:18 Seghesio Saini Zinfandel 2021 11:01 Tasting & Pairing – Seghesio Saini Zinfandel 2021 _______________________ BECOME A WINE EXPLORER! Want to Taste Rare, Small Batch Wines from Argentina & Around the World? 🍷Click here: https://bit.ly/3T9UI6y EXPERIENCE EXTREME ALTITUDE WINES! Want to Taste Wine from the Most Remote Vineyards in the World? (Think
videoAlma Rosa Collab Reel x Kristy
The Alma Rosa “North Slope” Pinot Noir 2022 comes from the cool, Pacific-influenced Sta. Rita Hills, from the El Jabali Vineyard. Planted in 1983 and shaped by limestone-rich soils, morning fog, afternoon breezes, and a long, moderate growing season. The result is a Pinot that feels distinctly coastal: bright and lively, with red fruit, floral notes, fresh acidity, elegant tannins, and that beautiful mineral, almost saline character that @kristys_winetravels keeps coming back to in this tasting. A beautiful expression of place from @almarosawinery, and one of the discoveries featured in our 2026 American Collection: Not the Obvious California. 🇺🇸🍷 Enjoy the full tasting in the complete video! Cheers!
videoAs they say, rock like a Banshee!!! 🤘🍷
This wine has plenty to talk about. The 2022 Banshee Trenton Vineyard Pinot Noir comes from the cool, foggy hills of the Russian River Valley, where slow ripening helps preserve the freshness and elegance that make this region so special for Pinot Noir. Made from several classic Pinot Noir clones and aged for 15 months in French oak, it’s delicate, structured, and full of character. In this tasting, Kristy Wenz takes a closer look at this remarkable Pinot Noir, one of the special wines included in our American Collection 2026. 🇺🇸 🍷 Check all the details in the full video!
videoTasting 2023 Clementine Carter Sta. Rita Hills Grenache!
Cool-climate Grenache is a different kind of Grenache. 🍷 This one brings together fruit from three vineyards across the Sta. Rita Hills, each with different soils and exposures. Winemaker Sonja Magdevski uses 100% whole-cluster fermentation, wild yeasts, and neutral French oak, helping preserve the freshness and aromatic lift Kristy @kristys_winetravels discovers in the glass. 🏆96 points from Wine Enthusiast. 🏆92 points from Wine Spectator. One of the gems we’re proud to include in our American Collection 2026. 🇺🇸 🎥 Want to see the full tasting? Check the full video.
videoThese California Wines Deserve a Place in Your Cellar - American Collection 2026 (Part 1)
Three remarkable wines. Three unforgettable stories. Join wine educator Kristy Wenz as she tastes three wines from our American Collection 2026, exploring the vineyards, the people behind each bottle, and what makes these wines so distinctive. Inspired by California's most remarkable growing regions, this collection celebrates historic vineyards, thoughtful farming, and winemakers who let each site speak for itself. 00:00 Introduction 03:00 Clementine Carter Sta. Rita Hills Grenache 2023 04:54 Tasting – Clementine Carter Sta. Rita Hills Grenache 2023 06:03 Pairing 06:39 Alma Rosa "North Slope" Pinot Noir 2022 08:53 Tasting – Alma Rosa "North Slope" Pinot Noir 2022 09:51 Pairing 10:08 Banshee Trenton Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 13:04 Pairing ____________ BECOME A WINE EXPLORER! Want to Taste Rare, Small Batch Wines from Argentina & Around the World? 🍷Click here: https://bit.ly/3T9UI6y EXPERIENCE EXTREME ALTITUDE WINES! Want to Taste Wine from the Most Remote Vineyards in the World? (T
videoCan China Really Make Great Wine?
Wine has been part of China's story for more than 2,000 years. But only in recent decades has the country begun producing bottles that are attracting international attention. While much of the wine world remains focused on Bordeaux and Napa Valley, something quietly fascinating is happening in China's Shandong region. Watch the full video as our wine expert, Julien, explores one of the country's most intriguing Cabernets and discovers whether Chinese wine is ready to surprise the world. 🍷
videoThe BEST (Italian) WINE for $30!
Julien explores the real-world quality of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a cornerstone of Tuscan viticulture that Julien considers a "must-try" for any wine enthusiast. To find a quintessential representation of the appellation, Julien selects a bottle from the legendary Marchesi Antinori estate (the producers of Tignanello). Specifically, the wine comes from La Braccesca, a large estate of over 1,000 acres. This scale ensures the wine serves as a reliable benchmark for the region’s style rather than the niche expression of a boutique producer. ____________ BECOME A WINE EXPLORER! Want to Taste Rare, Small Batch Wines from Argentina & Around the World? 🍷Click here: https://bit.ly/3T9UI6y EXPERIENCE EXTREME ALTITUDE WINES! Want to Taste Wine from the Most Remote Vineyards in the World? (Think 6,000 ft+!!) 🍷Click here: https://bit.ly/3T9UI6y ____________ Appearance and First Impressions The wine tasted is a 2017 vintage, making it nine years old at the time of the review. Having un
videoThis Chinese wine is VERY SURPRISING!
Today, Julien explores the unique maritime terroir of the Shandong province through a tasting of the 2013 Chateau Nine Peaks Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. While global attention often settles on Napa or Bordeaux, Shandong is quietly revolutionizing the "New World" of wine, with some local prestige labels even fetching prices upwards of $700. ____________ BECOME A WINE EXPLORER! Want to Taste Rare, Small Batch Wines from Argentina & Around the World? 🍷Click here: https://bit.ly/3T9UI6y EXPERIENCE EXTREME ALTITUDE WINES! Want to Taste Wine from the Most Remote Vineyards in the World? (Think 6,000 ft+!!) 🍷Click here: https://bit.ly/3T9UI6y ____________ The primary differentiator for Shandong is its coastal location. Unlike inland Chinese regions like Ningxia, which suffer from harsh desert conditions requiring vines to be buried in earth to survive the winter, Shandong’s climate is moderated by the Yellow and Bohai Seas. This allows vines to stay above ground year-round, resulting i
videoThis Is a Benchmark Napa Cabernet
Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 is part of our latest American Collection 2026, a selection created to honor California’s place in the story of American wine. But not the obvious California. This collection goes beyond the label, into the vineyards, the families, the soils, and the bottles with memory. And Chappellet is one of its great highlights, a powerful, elegant Cabernet shaped by the rocky hillsides of Pritchard Hill and decades of winemaking tradition. Join the club and be part of something extraordinary. Exceptional wines, delivered directly to your door. Link in Bio. 🍷 📸 Video content courtesy of Chappellet Winery.
videoDon't Judge a Wine by Its Color🤗
A lighter color doesn't mean a lighter experience. Cool-climate Syrah often trades power for elegance, producing wines with freshness, finesse, and remarkable complexity. Watch the full tasting and review to learn more about Côte-Rôtie. 🍷
videoJulien Tastes a $90 Côte-Rôtie!
This is a wine that balances freshness, complexity, and elegance in every sip. Watch the full tasting and review to discover Julien's final verdict.
videoWhy Great Wines Taste Harsh When Young
A wine that feels sharp or austere in its youth isn't necessarily a flaw. For great wines like Côte-Rôtie, that structure and acidity are often exactly what allow them to improve for years, even decades. Watch the full tasting to discover what makes a wine worthy of the title Grand Vin. 🍷
videoWhat's Behind This $90 Wine?🤓
Enjoy the full tasting in the complete review. 🍷 Before the first sip, there's already a fascinating story to tell. Les Bécasses is crafted from 100% Syrah grown on Côte-Rôtie's steep mica-schist slopes, then aged in oak to add texture and complexity without overpowering the wine's character. Every choice, from vineyard sourcing to barrel aging, helps shape the final expression in your glass. Watch the full review to discover how it all comes together.