I had the pleasure to experience Porter & Plot wine at their LA launch held at the Petit Ermitage Hotel. Porter & Plot creates wines of exceptional quality from lesser known varietals and unique appellations with a distinctive story. With a focus on the details, winemakers create limited-production artisan wines to bring drinkers first time access to micro-production bottles with the same ease of availability you would experience from a macro-producer. Through simple, balanced and approachable wines, their goal is to make it easy to explore the undiscovered world of wine and enjoy the journey.
The event was wonderful and held on the hotel rooftop in a candle lit atmosphere. Guests were treated to a journey through the different regions of the Porter & Plot Wine – each guest received a “flight ticket” to get them through the below stations. Each station embodied a different aspect of the wine experience and delivered a full experience with the accompaniment food pairings. I started first at the Aroma Adventure station featuring the Porter & Plot 2013 Columbia Valley Pinot Gris. At this station- Jars of pineapple, sage, rosemary, apples, pears, green grass, honey, vanilla extract and green peppers were some of the scents that were experienced at this station. Food that was paired with this wine was the ‘Roasted Red Pepper with Balsamic and Basil’ and ‘Burrata with Cumquat, Celery and Walnut Pesto. The second stop was the Texture Trek station, which featured the Porter & Plot 2012 Edna Valley Single Vineyard Pinot Noir. Here guests went through a variation of textures that translate to different wines – the textures consisted of wool, silk, satin, felt, sandpaper and burlap. Food paired at this station was the ‘5 Spice braised pork belly with quince-grazed turnips’ and ‘roasted pumpkin skewers with lemon & mint’. The third stop was all about the food- which I love-the Locavore Voyage which featured the Porter & Plot 2013 Costieres de Nimes. Here guests were treated to local produce and cheese that complimented this wine. Food paired at this station was ‘Pomegranate glazed lamb loin’ and ‘Crab salad on endive with apple saffron vinaigrette’. Needless to say the experience was amazing creative and educational. I am a Porter & Plot fan.
PORTER & PLOT: EXPOSES THE UNDISCOVERED WORLD OF UNIQUE WINE
REGIONS THROUGH SMALL-LOT OFFERINGS
New wine brand makes limited production gems with distinctive origins from around the world an accessible luxury for less than $20.
Los Angeles, CA (February 25, 2014) – Fine wine is often seen as a luxury only fully understood by experts, leaving the average consumer feeling lost and overwhelmed. Porter & Plot aims to bring clarity to the perplexing wine world through their line of limited-production wines, launching on February 26, 2014. Their product portfolio will feature a diverse collection of small-lot wines, each typically 1,000 cases or less, that showcase the distinct land on which they originate. Smaller AVA wines are currently hard to find for most wine consumers and are rarely available for under $20 – something Porter & Plot aims to change.
The name Porter & Plot embodies the brand’s mission to be a reliable and consistent purveyor of small lot wines, historically the domain of high-end shops and importers. The porter, or gatekeeper, guides consumers through plots, or unique regions, helping them to understand the diversity and distinct expression of land that each wine reflects. The brand will feature numerous wines with the aim to continually bring consumers’ new regions and varietals each vintage, as opposed to attempting to replicate a popular wine the next year.
Porter & Plot’s philosophy is all about discovery and attention to details – not just what type of wine it is, but also its origin. Their first selections—which include a 2013 Columbia Valley Pinot Gris, 2012 Edna Valley Single Vineyard Pinot Noir and a 2013 Costières de Nîmes – are drinking experiences that are refined and complex, yet priced to be enjoyed every day for less than $20. The offering proves that wine drinkers, whether new or experienced, never have to settle for less knowing they have a great porter.
Porter & Plot will introduce their first three varietals through interactive tastings in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles where tastemakers, experts, and wine drinkers eager to learn more will get the first taste. Each event will walk tasters through a journey that exposes them to a full sensory experience, guiding them through a whole new way to enjoy wine.
Initially at launch, Porter & Plot will be sold online through Amazon.com, Club W (www.clubw.com), and via www.porterandplot.com, in addition to select restaurants.
Best Bite- the Burrata with cumquat celery and walnut pesto paired with the Pinot Gris
