Top Tips From the Wine Cellar: 2020 brings bubbly celebrations, proposed tariffs

The upcoming New Year celebrations once again bring festive spirits and fun opportunities to share and enjoy delicious wines with friends. But this year also brings a more alarming moment for wine drinkers. Time is of the essence to oppose the possible January 2020 imposition of devastating 100% import tariffs on European wines and other agricultural products.

The crisis arose earlier this year after the World Trade Organization appeals court upheld a finding that European nations are improperly subsidizing production of their Airbus planes. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) promptly responded by proposing tariffs up to 100% of the value of European Union cheeses, meats, olive oil, yogurt, whiskey, brandy and wines imported to the United States. The USTR will accept public comments on the proposal until January 13.

Take a moment now and go to government regulations at regulations.gov/document? D=USTR-2019-0003-2518.

Click on “Comment Now” to tell the USTR that you oppose placing 100% tariffs on imported European wines, cheeses and other food products. This trade dispute involves commercial aircraft, not consumer products. Retaliatory tariffs should be placed on imported European aircraft.

Remind the USTR that the proposed wine tariffs would harm and unfairly penalize numerous innocent small businesses, especially hardworking importers, distributors, retailers and restaurants specializing in European products. Importers simply cannot afford to pay 100% tariffs upfront to clear goods through customs, so European wine orders will be canceled.

Consequently, inventories will not be replenished, and, without inventory to offer at competitive prices, small to medium- size firms in the distribution chain of European wines could be rapidly forced out of business. Thousands of jobs would be eliminated.

Those outside the wine business also will feel the impact. Without reasonably priced imported bottles, American consumers lose access to delicious European wines with traditions stretching back literally thousands of years. Imagine what it would be like next year seeing only empty shelves and prohibitively expensive bottles instead of wide selections of European wines.

In short, imposing onerous 100% tariffs on European wine imports would create an economic and consumer disaster with consequences felt for decades to come. Don’t let it happen without at least taking a stand.

After expressing your opinion to the USTR, enjoy the following tasty bottles with your New Year’s celebrations. Cheers!

For a fruity, yet bone-dry sparkling wine at a marvelous price, try the delightful N.V. Vignobles Bulliat, Crémant de Bourgogne “Brut Nature,” France (Luxury 81079; $17.99). Based in the Beaujolais region, grower Noël Bulliat and his son Loïc typically specialize in Gamay grapes for delicious red wines. But in this case, they use Chardonnay grapes grown in clay and limestone soils to craft a tasty sparkling wine. After harvesting by hand, the grapes ferment normally for a dry white wine. Then secondary fermentation with méthode traditionelle in the bottle creates fine bubbles and enticing yeasty notes. On the palate, crisp citrus and frothy pear flavors balance with fresh acidity and subtle creamy accents. The dry finish lingers deliciously. Highly Recommended.

If you prefer your bubbly wine with a kiss of well-balanced sweetness, then try the N.V. Champagne Moutard Père et Fils, Grande Cuvée Demi-Sec, France (Luxury 47833; $29.99). The wine comes from hand-harvested Pinot Noir grapes with a fine balance of ripe fruitiness and fresh acidity. This provides a perfect foundation for creating a delightful sparkling wine. Fine beads of bubbles lace this wine’s golden color. In the glass, honeysuckle and pineapple aromas open to fruity citrus and pineapple flavors. The fruity, mouthwatering finish lingers pleasurably. Highly Recommended.

The 2017 Héritiers du Comte Lafon, Mâcon-Villages, France (Luxury 8100; $23.99) offers a delicious Chardonnay-based wine from one of Burgundy’s most accomplished growers, Dominique Lafon. His organic approach delivers delicious fruit with fine balance. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts. The wine then ages in large wooden foudre vats and demi-muid barrels, none of which are new oak. In the glass, lovely, ripe fruit and light earthy notes lead to ripe apple and citrus flavors. The wine’s ample concentration balances with crisp acidity and uplifting freshness through the dry finish. The wine provides a good choice with oysters on the half-shell or steamed shrimp for New Year’s Day. Highly Recommended.

The delightful 2018 Marcel Lapierre, “Raisins Gaulois” Vin de France, France (Luxury 81003; $17.99) comes from brother-­and-sister team Mathieu and Camille Lapierre. They carry on the efforts of their late father, Pierre, who pioneered organic grape growing in Beaujolais. Their Gamay grapes grow without synthetic chemical applications. After harvest by hand, the fruit ferments in whole clusters with indigenous native yeasts. Bottling occurs with minimal added sulfites. In the glass, bright raspberry and blueberry aromas open to juicy, pure flavors with terrific freshness. This delightful wine will please just about every taste, and it makes a versatile selection for New Year’s Day meals. Highly Recommended.