Behind the Cork™ - Elouan Chardonnay by Copper Cane

2021 Elouan Chardonnay ($20)

In January 2014, Joseph Wagner formed Copper Cane Wine & Provisions. Elouan is the result of Wagner heading North to Oregon to create wines with depth of flavor, vibrancy and suppleness.

The grapes for this Chardonnay come from three regions - North Western Oregon, West-Central Hills and South Western Oregon.

Elouan means “Good Light” which is reflective of the abundant summer sunshine and cool temperatures in Oregon.

Elouan Chardonnay is barrel fermented in French oak (50% new) for 14 months with full Malolactic Conversion, the natural process of converting sharper malic acid into softer, smoother, creamy lactic acid.

This Elouan Chardonnay is medium gold in color with fruit aromas of baked apple and pear along with notes from the oak aging. On the palate it is soft, rich and creamy with the noted baked apple and pear flavors, medium acidity and a long, rich finish.

Elouan Chardonnay, from Copper Cane, is perfect for celebrating the holidays, or any time! A tasty Chardonnay like this one, at a great price, make this Elouan Chardonnay a perfect fit as a Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Copper Cane Wines via CURICH | WEISS

Behind the Cork™ - Wines of Flat Creek Estate Winery & Vineyard

The “Trilogy Pack” from Flat Creek

Great wines from Texas? Indeed! Flat Creek Estate Winery & Vineyard is located roughly 45 minutes from downtown Austin Texas on 80 acres. Their beautiful vineyards combine with an elegant tasting room, full-service restaurant, a covered pavilion and even a one-of-a-kind 18-hole disc golf course!

Located in Marble Falls Texas, the Flat Creek Estate was established in 1996 in the Texas Hill Country AVA. It is dedicated to creating artisanal, handcrafted wines drawing on Old World winemaking practices that accentuate their unique terroir.

Their winery has earned more than 400 awards and accolades, including multiple Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.

At the recent Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition, this “Trilogy Pack” won big with the following awards:

  • 2017 Super Texan ($48) - Double Gold Medal /Reserve Class Champion / Reserve Texas Class Champion

    Elevate your senses with their iconic red blend of Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Petite Sirah and Primitivo has been the flagship of their estate for decades. Cloaked in a deep ruby robe, its complex bouquet entwines luscious black currants, succulent raspberries, and a whisper of exotic Sichuan pepper. With a balanced medium body, it’s your weeknight companion, offering black cherry and fresh plum flavors that dance effortlessly on the palate. A hint of vanilla bids adieu, leaving a soft, lingering impression.

  • 2018 Buttero - Silver Medal

    This Buttero (Italian Cowboy) Italian red blend (Sangiovese, Primitivo and Montepulciano)

    (Coming Soon as part of the Trilogy Pack)

  • 2018 Four Horsemen Red Blend ($45) - Silver Medal

    This Estate Red Blend (Montepulciano, Primitivo and Syrah) is designed to showcase the results when exceptional Texas fruit is crafted with exceptional winemaking skill. This wine showcases their unique terroir and reflects the strength each of the four varieties contributes. The blend was created by choosing only the best barrels for each variety which were painstakingly combined to achieve a wine of supreme depth and balance. This wine was unfined and unfiltered to preserve every subtlety possible. Each limited installment will only be produced when the fruit demands.

This exclusive “Trilogy Pack” is available on their website at a discounted price for the 3-bottle pack.

Flat Creek Estate has been named one of Food & Wine’s top 50 Most Amazing Wine Experiences in America, stating “arguably Texas’s best wines [are] at this Hill Country estate.”

If you are in the Austin area, you need to check out Flat Creek Estate. With all they have to offer, you might even make it a full-day outing. Otherwise, check out Flat Creek Estate on-line. Texas is indeed making great wines! Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Samples Provided by Flat Creek Estate Winery via CURICH | WEISS

Behind the Cork™ - Three Great Wines to Enjoy with Traditional Italian Christmas Meals

Riva Leone Gavi GOCG ($14.99) - From the Gavi area of Piedmont in Italy, this wine is produced from 100% Cortese grapes. Fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks and aged in steel for 2-3 months before bottling.

This Riva Leone Gavi is a very pale yellow-green in color with very delicate aromas of citrus, lime and green apple. On the palate, this light-bodied wine has flavors of light citrus and melon, bright acidity and a soft, light finish.

Gavi is a classic starter that is crisp and immensely fresh. The mineral and citrus notes allow it to pair well with seafood dishes, as it complement and accentuate the salty-mineral flavors of shellfish and seafood.


Riva Leone Barbera DOC ($11.99) - From Piedmont Italy comes another of the classic Italian wines - Barbera.

This Riva Leone Barbera is a medium ruby in color with classic aromas of cherry and dried herbs. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine has flavors of tart cherry, a hint of black pepper and good acidity that finishes with fruity zip.

Barbera pairs well with meat-filled pasta, the medium tannins and bright acidity will match with the richness of fresh pasta.


Acquesi Asti Spumante ($17.99) - This Italian sparkling wine is produced from 100% Moscato. It is a sweet sparkling wine at just 7% alcohol by volume and 95 g/L residual sugar making it a sweet sparkling wine.

Its pale gold color and greenish hue leads to complex floral aromas of fresh tree fruits, honeycomb and exotic spices. On the palate it is fresh, sweet and persistent with a lingering, sweet fruity finish.

While this can be enjoyed with cheese and spicy Asian foods, it is most classically paired with desserts such as pastries, fruit tarts, cakes and butter creams. A perfect way to end a wonderful meal!

Each of these wonderful wines is imported by Mack & Schuhle and widely available and, at these prices, are a great fit as Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. Cheers and Happy Holidays!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Samples Provided by Mack & Schuhle

Behind the Cork™ - Albert Bichot Crémant de Bourgogne Sparkling Wines

In 1831, Bernard Bichot founded a wine trading business in his name in Monthélie, France. His son, Hippolyte, succeeded him and bought the first grape vines in Volnay, France. His son, Albert Bichot, the first to bear the name, gave the family business new momentum in the late 19th century and settled in the centre of Beaune (the center of Burgundy wine production ) once and for all in 1912. The Albert Bichot winery indeed has deep roots in France.

The notation on the label of these two sparkling wines of “Crémant de Bourgogne” indicates the appellation for sparkling white and rosé wines of Burgundy in France.

Sparkling wines labeled “Crémant de Bourgogne” must be produced from a minimum of 30% of any combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and/or Pinot Noir with no more than 30% Gamay included in any wine, and made in the methode traditionelle.

Albert Bichot Brut Rosé ($31)

This Brut Rosé is produced from Pinot Noir (80%), Chardonnay and Gamay (less than 10%) that are vinified separately and aged for 9 months. It is then stored on lees for 12 months with a dosage of 10 gm/L.

This Brut Rosé is medium salmon in color with delicate aromas of red fruit and citrus. It is very delicate on the palate with light strawberry and candied-cherry flavors, balanced acidity and a light finish.

Albert Bichot Brut Réserve ($31)

This Brut Réserve is produced from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay and Aligote. Each varietal is vinified separately and aged for 9 months. It is then stored on lees for at least 12 months with a dosage of 7-8 gm/L. This sparkling Brut is pale copper in color with aromas of peach and citrus. On the palate it has delicate fresh fruit flavors, balanced acidity and a light finish.

These two Brut sparkling wines from Albert Bichot are perfect for celebrating the holidays, or any time! They are a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Samples Provided by Albert Bichot Winery via IT Public Relations

Behind the Cork™ - Flora Springs Holiday Wines

2019 Flora Springs Napa Valley Red Blend ($95)

This is one of Flora Springs’ most popular holiday designs yet, their “Gnome Carolers,” spreading holiday cheer all around. The design is inspired by General Manager Nat Komes’ memory of his grandmother Flora, who loved to carol during the holidays. They are also offering special bottles with “Two Turtle Doves,” “Quail Greetings,” and “Happy New Year.”

Each bottle is meticulously etched and painted by hand, with capsules and back labels applied one-by-one. Each bottle is absolute perfection inside and out.

While these holiday bottles from Flora Springs are very beautiful, the wines are also exceptional. The 2019 Napa Valley Holiday Red Bordeaux Blend consists primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, combining fruit from two outstanding, sustainably-farmed vineyard sources: the Komes Vineyard in Rutherford and Crossroads Vineyard in Oakville. It was aged 18 months in French (70%) and American (30%) oak barrels. And, with just 230 case produced, this is indeed a rare treat!

This Flora Springs Red Blend is deep ruby in color with beautiful aromas of black fruit, tobacco leaf and cedar. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has rich dark fruit flavors, wonderfully soft tannin, balanced acidity and a smooth finish that just keep on going. It’s so good you only need to pair it with a nice wine glass!

This exceptional Flora Springs 2019 Napa Valley Holiday Red Bordeaux Blend is a real treat for the holidays as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Flora Springs Winery