
Opici Family Distributing of Connecticut hosted a sales team tasting event at The Study Hotel in New Haven in March welcoming new French selections. Champagnes & Chateaux USA wines were presented by Celine Vipperman, Market Manager showcasing selections of estate Bordeaux and Champagne. Aurelian Fiardet of Terroirs Originels presented a range of small production French wines from Champagne to the Rhone Valley, among regions. Each imported wine is made using fully sustainable and organic methods, with the majority of producers making less than 5,000 cases in total production per year. Wines showcased include Dourthe Bordeaux, Château Pay La Tour, Grand Barrail La Mazelle Figneac, Château La Garde, Château Belgrave, Château Lombard Champagne, Domaine Alain Mathias Bourgogne Epineuil, Domaine Gaujal Picpoul de Pinet, Domaine de la Biscarelle Rhône Valley, Domaine de Joy Gascogne Blanc, Robert Perrond Beaujolais and Château de Julienas Beaujolais. Also highlighted during the tasting from Champagnes & Chateau was the Champagne Canard-Duchêne line, still owned by the Thienot family whose Champagnes hails from its historic house dating back to the mid-1800s. With one bottle being opened every 15 seconds, it is the most widely-consumed Champagne across France.
- All from Opici Family Distributing except where indicated: Tony Lombardozzi; Josh Rivera; Henry Lavado; Jennifer Nosal; Anna Lisa Stockwell; Celine Vipperman, Market Manager, Champagnes & Chateaux USA; John Williams; Renee Reignier; Joel Baird; Michelle Funaro; Melissa Lyons; Liz Pliska; Hugo Sanchez; and Aurelien Fiardet, Export Manager/U.S. Brand Ambassador, Terroirs Originels.
- New wines include Dourthe Bordeaux, Château Pay La Tour, Grand Barrail La Mazelle Figneac, Château La Garde, Château Belgrave, the full line of Canard Duchene Champagne, Organic P181, Leonie, Leonie Rose, Vintage Champagne 2012 and Charles VII Blanc de Blanc.
- Celine Vipperman, Market Manager, Champagnes & Chateaux USA, and Renée Reignier, Director of Sales, Opici Family Distributing of Connecticut.