Wine & Food

Have you ever noticed how a wine changes depending on what you’re enjoying it with? Picture this scenario: one day you’re having a glass on the patio while catching up with friends and you just love the wine you are drinking! The next time you’re at the store, you are excited to buy that same bottle to pair with tonight’s meal. You slave over dinner set the table, and pour yourself a glass of wine. All of a sudden, the wine tastes completely different than you remember it. Maybe you like it more, maybe you like it less. What happened? This is the power of pairing food and wine! Creating a perfect wine pairing can be intimidating, but understanding the basics will help.

Understanding Your Palate 

Most palates discern five basic tastes: sweet, sour, umami, bitter, and salty. Sometimes you’ll see sour and acidic or umami and fat interchanged. However, a number of descriptions about wine have nothing to do with taste, but rather refer to the wine’s aromas.
Prepared with tasting notes and the wine’s label, you’ll be able to pull together enough information to create a pairing, without even tasting the wine.

Homework You’ll Actually Want to Do

Under normal circumstances, we would suggest you do this next time you order a glass of wine while sitting at the bar. But seeing that it might be a while before you’re doing that again, you can easily do this experiment at home! 

Gather your supplies – you’ll want something sweet, sour, umami, bitter, and salty. At the bar, these are all things your bartender usually has readily available as garnishes. Sweet – cherries, sour – lemon, umami – mushroom, bitter – olives, salt (self-explanatory). Pour yourself a glass of wine; any wine will do! Spend a few minutes enjoying it and familiarizing it on your palate. Now, you’re going to take a sip of your wine and taste one element at a time. Sip, then eat a cherry, and so forth, paying attention to how the wine changes with each sip. Depending on which wine you’re drinking, some of the elements will make the wine worse, and some will make the wine better. Hence, why choosing the right foods to pair with your wine is essential.

Pairing Basics

Now that we understand why pairings are important let’s talk about the basics of wine pairing. This will help you craft wine pairings with confidence on your own! 

Complementary vs Congruent Pairings 

There are two general types of pairings: complementary and congruent. A complimentary wine pairing is when you pair a wine that differs from the food, adding a complement to the food. A congruent pairing is when you pair wine with something similar to the food. For example, pairing a buttery Chardonnay with buttery popcorn is a congruent pairing –butter + butter = two similar flavor profiles. Pairing buttery popcorn with crisp, acidic Champagne is a complementary pairing– butter + acid = two different flavor profiles that work well together.

In general, 

• complementary pairings are used with red wine. 
• congruent pairings are used with white wine. 
• the wine should be sweeter or more acidic than the food.
• bitter/acid and fat is a good pairing. 
• keep the wine and food at similar intensity levels. 
• it’s very difficult to pair chocolate, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts with wine. 

The Perfect Summer Menu with Tayson Pierce

We hope you’ve enjoyed this primer course on food and wine pairings. We’d love to answer any questions you may have. Now, without further ado, our recommendations for the perfect summer menu with Tayson Pierce wines!

Try pairing our 2017 Rothchild Rosé with delicious, epitome-of-summer watermelon and feta salad. The acidity in the wine offers the perfect complementary pairing with the creamy feta. The Rosé is more acidic than the watermelon, and they’re similarly mild in intensity.

Is there anything more summery than the perfect BLT? Our 2017 Chardonnay is the ideal match for this classic summer sandwich. Feeling something extra? Add an avocado, making a BLTA, or try this swordfish BLT! Our Chardonnay is a great balance of creaminess (from malolactic fermentation) and acidity. The BLT works with both components. The creaminess complements the avocado and mayonnaise, while the acidity from the wine cuts through the fat from the bacon. It checks all the boxes and is seriously one of our favorite summer pairings! 

Last but not least, our 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent complement to grilled steak and veggies. Cabernet is usually paired with grilled meats because very few wines are as equally intense and rich as grilled steaks are. Additionally, grilled meats are full of umami flavors, as is Cabernet. We love this smoky take on classic grilled steak, with the addition of fresh eggplant – a true sign of summer! 

It’s Your Turn

You’ll know quickly if you make a mistake with a wine pairing, but hopefully, with this basic crash course, you’ll be able to identify where you went awry! Our top recommendation is to just keep trying. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. That means you’re going to need more wine! You can browse our collection of Napa Valley still wines and Champagnes from France here. Make sure to tag us on social media in your next pairing!

Father’s Day is a perfect opportunity to get to know Eric J Rothchild, father, founder, vintner, and resident Dad of Tayson Pierce Wines and Champagne Eric Philippe.

A Passionate Family

Eric was born in New York, New York, to loving and doting parents, Herbert and Audrey. He holds many special memories of his father. Both avid cyclists, Eric fondly remembers a road biking adventure in Girona, Spain at one of the Tour de France training sites. Eric greatly admired his father’s passion for family, work, and sport – passions he, in turn, instilled in his three boys. 

Even as a child, he loved helping and healing people. That passion manifested in adulthood as a career in ophthalmology. Always on the quest for improvement, Eric spends his free time developing his hobbies, which include photography, equestrian sports, triathlons, and, of course, wine. 

The first wine he remembers drinking is Château Latour when he was 14 years old and falling in love with Sauternes, specifically Château d’Yquem in his 20s. In 2005, his passion for enjoying wine had grown into a desire to make wine and now 15 years later, his dream of producing elegant wines and Champagnes for people to enjoy and share is a reality. “I can’t believe I’ve done it. It had always been a dream of mine.” 

A Proud Dad

As much as he loves wine, Eric’s three boys – Taylor, Grayson, and Pierce – are truly the joy of his life. When asked what his favorite thing about being a dad is, he said, “watching your children grow, develop, mature, and succeed.” And succeed, they have. Taylor, the creative and brilliant eldest, works closely with Eric on both Tayson Pierce Wines and Champagne Eric Philippe. Pierce is sensitive and determined, living in Chicago and working in finance. And Grayson, the balanced, focused youngest brother, just completed graduate school in Miami. 

The whole family brings their passion, intelligence, and preferences together to make a portfolio of wines and Champagnes that they all truly enjoy.

The Perfect Day

Father’s Day will be a little different this year. We asked each of the boys what their perfect Father’s Day with Eric would be if they were able to be together. Here’s what they planned:

From Taylor: We’d go riding horses in Bordeaux and enjoy some of our Grand Cru Champagne afterward.

From Grayson: We’d go for a long drive, in a nice car, along the beach together. 

From Pierce: In the morning, we’d go for a long run, followed by brunch at our favorite restaurant. Then after a relaxing afternoon at the spa, we’d head out for an ocean-side dinner of steak and great conversation.

JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT VIRTUAL TASTING 

INSTAGRAM LIVE | @TAYSONPIERCE

Saturday, June 20

11 AM PST | 2 PM EST

Get to know Tayson Pierce proprietor Eric Rothchild. Virtually join him, and meet his horses, at his beautiful barn for a friendly conversation about how his passion for wine developed into a hobby – and ultimately the creation of Tayson Pierce Wines and Champagne Eric Philippe.

We’ve all chosen a bottle of wine solely based on the label.
but what does the label really tell us about the wine?

We’re delighted to share out 2016 Stagecoach Cabernet, which received a barrel sample score of 96 points from acclaimed wine critic Robert Parker. Through June 30, enjoy $10 shipping on two bottles of Cabernet. Shop here.

JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT VIRTUAL TASTING

Saturday, June 20
11 AM PST | 2 PM EST
Instagram Live @TaysonPierce

Get to know Tayson Pierce proprietor Eric Rothchild. Virtually join him, and meet his horses, at his beautiful horse farm for a friendly conversation about hor his passion for wine developed into a hobby – and ultimately the creation of Tayson Pierce Wines and Champagne Eric Philippe.

We have always championed the women in our family and today, above all, is when we celebrate all of them at once.  Past, present, and future, they are the ones that have cared for us through the good times and the not-so-good. Let us begin with a brief introduction. We are the Rothchild family and we are on a mission to create wines and champagnes worth sharing! 

Tayson Pierce is the culmination of the three children Taylor (myself), Pierce, and Grayson (the eternal baby of the family).

Our Family Tradition

In order to get the full picture, we will start where it all began, with my Great Grandfather, Nathan Rothchild. Nathan was a pioneer in his day and had a passion for wine, a novelty for Americans in the 1960s. He loved it so much that he began secretly making it at his summer home in Saratoga Springs. Nathan’s winemaking had a profound influence on his son Herbert and ultimately on his grandson, my father, Eric J Rothchild. An enthusiastic traveler, Eric’s travels led him to the greatest wine regions of the world, where he tasted at the most prestigious wineries.  Ultimately his passion to learn, collect and consume wine would, like his father’s, turned into a passion for crafting his own.

First, A Love Story

In the ’80s, Eric met my mother Susan in what always sounds to me like a great story for a Rom-Com movie. They met during Eric’s first week of his medical internship, in a hospital in California, while attending the same patient; Eric as an ophthalmologist and Susan a nurse.  Eric would make numerous attempts to get my mother to go on a date with him, to no avail.  Although one day, he made one of his famous “Dad” jokes, which made her burst out laughing.  She accepted his offer to have lunch in the hospital.  It was all a fairytale after that. They married in 1986, in a traditional ceremony in Boca Raton, FL at the iconic Boca Raton Resort. Three years later they had me, their “favorite first son”, followed by my brothers Pierce and Grayson.

Planting Roots

We grew up in Boca Raton, not exactly the epicenter of winemaking. After accomplishing a successful career as an Ophthalmologist, Eric decided to plant some roots (forgive the pun) in Napa Valley.  After years of traveling to wine countries all over the world, it was time for them to have a place to call their own. We spent our teens living in Napa Valley each summer, working summer jobs at wineries, and developing our own appreciation for wine.  Eventually Eric decided, like his grandfather Nathan, to take up the family hobby with prolific passion. 

Tayson Pierce is Born 

In 2005 the prototype of what would become Tayson Pierce Wines was made. We’ve learned a lot since that first vintage, most of which we’ll discuss in-depth at a later date. All along though, we’ve strived to create the best single-vineyard wines made of the highest quality fruit from vineyards focused on sustainability. This will forever be our focus, without compromise. 

Our Matriarch

In honor of Mother’s Day I would be remiss if I didn’t introduce the matriarch of the family, Susan Rothchild. I asked the family what they love most about our mother; it’s evident how much we love her. Even though Mother’s Day will likely be from a Zoom or Facetime this year, mom – we hope you know how much we love, adore, and admire you for all you’ve done for the family. 

Grayson, the youngest, says, “Mom cares about everyone else more than herself. That’s one of the many reasons I love her.”

“As I raise my glass of Eric Philippe, this is to you mom. “We love you for your boundless love, relentless care no matter the situation, kindhearted nature, love for animals, genuine honest, and constant thoughfulness for your loved ones!”

Love, Taylor

Pierce, my middle brother, says, “She is by far the most caring individual I have ever met. Her love for us is so much it gets annoying at times (joking). She will drop anything she is doing in a second if you need her help. She does nothing but think of others and never about herself. I am lucky to have her as my mom.”

Eric adds, “I love so many things. To name a few: her inner and outer beauty, her commitment to her family, her stability, her honesty, her love of animals, and her spirituality. I’m as much in love with her as the day I met her.”

We Toast To You

Our mother’s, past, present, and future have been and will always be at the backbone of this family.  They cared for us when we were young and now that we’ve grown up they provide relentless love and support when we need it most. Last but not least, they make great official taste-testers for our wines.  Cheers to you, mom, and all the other mothers out there today who do what you do.  We salute you and hope you are enjoying this special day.

If you still need a Mother’s Day gift, we’re offering $10 shipping on a dozen Rosé wines from either Tayson Pierce Wines or Champagne Eric Philippe. You can shop here.

His mission is simple: Create Wines and Champagnes worth sharing.

With a long family history and intense passion at its core, each bottle from Tayson Pierce Estate Wines possesses a rich history of its own. From the years of prosperity and struggle on the vines to sun-kissed grapes grown over many moons on prestigious single-vineyard estates, to the hard-working people who handpick the grapes in the brisk of the night each season and the artistry of the winemaker himself, it’s quite easy to forget that so much time and so many individuals are responsible for the final product. Taylor Rothchild is an entrepreneur directing his family’s winery, ensuring every meticulous detail of each vintage is crafted with the most exceptional quality worthy of bearing the Tayson Pierce Estate Wines name.

At only 30, Taylor transformed his family’s hobby spanning five generations, into a rapidly growing enterprise. Over a successful career in Venture Capital and Private Equity, Taylor worked on restructuring legacy organizations in media and entertainment and helped advise early-stage technology companies to go-to-market.  With his vast experience and knowledge of startups and transforming legacy businesses, Taylor felt the next logical step was to dive into the ever-changing landscape of winemaking. Although he works on the family business, he remains engaged in the business world, advising companies and funds.

“I’ve always enjoyed fixing things and growing businesses, whether it is a startup or a well-established organization. I saw the massive potential in our little winery and an opportunity to do things differently. I took the lessons learned from finance and applied them to this business, states Taylor Rothchild, proprietor of Tayson Pierce Estate Wines.

Always up for the challenge, Taylor took the small hobby business out of the shadows and brought it into the light as a respected and prominent brand.  With his business acumen and tenacity, he took on a more active role in the business, initially focusing on rebranding, developing their marketing playbook, and improving processes. Through strategic partnerships with high-end restaurants and elite wine merchants such as Wally’s Wines based out of Los Angeles, he positioned the business as a top-tier producer.

Noticing the trends of consumer purchasing behavior shifting from shopping at traditional brick and mortar to buying more from eCommerce brands, OnDemand services, and desire for more authentic brands, Taylor quickly realized the winery needed to capitalize on these trends. He revamped the old website and developed their online store to make it easier for customers to acquire their wines without having to travel to the store. He also established a strategic partnership with Minibar Delivery to access their 500,000+ users across the country and expose them to their wines through their Vineyard Select program. 

Additionally, through his close relationship with Christian Navarro, President of Wally’s and “Sommelier to the Stars,” they worked together to improve brand awareness through their restaurant and retail store as well as collaborating on numerous on high profile events filled with A-List celebrities, government officials, and prominent charities. Considered as one of the world’s premier wine merchants containing a portfolio of over 10,000 labels handpicked from only the best producers, Wally’s Wines is also a significant contributor to the winery’s success.

“I’ve known Taylor and his family for a long time and have discovered that they have great similarities to our Ethos. One quality, the Very Best. We love what Taylor does and will follow him in every endeavor. Wally’s doesn’t carry everything, just the best of everything, and Tayson Pierce is definitely an important piece of what we do.” Says Christian Navarro, President of Wally’s.

To access a more youthful audience, Taylor crafted and introduced the winery’s first Rosé wine as a more affordable access point to their portfolio. Taylor developed their Rosé wine to capitalize on the booming Rosé trend noticing an opportunity to make a premium California Rosé. He also crafted a line of Champagnes in France called Champagne Éric Philippe, seeing a lack of representation for high-end grower/producer Champagnes and a growing market for Extra Bruts with a lower dosage. He wanted to create a world-class Champagne that people would enjoy drinking not only as a celebratory beverage but also as a commonplace drink to enjoy at any time.

Taylor was introduced to the art of winemaking by his father, Eric Rothchild, whose grandfather taught him. His father introduced him to movie director and vineyard owner Francis Ford Coppola, where he worked at his Rubicon estate. Throughout his youth, Taylor also traveled the world with his family meeting with winemakers from prestigious chateaus throughout France, Italy, and New Zealand. This exposure fostered his intense passion for creating fine wines that could rival those of the great wine houses of the world. For the past decade, Taylor and his father Eric have together produced several award-winning vintages. Under Taylor’s tenure, he has brought about significant operational improvements to the business resulting in:

2019 Revenue Increase: 617%
Increased Product Margins:10%
Improved Brand Recognition: 79M+ Media Impressions
Amassed a Social Media Following: 43K and 34K respectively
Grew Monthly New Website Users: 2996%

Taylor and his father began producing wine in 2005 as a hobby initially to give to friends. When they tried it, they asked where they could purchase more. The family decided to produce their first commercial vintage in 2006 with an elegant Cabernet Sauvignon of only 100 cases. To their surprise, that vintage received stellar reviews from esteemed critics. To this day, they still manufacture in only reserved quantities to preserve the quality in every bottle without sacrificing anything to cut costs. Although his peers highly respect Taylor, he is distinguished as an underdog in the wine industry, clearly underestimating his prowess. Nonetheless, through his passion and relentless efforts to grow the business, the industry is now discovering his name, learning about his experience as a skilled entrepreneur, and that he is the one they need to watch this year. 

His mission is simple: Create Wines and Champagnes worth sharing.

Country: U.S.A.

Region:  Napa Valley Carneros

Product Type:  White

Grape Mix:  100% Chardonnay

Vintage:  2017

Alcohol %:  15.5

The 2017 Tayson Pierce Chardonnay is another testament to the diligence and care taken to craft their wines. Sourced from a single vineyard (Hudson Vineyards) with grapes meticulously grown and harvested results in a smooth, well rounded Chardonnay.  Hues of medium yellow in the glass bring aromas of honeysuckle, Bosc pear, and peach, offering light butter, toasted oak, ripe pear and citrus notes on the palate. The long finish provides lingering flavors of peach and honey. Pairing:  Pair with seafood and light pasta dishes.

Price:  $$$

Producer:  Tayson Pierce

Importer/Distributor:  Tayson Pierce Estate Wines

Web page:  https://taysonpiercewines.com

Los Angeles, Calif.— Tayson Pierce Estates Wines announced today the launch of their 2017 Single Vineyard Chardonnay. Unique to other wines in this category, the 2017 Chardonnay is a Single Vineyard wine and comes solely from Hudson Vineyards. Their Chardonnay vineyards are nestled in Napa Valley’s Carneros District, one of the finest winegrowing regions in the world. The cooling breezes off the Bay of San Francisco allow the grapes a longer hanging time to develop richer flavor and intensity, without sacrificing acidity and balance. With a beautiful nose of sea spray, honeysuckle, crystalized ginger and peaches, this full-bodied wine is rich with creaminess in texture. On the palate, one will taste sweet cream, more ginger, lemon oil, sweet vanilla with a long, smooth finish.

Ensuring that this vintage was crafted with the most exceptional quality worthy of carrying the Tayson Pierce Estates Wines name, Winemaker, Jeff Ames boldly extended the fermentation time, allowing the wine to develop much deeper and more vineyard specific flavors and aromatics. Further exemplifying the thoughtfulness and care that went into producing this Chardonnay, the vintage sports a brilliant gold with green tints to it, indicating a healthy and naturally made wine.

To meet growing demand, Tayson Pierce Estate Wines has expanded their production this year from 300 cases to just under 400 cases. Each vintage is exclusively created in reserved quantities to continue to provide the highest quality wines possible, adding to its scarcity.

“The 2017 Tayson Pierce Chardonnay is a stunning example of both the perfect chardonnay growing season and the renowned Carneros growing region,” says Jeff Ames, Winemaker, Tayson Pierce Estates Wines. “The richness from the barrel fermentation and refreshing acidity from the cool area of Carneros balance each other perfectly.”

“The 2017 Chardonnay is a fantastic vintage for us as it marks the next step in a new era for our Chardonnay line. The wine is unparalleled to what Chardonnays are typically known for, purging the time-old stigma of being referred to as ‘grandma’s wine.’ This vintage is truly something to experience as it caters to both the novice wine drinker as well as the sophisticated aficionado,” says Taylor Rothchild, Proprietor of Tayson Pierce Estate Wines. “We have also implemented some new design enhancements by adding the phrase ‘Single Vineyard’ in red to the labels to highlight that this Chardonnay comes from a single source as well as a new gold foil to catch the eye. We are highly enthusiastic about this vintage as it is a shining example of practice makes perfect.”

Family-owned and operated for several generations, Tayson Pierce Estate Wines is the collection of award-winning Napa Valley Single Vineyard fine wines ranging from Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Rosé with consistent scores above 90 points from the industry’s top critics, to exclusive champagnes from their Grand Cru & Premier Cru Vineyards in Champagne, France.

The 2017 Chardonnay retails for $65 and is sold at select locations and through www.taysonpiercewines.com.

About Tayson Pierce Estates Winery:

Family-owned and operated for several generations, Tayson Pierce Estate Wines is the collection of award-winning Napa Valley single-vineyard fine wines ranging from Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Rosé, to a line of Champagnes produced in France. Each vintage is exclusively created in reserved quantities to provide the highest quality product possible, adding to its scarcity. The Rothchild family’s belief is that the cultivation of single-vineyard fine wines is the truest expression of earth’s artistic qualities. This philosophy is the reason all of their fine wines and Champagnes are critically acclaimed, and their vintages originate from the prestigious Napa Valley region, while the Champagnes come exclusively from their Grand Cru & Premier Cru Vineyards in Champagne, France.

Tayson Pierce Estate Wines has announced the launch of their 2017 Single Vineyard Chardonnay.

This wine comes solely from Hudson Vineyards in Napa Valley’s Carneros District. The nose is sea spray, honeysuckle, crystalized ginger and peaches, the company reports, before a full-bodied, creamy palate of sweet cream, more ginger, lemon oil and sweet vanilla.

Winemaker Jeff Ames extended the fermentation time, allowing the wine to develop much deeper and more vineyard-specific flavors and aromatics, the company adds.

Tayson Pierce Estate Wines has expanded their production this year from 300 cases to just under 400 cases.

“We have also implemented some new design enhancements by adding the phrase ‘Single Vineyard’ in red to the labels to highlight that this chardonnay comes from a single source as well as a new gold foil to catch the eye,” explains Taylor Rothchild, proprietor of Tayson Pierce Estate Wines.

The 2017 Chardonnay retails for $65 per 750-ml. bottle.

Music, laughs and Champagne Éric Philippe. flowed at the ROCK4EB! Fundraiser Event for the EBMRF organization in Malibu on October 6. The event was star-studded and filled with celebrity guests like Adam Sandler, Rami Malek, Judd Apatow, Courtney Cox, Leslie Mann, David Spade, Bill Maher, Kaley Cuoco, Eddie Vedder, Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber, Kaia Gerber. The A-listers came out to raise money to fund research for a cure for epidermolysis bullosa.

Legendary Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder kicked off the fundraiser with a performance, and Adam treated guests to a rare standup comedy set to close out the evening. At one point, Adam invited his daughters, Sunny, 10, and Sadie, 13, onstage with him to perform pop star Taylor Swift‘s hit song, “Lover,” together.

“Our family was delighted to donate to this amazing cause and support these heroes who fight so hard every day,” states Taylor Rothchild, owner of Tayson Pierce Wines and Champagne Éric Philippe. “We had an incredible evening with Champagne flowing everywhere, tremendous performances and heartwarming stories from attendees who are fighting EB. We look forward to continuing to support the EBMRF organization for future fundraising events and greatly appreciate the honor to donate to such a great cause”

Family-owned and operated for several generations, Tayson Pierce Estate Wines is the collection of award-winning Napa Valley single-vineyard fine wines ranging from Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Rosé, and a line of Champagnes produced in France. Each vintage is exclusively created in reserved quantities to provide the highest quality product possible, adding to its scarcity. The Rothchild family’s belief is that the cultivation of single-vineyard fine wines is the truest expression of earth’s artistic qualities. This philosophy is the reason all of their fine wines and champagnes are critically-acclaimed, and their vintages originate from the prestigious Napa Valley region, while the champagnes come exclusively from their Grand Cru & Premier Cru Vineyards in Champagne, France.