Kyle MacLachlan and his Blushing Bear rosé both made a splash in New York last week at a performance on Selected Shorts, the popular radio show and podcast recorded live at Symphony Space—and Unfiltered wouldn't pass up the chance to see one of our favorite actor-vintners take the stage.
The Twin Peaks talent was one of five actors to do a reading of a short story about the evening’s theme: food. Pours of MacLachlan's Blushing Bear rosé 2017 were offered during intermission, which loosened the audience up for MacLachlan’s bit, a rollicking tale about a man’s quest for a focaccia.
Unfiltered took the chance to catch up with the fictional mayor of Portland in Portlandia, whose wine label, Pursued by Bear, also includes a Cabernet Sauvignon and Baby Bear Syrah, all from MacLachlan's native Washington state. He hinted at some future plans for the brand.
“The 2017 [rosé] came and went pretty quickly, and that was a good indicator that I should make a bit more for 2018,” said MacLachlan of the sold-out (sorry) blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault, which he first made in the 2015 vintage. “[From] 250 cases I’ll go up to 350 cases or thereabouts, provided we can find a source and get good quality stuff, which we’re looking at now … With the three different varieties in the blend, it’s interesting. You can make rosé out of pretty much anything, but I like what the flavors do with the different grapes, just gives it a little more nuance.”
In fact, MacLachlan hopes to expand production of all three wines. And he shared that he's also toying with the idea of introducing new cuvées as well. “I may cull out some special vineyard sources and do a separate bottling. I don't know how I would identify it yet,” he told us. “Not a reserve, but something else that would be special.” You heard it here first.
Roger Federer Serves Up 1998 Moët to Celebrate Year He Started Playing Pro Tennis (Which Was 20 Years Ago)
Roger Federer has long been a Moët man when it comes to toasting his many, many, many wins, since, as the Swiss told Unfiltered via email, “the name Moët & Chandon has been synonymous with victory celebrations.” While his rivals are currently sweating it out at the French Open (one of whom appeared in this space recently as the new owner of a Djokovineyard), Federer is out touting a new "Greatness Since 1998" Moët Champagne cuvée to celebrate 20 years since turning pro.
The 20-bottle collection of 1998 Grand Vintage magnums goes on sale July 1 for €19,998 (we’re sensing a theme here). Each is made-to-order, hand-signed and wrapped in black leather to match the grip on Federer’s rackets, and all proceeds will go toward the Roger Federer Foundation for educational benefits to children in Africa and Switzerland.
“[Moët & Chandon] has always looked to innovate and perfect its know-how in making Champagne, the same way that I have strived for excellence and worked to perfect my technique on the court,” Federer told us. And at this rate, here's to 20 more years of Federer tennis.
Lauren B., Winemaker: 'Bachelor' Winner Turning Roses into Rosé
Bachelor alum Lauren Bushnell collected her fair share of roses as the winner of Season 20, but she had more difficulty saying yes to the perfect rosé. That’s how her new wine Dear Rosé came about, she told Unfiltered. She loved rosé, as we all do, but she realized she couldn’t pinpoint a specific rosé she was in love with. So she and boyfriend Devin Antin—not to be confused with her ex and former Bachelor Ben Higgins, who is himself not to be confused with original Bachelor-winemaker Ben Flajnik—launched a Côtes de Provence rosé that’s “a crisp, refreshing blend” of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah. “We went on a search for the perfectly balanced rosé for ourselves and friends to enjoy year-round here in sunny Southern California,” she said.
What does Bushnell make of her latest role so far? “It’s a challenging industry, yet one that yields a product that brings people together, creates memorable experiences and is enjoyed throughout the whole world.”
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