Denver-based PL360 Beverage Partners imported a new line of wines inspired by the PBS series “Downton Abbey” into the United States. Launching Nov. 1, New York-based Wines That Rock's Downton Abbey Wine Collection features two blends from the Bordeaux region of France: a Blanc white wine and a Claret red wine.
In creating this collection, Downton Abbey Wines looked to Grands Vins de Bordeaux, a family-owned winery with more than 130 years of wine-making experience in the Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux, France. Wine-maker Jean-Marc Dulong enlisted time-honored wine-making practices as well as modern techniques to create a collection of finely balanced wines. Downton Abbey Blanc is a light and crisp white blend, while Downton Abbey Claret is a medium-bodied red wine with bright fruit and a silky finish, he said.
“We are excited to launch the Downton Abbey Wine Collection, made in the finest Bordeaux wine-making tradition,” said William Zysblat, co-creator of the wines, in a statement. “Our collaboration with the Dulong family made perfect sense, as we wanted the same vines, soil and region used to produce the wines from the Downton era. Having Dulong as our wine-maker allows us to create accessible wines that we truly believe the Crawley Family would have been proud to serve at their table.”
Dulong added in a statement: “It is exciting for me to think about my Bordelaise ancestors crafting their clarets and blancs in the Downton Abbey era. Their know-how, passed down to me through five generations, has inspired my own wine-making. With Downton Abbey Wines, I have strived to capture the essence of Bordeaux in this collection of delicious and approachable wines.”
Downton Abbey Wines are available online at www.wine.com and www.downtonabbeywine.com. They also will be available at specialty wine retailers and supermarkets, including Cost Plus World Market, nationwide for $14.99 for a 750-ml bottle.
