Episode 165: Rhône Wine & Art: A Feast for the Senses
Côtes du Rhône wines were recently paired with London artist Joe Cruz‘s art for a creative tasting. Sommelier, wine writer, educator and prophet, Jonathan Cristaldi, and Rhône Valley Wines Trade Marketing Manager, Eileen Fabunan, were the orchestrators of this feast for the senses, and they joined forces with us to take us behind the scenes. This was a unique, elevated wine discussion that we know you will want to experience for yourself in one way or another.
This Episode’s Esteemed Experts
In this episode we are having a wine and art conversation with Eileen Fabunan, the Rhône Valley Wines Trade Marketing Manager, and wine writer, educator and prophet, Jonathan Cristaldi.
This interview was recorded immediately following an event held on May 15, 2018 at Hinoki & The Bird in Los Angeles. It included an art workshop hosted by Joe Cruz where participants were able to create a chalk portrait under the guidance of the artist. Three stations were set up to discover a range of Côtes du Rhône wines with Jonathan. Cruz’s Inter Rhône creations reflect the scenic, textured terroir of the Rhône valley.
Eileen Fabunan: Rhône Valley Wines Ambassador (1:20)
Eileen lived in France for nearly three years, and has cultivated a strong proficiency in French language and culture. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and during her studies she participated in an undergrad exchange program in Grenoble, France.
Eileen then pursued her Master’s Degree at the École Supérieure de Commerce Dijon Bourgogne (Burgundy School of Business), and specialized in the international wine & spirits trade. Simultaneously, she received an Advanced Certificate from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) from London. She also obtained training in viticulture, enology and sensory analysis at the Jules Guyot Institute of Enology in Burgundy, France.
Following her graduate studies, Eileen lived in the Northern Rhône Valley and worked for an esteemed estate winery. In 2009, she moved back to the U.S. to represent Rhône Valley Wines, on behalf of the trade association, Inter-Rhône. She is responsible for creating and implementing national on-off trade promotional programs in the US, including educational seminars.
In 2011, Eileen expanded her expertise in the international regulatory aspects of the wine trade and completed a program in Comparative Wine Law between the U.S. and European Union at the University of Reims Champagne Ardenne.
Rhône Roundup (2:40)
Eileen first gives us some important takeaways on geography, geology, grapes, and regional distinctions that are essential to Rhône studies.
Jonathan Cristaldi: Côtes du Rhône Event Host & Sommelier (6:45)
Jonathan Cristaldi is the Editor-in-Chief at WineAccess.com and also a Contributing Writer for Food & Wine. His foray into wine began in NYC, where Cristaldi played host and sommelier at his highly-lauded experiential Noble Rot wine events. Time Out New York has dubbed him a “Wine Prophet,” and he’s been featured in The New York Times for a viral video fine-dining experience on a New York City subway car.
He has served as the Deputy Editor for Tasting Panel Magazine and The SOMM Journal, two of the largest wine and spirits trade publications in the U.S. His work has also appeared in Los Angeles Magazine and LA Mag’s Liquid LA blog, Vivino.com, Liquor.com, First We Feast, Thrillist (National Edition), Tasting Table (National Edition), Time Out LA and Psychology Today. Cristaldi is WSET Advanced and regularly hosts wine events alongside his fellow Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine.
Jonathan on Setting the Event Stage (7:59)
Here is where Jonathan talks about getting people thinking about wine’s characteristics in relationship to Joe Cruz’s art. This particular event focused on the minerality aspect of wine and integrated the way some of Joe’s art is created from chalk.
Jonathan also helps us understand how he paired a piece of art with a Syrah/Grenache blend while bringing to life the artist’s process. He says the idea is to ignite different parts of your brain while drawing with a piece of chalk in one hand, and with a glass of wine nearby. It’s a different way to stir the senses.
Notes From Joe Cruz on Wine & Art
“For this series of work I was intrigued by the history of Côtes du Rhône, particularly the story of the relics of St. Valentine, which were purchased from Rome by Maximilian Richard in 1868, it was believed that the relics would protect the vines. I wanted to give the artwork a sense of religious iconography, as these figure are the modern protectors of the vineyards.”
What inspired you about Côtes du Rhône?
“It’s an honour to work with Côtes du Rhône which has long history in Avignon. I visited for the first time last year and fell in love with the wine and food. Working on this project has been a real pleasure and I have been lucky enough to be invited to Avignon for launch.”
How is art + wine a good match?
“The passion, history and craft go hand in hand.” ~ Joe Cruz, 2018
On the Creativity of Rhône Wine Events (14:00)
In this segment, Eileen and Johathan discuss how the warmth and generosity of the wines and the creativity of the wine event planners, make these unique trade events something to anticipate with excitement. He convinces us these events truly are feasts!
Even the people pouring at these events are engaging, knowledgeable (some legendary), and make these events enjoyable, memorable, and multidimensional. By promoting the wines in such a creative and relatable way, real connections are made between the wine makers, wine buyers, and in the end, consumers.
We should also let you know that we cannot confirm or deny how much, if any, chalk was actually eaten at this event by the wine buyers. But we had to ask.
Tasty Trade Tales (23:07)
We asked about some of the most ridiculous events Johnathan and Eileen have ever experienced. They gave up the goods.
Jonathan talks about a crazy event he threw at the Waldorf Astoria involving smuggling Champagne into the hotel via suitcases, and cocktails created in the restroom. Eileen tells us about a Rhône Odyssey event, again, highlighting the elevated creativity and media combined to evoke some of the most incredible wine experiences and emotions.
Rhône Wine and Art Takeaways
First, thank you to
- Jonathan Cristaldi
- Eileen Fabunan of Rhône Valley Wines
- Joe Cruz
- Stephanie Teuwen of Teuwen Communications who connected all of us!
Also, if you’d like to learn more – a LOT more – about Rhône wine, please check out http://www.rhone-wines.com/en/discover.
Patreon Love (36:04)
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Connect: (37:40)
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Reminder: A Killer of a Book Club
#W25BookClub Announcement!
Tangled Vines : Greed, Murder, Obsession, and an Arsonist in the Vineyards of California, by Frances Dinkelspiel. This book was selected by our very first patron Meg in South Dakota, and she will be leading the book discussion in July. Stay tuned for that episode and go buy yourself (or borrow) the book. We all have plenty of time to indulge in the story and share some opinions.
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