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Acclaimed wine writer and Burgundy expert Pierre Rovani is our featured speaker

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We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce that acclaimed taster, writer, and Burgundy expert Pierre Rovani (above) will be joining us for both the Saturday night dinner and Sunday morning seminar.

Some may remember Pierre’s years at the Wine Advocate where he was handpicked by Robert Parker to cover Burgundy for the publication.

Since 2005, he has served as the president of Remoissenet Père et Fils, one of Beaune’s oldest and most revered estates. He will be presenting a flight of Remoissenet wines at both gatherings.

Chambolle-Musigny seminar with Eric Asimov and Raj Parr was a knock-out!

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One of the most exciting gathering at this year’s festival was the Chambolle-Musigny tasting and seminar with New York Times wine critic Eric Asimov (above, right) and leading sommelier and author Raj Parr (left) — two of the leading Burgundy experts in the U.S. today.

Brett Zimmerman MS, founder of the Boulder Burgundy Festival (center), presented them at this year’s marquee event, which was held in the ballroom of the St. Julien Hotel.

As we’ve seen in years past, it’s always exciting to have such brilliant presenters for the seminar (last year, we were joined by Master of Wine Jancis Robinson and legacy Volnay producer Étienne de Montille).

But this year, the standing-room crowd of 150 + persons (including another leading wine writer, Jeb Dunnuck, and Master of Wine Ashley Hausman Vaughters) just seemed rapt by both the speakers and the wines themselves — an extraordinary flight of wines and styles from Chambolle-Musigny.

Where Raj delivered a superb talk on the appellation itself, including a virtual climb up the côte and his description of how the soils change from the bottom to the top of the hill, Eric offered invaluable insights into how perceptions of these wines has changed over a generation of Burgundy lovers. There couldn’t have been a more perfect balance between the technical and geeky, the sensorial and the intellectual.

What a great seminar!

We still haven’t lined up the speakers for the 2018 festival but this one is going to be tough to beat…

Old and Rare Burgundy at Frasca with Danny Haas (Vineyard Brands), Eric Asimov (New York Times) and too many Master Sommeliers to count!

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There’s a running joke each year at the Boulder Burgundy Festival. Ever since Master Sommelier Brett Zimmerman began inviting leading wine writers to speak at the gathering — Ray Isle (Food & Wine), Master of Wine Jancis Robinson (Financial Times), and this year’s keynote speaker Eric Asimov (New York Times), they all say the same thing.

“It’s my first time to Boulder and my first time dining at Frasca,” they all have said, “and I’ve come on the one night of the year that Frasca is a French restaurant.”

They are referring to the fact that Frasca, one of the most acclaimed fine dining destinations in the U.S., is actually an Italian restaurant with a focus on the foods and wines of Friuli.

Of course, it’s no secret that chef and co-owner of the restaurant Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson studied and cooked in France before his interest shifted to Italy and Friuli more specifically. He also cooked at Thomas Keller’s French Laundry in California where he met Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey (above, right) who would become his business partner when they opened Frasca together in 2004.

So it’s safe to say that guests at the festival’s Saturday night dinner were in good hands!

It was quite an evening: Between an unbelievable selection of old and rare Burgundy selected by legendary importer Danny Haas (Vineyard Brands), keynote speaker Eric Asimov, and too many Master Sommeliers to count, the event was one of the festival’s best ever.

Photo by M. Thurk Photography.

Boulder Burgundy Festival Day 2: Scenes from the Paulée Lunch and Dinner with Eric Asimov

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Jenn and Brett Zimmerman welcomed New York Times wine critic Eric Asimov (above, right) last night to Frasca where guests dined with the wine writer and American legacy importer Danny Haas of Vineyard Brands, whose wines were featured at the gathering.

And the weather couldn’t have been more perfect or more picturesque for yesterday’s event at the Flagstaff House with its sweeping views. Here are a few glimpses from yesterday’s Paulée-inspired lunch.

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Festival founder Brett Zimmerman welcomes keynote speaker Eric Asimov

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What a thrill for the festival organizers to welcome wine writer Eric Asimov last night at the Exceptional Burgundy Dinner last night at PMG restaurant, where owner Emily Gold and her team served a truly superb French country-style meal.

That’s festival founder Brett Zimmerman MS (right, standing) presenting the wines and introducing Eric (left) to guests.

There are just a few spots left for Eric’s Sunday seminar on the wines of Chambolle-Musigny. He will be joined by sommelier Raj Parr for the discussion and tasting.

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Welcome sponsor, Boulder Lifestyle Magazine!

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The organizers of the Boulder Burgundy Festival welcome sponsor Boulder Lifestyle Magazine!

From the Boulder Lifestyle Magazine website:

Started in 2013, this monthly publication was created exclusively for and about the residents of Boulder, CO.

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce our vision for the magazine. Our mission is simple, we hope to play a small role in helping the community flourish, by producing a private magazine filled with news and special events that take place each and every month. On many levels we operate a little differently than your typical magazine. One of the most exciting facets of our publication is that it truly belongs to the community. Not only is Boulder Lifestyle exclusively for and about the residents, it is the true pulse of what’s happening and important to you.

Every month we will be highlighting different articles such as family spotlight, home of the month and a business spotlight. We will also inform you of the latest hot spots in the Boulder area. Special featured spotlights will include the history of Boulder, students of the month, hometown heroes, and how the community of Boulder “pays it forward”.

Festival kicks off with a “lights out” tasting of spectacular old Burgundy!

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What an extraordinary flight of wines to kick off the festival!

This morning Jason Smith MS, Jay Fletcher MS, Ashley Hausman Vaughters MW, and Brett Zimmerman MS (below, from left) presented a spectacular lineup of “old and rare” wines.

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It was also great to have acclaimed wine writer Jeb Dunnuck (below) with us for the tasting.

Most agreed, as Brett put it, that the 1988 Clos de Tart was a “lights out” wine. An unforgettable flight and tasting.

Stay tuned for more…

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Welcome back, sponsor Audi Flatirons!

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The organizers of the Boulder Burgundy Festival are thrilled to welcome back sponsor Audi Flatirons!

From the Audi Flatirons website:

Audi Flatirons is Colorado’s premier Audi dealership. We invite you to experience our brand new showroom in Broomfield, along with the latest from Audi. Our ultimate goal goes beyond just selling and servicing Audis. We are committed to building lasting relationships with our clients. We believe in the idea of delivering a truly exceptional customer service experience, from the first mile to the last.

For the third consecutive year, Audi Flatirons has been named to the exclusive Audi Magna Society. This distinction is awarded to a limited number of Audi dealers that achieve exceptional performance. To earn Magna Society recognition, dealers must demonstrate an exceptional level of customer service as well as strong business performance.

Image via the Audi Flatirons Facebook.

Welcome back, sponsor Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP!

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Above, from left: George Berg (Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti managing and founding partner), Kathleen Alt (partner), Patrick Perrin (partner), and Brett Zimmerman (Boulder Wine Merchant).

The Boulder Burgundy Festival is thrilled to welcome back sponsor Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP, one of our most cherished partners and friends.

From the Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti website.

Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP is a full service law firm offering a wide range of legal services to both corporate clients and individuals alike. Since our founding in 2001 with 5 attorneys, we have grown to 40 attorneys specializing in a variety of different practice areas. The attorneys at BHGR offer a depth of experience and expertise in the law related to business, construction, criminal defense, the environment and water, litigation, public entities, real estate, trusts and estates. In addition to our main Boulder office, we also have an office in Denver to better reach and serve our clients along the Front Range and across the country.

Although we may have grown in size, we continue to provide the same personalized attention that we always have in a relaxed atmosphere. We pride ourselves on having legal knowledge and experience that matches our more expensive Denver-based and national competitors, but unlike these larger firms we treat our clients like the neighbors, business professionals, and friends that they are. We also know that one size doesn’t fit all. So, we offer advice tailored to meet to our clients’ individualized legal needs and goals. We place a premium on building long standing client relationships and on achieving our clients’ goals in a timely and cost effective manner.

Image via the Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti Facebook.

Welcome back, sponsor Jennifer Egbert Real Estate!

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The organizers of the Boulder Burgundy Festival are thrilled to welcome back sponsor Jennifer Egbert and Jennifer Egbert Real Estate, one of the Boulder area’s premier realtors.

From the Jennifer Egbert Real Estate website:

Jennifer Egbert is an award-winning, top-producing Boulder Realtor with over eleven years of experience. Her commitment to her clients, enthusiasm and determination, drive her to be at the forefront of the real estate industry. Jennifer is a licensed residential agent that specializes in the Boulder, Colorado market. She is the leading expert in Boulder Luxury neighborhoods, the best builders, and most current market conditions. Her advantage is not only her expertise and unparalleled marketing but also her ability to guide her clients through the transaction with the least amount of stress and anxiety as possible.

Welcome back, Jennifer and team! We are looking forward to tasting with you!

Image via the Jennifer Egbert Real Estate Facebook.