|
ARTWALK NY - NOVEMBER 15, 2011 Precious art, a praiseworthy charity and a pretty woman or two. While co-chairing the 17th annual ARTWALK NY charity auction, along with fellow chairs Alec Baldwin, Carey Lowell and honorary chairwoman Coco Rocha, Richard Gere took a moment to sip on Gilles Louvet O Chardonnay, a Sud de France wine. The event benefits Coalition for the Homeless, the nation's oldest advocacy and direct service organization helping homeless men, women, and children. Photo Credit © Suzanne Burger INTERNATIONAL ROWING CHALLENGE - SEPTEMBER 8-10,2011 From September 8th – 10th, Sud de France welcomed to New York more than 60 rowers from the rowing club « Cettarames, » based in the harbor of Sète on the Mediterranean coast. The athletes engaged in a friendly competition on the Hudson River with a local club, The Village Community Boathouse. In preparation for the race, the rowers were invited to the Maison de la Région Languedoc-Roussillon to enjoy a regional specialty, Tielles. This collaborative event allowed the two cultures to bond around a common sport, sharing the richness of the Languedoc-Roussillon region with the American public. FESTIVAL SUD DE FRANCE - JUNE 6-JUNE 30 2011 BRINGS WARM MEDITERRANEAN VIBES TO NEW YORK! C’EST MAGNIFIQUE! 3rd Annual Consumer, Restaurant, Bar and Retailer Education Program JUNE 6, 6PM-11PM: Sud de France Festival Launch Party In order to celebrate the launch of the Sud de France Festival, all are invited to the Frying Pan, a boat docked at Pier 66 in Manhattan, to dive into the lifestyle of the South of France with a night of wine, music, dancing, and joie de vivre. Featuring an installation of paintings and live art performance entitled “Ivres de bouteilles” by Languedoc-Roussillon artist Francesca Caruana, a set by the Montpellier acoustic duo Lull, and the unforgettable sound of The New York Brass Band, this soirée will create an ambiance with enough esprit to transport attendees from the banks of the Hudson to the Mediterranean Coast. (6PM-8PM: Press & Trade only. 8PM-11PM Open to public - FREE) JUNE 6, 7PM-12AM: Les Déferlantes Concert Sud de France welcomes Les Déferlantes Festival, an initiative that serves to discover the most up-and-coming bands in the music scene. Featuring artists AaRON, The Two, and Balbino Medellin, this concert at the Poisson Rouge will infuse New York with the sounds of French musicians to follow. (FREE) JUNE 7, 6PM – 9PM: Time Out New York on the Rooftop Event Sud de France will be offering a selection of Languedoc-Roussillon wines to a trendy crowd as they bask in the summer sunlight and soak in the skyline on the Above Allen rooftop. (Tickets available for $35 through Time Out New York. Proceeds benefit Food Bank for NY) JUNE 9, 16, & 23, 7PM-9PM: Wine Seminars Through a series of seminars held at the Maison de la Région Languedoc-Roussillon, friends of Sud de France will teach guests about the diversity and quality of our wines. Themes include tantalizing topics such as Sweet Wines & Chocolate, Languedoc-Roussillon 101 and a Blending Seminar with wines from a notable producer. (FREE, come early as seating is limited) JUNE 20, 7PM-10PM: An Evening at the James Beard Foundation The young and dynamic chef Charles Fontès will arrive fresh from Montpellier, France in order to prepare an authentic Sud de France dinner at the James Beard House. Partnering with fellow Languedoc-Roussillon native Cédric Tovar of Daniel Boulud’s Feast and Fêtes, these two talented chefs will execute an inspired meal with the perfect Sud de France wines paired with each course. ($170, through the James Beard Foundation) JUNE 21, 5PM-7PM: Fête de la Musique Cocktail at the French Embassy The annual “Fête de la musique” takes places on the first day of summer, celebrating music with concerts across the world. This year’s “fête” starts with a showcase by the pop-rock- electronic band Liptease and cocktail from 5PM to 7PM (FREE) JUNE 22, 7PM-10PM: Fête de la Musique Concert at the Hiro Ballroom Sip your Sud de France wines from the VIP open bar from 7pm to 8pm before enjoying the sounds of French artists Maïa Vidal, Ben l’Oncle Soul, Louis Bertignac and others, presented by Bureauexport. (FREE) JUNE 27, 7PM-9PM: Sud de France Wine Tasting Sud de France concludes the festival with a wine tasting featuring Vignobles du Soleil, a vineyard in the Languedoc-Roussillon. With a presenter arriving directly from the region, a selection of wines will help guests to experience all that it means to invest ones talents and emotions into the beautiful product that is a Sud de France wine. (Guests can enter to win a ticket by responding to our ad in Time Out NY, or by liking us on Facebook!) ARTWALKNY - November 4, 2010 Despite a busy evening co-chairing the ARTWALK charity auction, benefiting the Coalition for the Homeless, Richard Gere was able to spend a moment discovering the pleasures of Sud de France wines with brand ambassador Aliénor Reisner. FESTIVAL SUD DE FRANCE - JUNE 14-JULY 23 2010 BRINGS WARM MEDITERRANEAN VIBES TO NEW YORK! C’EST MAGNIFIQUE! 2nd Annual Consumer, Restaurant, Bar and Retailer Education Program June 14 2010: Festival Sud de France Kick Off Party
On June 14, Sud de France launched its Summer 2010 Food Wine and Sun Festival, organizing a celebration on the Frying Pan barge on the Hudson River. Attended by 250 professionals in the wine industry and the local press, both event and venue were richly decorated in Sud de France colors to mark the start of the Festival. Sud de France ambassadors Mike Colameco, famous chef and television presenter, and Jamal Rayyis, wine critic and enthusiast, made special appearances. All the guests enjoyed over thirty different wines from the region, which were presented by various participating importers. June 15-18 2010: Educational Tasting Seminars
From June 15 to the 18, the Maison de la Region Languedoc-Roussillon opened its doors to a host of New Yorkers, both consumers and professionals, in light of the newly launched Sud de France Festival. Each night during this period had its own theme: June 15: Blending Seminar
With Mark Fine (U.S. director of Gérard Bertrand), amateurs and wine enthusiasts could create their own wine, by assembling various grape varietals using pipettes. Guests chose from grenache, syrah, mourvèdre and carignan as they concocted their wine blends.
June 16: Fitou 101 with Benoit Ferré of Mont Tauch
A detailed presentation about the Fitou AOC, shared with guests by Benoit Ferré, was designed to introduce and increase public awareness about this under-recognized appellation.
June 17: Sweet Wines and Chocolate
Five sweet wines from the region were paired with chocolates during an enjoyable and informative class led by Andrew Bell, president of both Wine Symphony Imports and the American Sommelier Association (ASA).
June 18: Wines of Languedoc
Christine Molines of the Inter-professional Council of Languedoc Wines (CIVL) was at the Maison to present ten wines from Languedoc that collectively represented some of the various appellations from the sub-region. June 23 2010: Time Out New York Tasting with Languedoc-Roussillon Wines
On June 23, the winners of a contest presented in Time Out Magazine, and journalists from New York publications, participated in a wine tasting featuring a selection of wines from the region. The wines were of producers Château Rives-Blanques (imported by Demontoux Fine Wines), Mont Tauch, and Domaine La Tour Boisée. Throughout the tasting, producers and the wine importers themselves were present, and were able to provide an informative presentation of their wines, offering participants to become more familiar with the wines of the region.  June 28 – July 3 2010: Sud de France Menu at Benoit
In the midst of the Festival Sud de France, the Sud de France team partnered with Benoit bistro to bring authentic food and wine from the Languedoc-Roussillon region to New York. The Michelin-starred Chef Jean Marc Boyer of Le Puits du Trésor in Lastours, France concocted gastronomic delights intended to pair perfectly with the wines of the region. Between June 28th and July 3rd, Chef Boyer’s dishes were featured on Benoit’s menu for anyone to experience a true escape to the tastes and pleasures of the Languedoc-Roussillon. June 29 2010: Press Lunch at Benoit
Members of the Press and Trade were able to spend the afternoon escaping to the gastronomic delights of the Languedoc-Roussillon. The Michelin-starred Chef Jean Marc Boyer of Le Puits du Trésor in Lastours, France and winemaker Gontran Dondain of Chateau Cabezac paired together to create food and wine pairings at Alain Ducasse’s Benoit bistro in mid-town Manhattan. This lunch was organized as part of the Festival Sud de France. June 30 2010: James Beard Dinner
The James Beard Foundation, hallmark center for American gastronomy and culinary appreciation, hosted Chef Jean-Marc Boyer (of the Le Puits du Trésor restaurant) and Chef Cédric Tovar (of Daniel Boulud’s Feast & Fêtes), who presented food pairings with Sud de France wines to more than ninety invited guests, which included amongst them renown gastronomes and award-winning journalists. The dinner was organized by the Maison of New York, as part of the Sud de France Festival. July 18 2010: Bastille Day Brooklyn
French and Francophiles alike celebrated Bastille Day on Smith Street in Brooklyn. With a Sud de France stand dedicated to a free wine tasting, the nearly 20,000 guests were able to enjoy the festive atmosphere as well as explore the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The wines of the region were well suited to this event, which is the largest Pétanque tournament in North America. July 19 2010: Second Annual Sommelier Competition Professional contestants worked to further their knowledge of the wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon in order to compete in the second annual Sommelier Competition. The experts were asked to complete a questionnaire, written theory exam, food and wine pairings, a sparkling wine service and a 6 wine blind taste test before a jury chosen by the American Sommelier Association. As a result, each of these prominent sommelier are now better equipped to recommend the wines of the region to their restaurants and customers. Yannkick Benjamin of Le Dû’s Wines won the first place prize of a trip to the Languedoc-Roussillon and will study first-hand the rich soils and terroirs, as well as meet some of the talented producers of Languedoc-Roussillon. July 20 2010: Organic Winemaker Dinner at Le Pain Quotidien Importer Paul Chartrand presented organic Sud de France wines to guests at Le Pain Quotidien – United Nations. Along with wine critic Jamal Rayyis, they discussed the history of the Languedoc-Roussillon and the progress that the winemakers of the region are making in the production of organic wine, a growing trend for conscientious consumers. 19 locations of the popular restaurant Le Pain Quotidien partnered with the Maison de la Région Languedoc-Roussillon throughout the festival Sud de France, featuring wines of the region on their menus. July 21 2010: Wine Tasting with Time Out New York featuring Gerard Bertrand Wines
Sud de France welcomed five winners from a Time Out contest, as well as members of the press and trade to taste a selection of wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon. Mark Fine presented five wines from the Gérard Bertrand portfolio, while informing guests about the region and wowing the audience with magic tricks.
- Gérard Bertand, Crémant de Limoux Brut 2007 AOC Crémant de Limoux
- Gérard Bertand, Château l’Hospitalet, Blanc 2008 AOC Coteaux du Languedoc, La Clape
- Gérard Bertand, Réserve Spéciale, Syrah Rosé 2009 Vin de Pays d’Oc
- Gérard Bertand, Corbières Rouge 2008 AOC Corbières
- Gérard Bertand, Tautavel, Grand Terroir 2007 AOC Cotes du Roussillon Village
_____________________________ Announced April 2010
New York, NY - From June 14 to July 23, the Sud de France Festival will bring a taste of the Mediterranean to favorite New York area restaurants and wine shops through an education and sampling program focused on the wine and foods of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. New Yorkers will be treated to six weeks of free wine tastings at nearly 60 participating wine retailers throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, in addition to Sud de France Mediterranean menus and wine specials by the glass featured at restaurants ranging from casual La Petite Abeille to Ducasse-famed Benoît. With their newfound knowledge, consumers will be able to answer questions about Sud de France/Languedoc-Roussillon and enter a contest on www.festival-suddefrance.com with a prize of a complimentary dinner for two ($150 value) at any of the 51 participating restaurants. In addition, consumers who purchase eight bottles of Languedoc-Roussillon wines from participating retailers can enter for a chance to win a Sud de France panier garni (gift basket) filled with gourmet food and wine products.
The Sud de France Festival kicks off with “open house” educational seminars and tastings of the region’s wines led by Sud de France spokesperson and wine expert Jamal Rayyis and other experts at the Maison de la Région Languedoc-Roussillon (10 East 53rd Street) on Tuesday, June 15 through Friday, June 18, from 6 to 9 PM each evening. For example, the first event is a wine blending seminar, where guests will receive an expert-guided tasting and lesson in blending the characteristic grape varieties of the region with pipettes to create their own special cuvée of Languedoc-Roussillon wine. In July, highlights include a winemaker brunch on July 18th at the brand new location of Le Pain Quotidien at Central Park and West 70th street, as well as special events surrounding Bastille Day. For wine professionals, there will be a sommelier contest to choose this year’s Sud de France Festival sommelier of the year on July 19th.
Throughout New York, the 59 wine retailers are organizing in-store tastings and educational sessions on the wines of Sud de France. Participating restaurants include Les Halles, the Tour de France restaurant group including Café d’Alsace, French Roast, Marseille, L’Express, Pigalle, Le Monde, and Maison and The Forgeois Group’s Cercle Rouge, Bar Tabac and Le Singe Vert. Participating bars include 8th Street Wine Cellar and Flûte. An exciting addition to this year’s Sud de France Festival is Le Pain Quotidien, which will exclusively feature organic wines of Languedoc-Roussillon (two red, two white and a rosé and sparkling wine) alongside the wines of founder and Languedoc-Roussillon resident Alain Coumont. During the Festival, Le Pain Quotidien will showcase a special Sud de France menu including gourmet ingredients from the region.
Sun-drenched and ripened to perfection, the wines of Languedoc-Roussillon are amongst the most diverse with red, white, rosé, sparkling and sweet wines for every occasion at every price point. The Sud de France program has a goal of expanding New Yorkers’ knowledge of this region, including the fact that Languedoc-Roussillon produces more wine and the largest amount of organic wines of any other wine region in the world.
For information on the wines and cuisine of Languedoc-Roussillon, go to: www.sud-de-france.com/en
Complete information on the Sud de France Festival, including promotions and participating venues, dates, locations for cooking and pairing demonstrations, will be available June 1st on: ww.festival-suddefrance.com/ny
__________________ FESTIVAL SUD DE FRANCE - OCTOBER 2009
 August 31 2009: Water Taxi Beach Kick-Off Party
The launch party for the festival was held at the Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City. Guests feasted on regional wines and delicacies while enjoying a spectacular view of Manhattan.
Mike Colameco amd Jamal Rayyis
Tastings in 28 Wine Bars and Liquor Stores Took Place During the Month of October Beekman Liquors, Chambers Street, Chelsea Wine Vault, Le Bâteau Ivre, Jadis Wine Bar, Hearth, Le Jardin Bistro, Bacchus, Les Halles, The Ten Bells, Garnet, Le Wine Shop, Astor Wines, Grace Wine & Spirits, SIP Fine Wine, Maslow 6, Columbus Circle Wines, Mister Wright Fine Wine and Spirits, Bacchus Wine Made Simple, Grand Wines & Spirits, Gotham Wines & Liquors, Discovery Wines, Harlem Vintage, Le Dû’s Wines, September Wines, Divine Bar, 67 Wine & Spirits, Thirst Wine Merchant Jadis Wine List
Restaurants Featuring Sud de France Menus During the Festival Parigot presented a Prix Fixe Menu Wine Pairing from the Regions of Languedoc and Roussillon / Sud de France for$50 Blue Water Grill
Laura Maniec, one of the few woman who owns a Master Sommelier title, has picked this seafood haven to showcase the wines of Languedoc Roussillon: for a Taste of Sud de France in Union Square, head over early to catch a great seafood and white wine pairing! One week, five themes; at the Maison de la Region Languedoc-Roussillon 
October 5, 2009
Languedoc 101: A special introductory class to the wines of Languedoc-Roussillon
With more than 30 appellations, Languedoc-Roussillon can be intimidating. Sud de France makes understanding the region’s bounty easy and fun! Get introduced to the wines of Sud de France by wine critic Jamal Rayyis.
October 6, 2009
Pairing the foods and wine of Languedoc-Roussillon
Love French wine & cuisine, but not sure how to French-ify your galley kitchen? Learn the fundamentals of pairing the wines & foods of Sud de France with wine expert Jamal Rayyis.
October 7, 2009
Blending seminar on Langudoc-Roussillon wines and cuvees
Ever wonder what a wine “blend” is? Get a crash course in winemaking from Languedoc-Roussillon expert Mark Fine of Gerard Bertrand. Using component wines – Carignan, Grenache, Mourvedre & Syrah – Mark will show how Sud de France winemakers achieve the perfect balance of varietals in the wines of their domaines.
October 8, 2009
Pairing the foods and wine of Languedoc-Roussillon
Love French wine & cuisine, but not sure how to French-ify your galley kitchen? Learn the fundamentals of pairing the wines & foods of Sud de France with wine expert Jamal Rayyis.
October 9, 2009
Sparkling Friday: All that sparkles from the Languedoc-Roussillon
Ever wonder where sparkling wine came from? Although Champagne might get most of the glory, the first sparkling wine was actually Blanquette, produced in the city of Limoux in Languedoc, and dates back to the 1500s. Stop by the Maison to learn more about the birthplace of bubbly with wine expert Jamal Rayyis, and to toast to the end of a wonderful week.
Exclusive Events November 7, 2009: Languedoc-Roussillon tasting at Bar Boulud
Bar Boulud is teaming up with importer Jenny & François to prepare a special Languedoc-Roussillon tasting of 8 wines. The cost will be $75 and will cover the wines and 4 courses of appetizers. Call now to book your reservation for this one-of-a-kind event that is sure to promise a Mediterranean experience like no other. October 29, 2009 : Le Gourmet Store five course wine dinner
“New from Chef Jean-Louis, Le Gourmet Store is an easygoing, non-pretentious retreat for people seeking delicious ingredients at fair prices.?Our intention is not to carry a million products, but in fact to offer you what we believe is the “best of” right now.”
The best for you right now is a special five course wine dinner in this all encompassing gourmand paradise in Greenwich, CT.
October 29, 2009: Mike Colameco: 92nd Street Y at Delia/Car Schaedel & Co. Showroom
A cooking demonstration and educational course led by Sud de France ambassador Mike Colameco. Topic: Fish & Seafood 101. Courses prepared will be paired with wines from Sud de France.
October 19, 2009: Feast with Famous Faces
Over 35 of New York’s most celebrated chefs, news broadcasters and daytime television stars joined forces to host the 15th annual Feast With Famous Faces, Manhattan’s most exciting and glamorous culinary gala, benefiting the Center for Hearing and Communication. Wine Spectator presented this wonderful charity event, which featured wines from Sud de France.  
October 8, 2009: Languedoc-Roussillon dinner at Restaurant Jean-Louis, Greenwich, CT
Chef Jean-Louis Gerin has prepared a special menu, including cassoulet of seafood, roasted Monkfish filet, farm-raised pheasant, and cheeses from the region, which will be paired with wines from Jaja de Jau, Val de l’Ours, Les Deux Rives, Blason d’Aussières, and St. Jean de Minervois. Jordan Ross of Pasternak Wine Imports will present the wines, and each will be available for purchase following dinner at Le Wine Store.
October 7, 2009: Sud de France Course on Vins Doux Naturels (sweet wines) at the French Wine Society 2nd Annual Conference
At the French Embassy in Washington DC, Jamal Rayyis, spokesperson for Sud de France, will be one of the keynote speakers at the French Wine Society’s 2nd Annual Conference. He will present an in-depth tasting seminar on the Vins Doux Naturels (VDN) of the Languedoc-Roussillon region which produces over 90% of France’s VDNs. To find out more and register for the FWS Conference visit www.FrenchWineSociety.org
October 6, 2009: Languedoc Wine Lovers’ Dinner at the James Beard House
Chefs Doug Psaltis and Cédric Tovar of Django & Peacock Alley fame, have prepared a five-course Languedoc-Roussillon meal, featuring fricassee d’Escargot, braised lamb and slow-cooked ratatouille, and feuilleté de Pelardon with seven Sud de France wines.
October 1, 2009: Cooking/Pairing Demonstration at 2nd Street Y at Viking Showroom
Enjoy Food, Wine & Sun with Mike Colameco as you sharpen your cooking skills at this 92nd Street Y class at Viking Showroom. 
September 29, 2009: Winemaker Dinner at Madison Bistro
A dinner featuring the cuisine of Languedoc-Roussillon paired with the wines of a Sud de France winemaker for consumers. |
