Green has become glamorous. From high fashion, to luxury travel, eco-friendly has become an entire lifestyle, especially among those with the cash to spend.
A recent study by Synovate, a marketing research company, found 73 percent of those surveyed with an income over $75,000 said they care about purchasing environmentally friendly products. Of those, 92.5 percent said they would be more likely to purchase a luxury wine if it used sustainable techniques in growing the grapes and crafting the wine.
One company taking note of that sentiment is Terlato Wine Group, owner of wineries in Napa, Sonoma and Santa Barbara, Calif., including such labels as Chimney Rock, Rutherford Hill and Sanford. From growing the grapes, to crafting the wine, to creating a healthy environment for their workers, to using recycled shipping materials, Terlato believes small steps can add up to make a genuine difference.
Image: Terlato Wine Group Chairman Anthony Terlato and head winemaker Doug Fletcher check the progress of young vines in their sustainably grown estate vineyard in Napa. (PRNewsFoto/Terlato Wine Group) NAPA VALLEY, CA UNITED STATES 03/14/2008
In fact, Doug Fletcher, Terlato's head winemaker, is interested in looking at the whole. "To me, sustainability means we should look at all the things that we do and how those things affect the eco-system."
Fletcher warns against assuming organic or biodynamic mean more eco-friendly. He says many vineyards spray grapes with sulfur to protect against mildew because sulfur is naturally occurring and thus adheres to organic guidelines.
However, Fletcher says that when sprayed, sulfur can kill all kinds of beneficial insects. Terlato does not spray with sulfur, but instead uses a targeted compound that works on mildew alone and doesn't harm insects. It's man-made, and two times more expensive than sulfur, but in the end, Fletcher believes it's better for the environment.
Gourmet food is also going green -- the right way. If we consider the environment when buying organic veggies and antibiotic-free chicken, it only makes sense to consider the environment when purchasing luxury items, like caviar. The Little Pearl, a Massachusetts-based caviar purveyor, developed a technology to farm fish on land in greenhouses.
By doing so, it alleviates the pressure on wild fisheries, reduces the amount of feed necessary to farm caviar, and helps protect endangered sturgeon in other parts of the world. When asked if sustainability means sacrificing quality, The Little Pearl's founder and CEO, Richard Brauman, says quite the contrary.
"To me, fresh and sustainable caviar is more luxurious than traditional caviar because when a customer indulges in the exquisite experience of eating it on blini with creme fraiche and champagne, they no longer have to worry about health or the environment."
Like Brauman, Joe Whinney, the CEO/founder of an organic and fair trade-certified gourmet chocolate company called Theo Chocolate, believes social responsibility only enhances his product.
"There's no luxury in products that harm many and harm the environment in order to satisfy an elite few," he says. "Some cocoa farmers earn less than a dollar a day. How can you enjoy a three or four dollar bonbon knowing others are being harmed?"
All marketing terminology and scientific jargon aside, going green is really very simple. It's about the environment. "Sustainable, organic or biodynamic, we all want to head to the same spot," Fletcher says. "The objective is to leave the environment in which we find ourselves in better condition than we found it."
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Gourmet Goes Green: Study Confirms Luxury Wanted With Good Conscience
Perrier-Jouet(R) Unveils Its First Tailor-Made Champagne
Iconic Champagne House Celebrates Spring with the Debut of Perrier-Jouet By and For
On March 20, the first day of spring, Perrier-Jouet unveiled its first ever tailor-made Champagne, Perrier-Jouet By and For. The bespoke Champagne, of which only 100 cases have been allocated worldwide, goes beyond the prestige cuvee to become a once-in-a-lifetime experience that exemplifies true luxury. Perrier-Jouet will offer guests a chance to go deep into the heart of the House, where they will learn its closely guarded production secrets from the Chef de Caves, Herve Deschamps -- one of only seven House Cellar Masters to hold this esteemed position in two centuries.
"Perrier-Jouet has always placed innovation, integrity and quality at the heart of its undertaking," says Olivier Cavil, Director of Communication for Perrier-Jouet. "Since the beginning, the House has worked with small volumes in limited production with a dedication to the art of Champagne creation. The custom Champagne personifies this philosophy."
The proud owner of the custom case and four guests will be invited to the Maison Belle Epoque, Perrier-Jouet's private guesthouse situated on the legendary Avenue de Champagne in Epernay since 1811.
The Maison, which has never before opened its doors to the public, is home to nearly 200 original pieces from the Art Nouveau movement. Among the collection are works from Master Glassworker Emile Galle, who in 1902 designed the anemones that adorn each of the prestige Perrier-Jouet cuvees.
Cellar Master Deschamps will invite the guest into the inner sanctum of his workshop for a private discussion that goes beyond palate preferences to determine wider tastes and desires. Once the 'Champagne personality' has been discovered, Deschamps will select a variety of different Champagnes for the guest to sample. This meeting will yield a personalized Champagne crafted by Deschamps that caters to the express preferences of the individual.
"The recipient of this truly unique experience will not only enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the storied heritage of Perrier-Jouet, but will also bear witness to the first custom Champagne, another milestone in our rich history," comments Deschamps.
In creating a tailor-made Champagne, the Cellar Master will first choose the foundation that will give shape to the Champagne; this will be comprised of the most exclusive Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2000 cuvee. Hailing from the village of Cremant, one of the most celebrated grands crus in Champagne, the Blanc de Blancs 2000 is composed of fruit picked only in the best years from two legendary parcels, Bourrons-Leroy and Bourrons du Midi.
After Deschamps proposes several samples of Blanc de Blancs 2000 that best suit the recipients palate, the most crucial technical step in the custom process arrives -- the creation of the liqueur d'expedition. It is by changing the different combinations of wines blended with different proportions of sugar that creates liqueur d'expedition, and results in the Champagne's character, whether it be more intense or ethereal, velvety or dry, round or sharp. Deschamps will play with many possibilities to create a few drops of precious nectar to blend with the Blanc de Blancs 2000.
Beneath Maison Belle Epoque, 100 alcoves have been specially built to hold the cases, one for each future owner. From the moment it is reserved, each alcove will bear the name of its beneficiary, awaiting their arrival at Maison Belle Epoque.
After aging the Blanc de Blancs 2000 for seven years, the 12 bottles will lie for an additional year in their dedicated alcove to give the liqueur d'expedition sufficient time to marry with the Champagne. To fully complete the process, the beneficiary will be asked to cosign each of the labels intended for the 12 future bottles with Herve Deschamp. The exceptional bottles will be delivered in a personalized case to mark this extraordinary experience.
To celebrate the launch of Perrier-Jouet By and For, the Champagne House has joined forces with the Maison Van Cleef & Arpels to create a lavish brooch that takes its inspiration from the Emile Galle anemone that adorn the bottle. This bespoke cut, which was created exclusively for Perrier-Jouet, is designed in white gold and set with 450 round diamonds. This brooch will be available by order from the Van Cleef & Arpels boutiques in select countries.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Concierge At Large, Inc. Dubbed "The Ultimate Insider"
The March 2008 San Diego Magazine cover story features Concierge At Large, Inc. as the "ultimate insider on the luxury scene." It was great fun to be interviewed for the in-depth piece, written by Julia Beeson Polloreno the magazine's Associate Editor.
To read the full story, click here.
Turn on the Shower, Turn on the TV
Vu Technologies, a California-based luxury technology firm, has introduced the Vu Bathroom LCD display. The 15-inch waterproof LCD allows the viewer to relax and have a shower while watching a movie, sports event, news or TV show.
"We believe that luxury in the bathroom does not have to stop at that luxurious shower, the towel rail or the under floor heating," said Niyoshi Sanghvi a company spokesperson.
More information can be found online at http://www.technologies.vu/
