@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Welcome to #SommChat everyone! Tell your Friends to join us to learn about #wine for the next hour from a #Burgundy #winemaker!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Today we are LIVE From #Burgundy with #winemaker Frederic Lafarge of Domaine Michel Lafarge and he’s ready to answer our Qs! #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): You’re welcome 2 ask Frederic Lafarge UR Qs too! But first, read the instructions in our next few tweets so you’ll know what 2 do #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Frederic hasn’t embarked on Twitter world yet, so we’re assisting. We’re w/ him in #Burgundy, typing his A’s as he speaks. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): ALL OF FREDERIC’S TWEETS WILL COME FROM @KEEPERCOLL #SommChat

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @AdamPlotkin hey Adam, good to see you! #SommChat

@AdamPlotkin (Adam Plotkin): @SirenaDiVino Back at you! Love these chats! #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): if u have Qs, direct them 2 @KeeperColl & we’ll ask Frederic. We’ll also tweet his answers-those will start w/ “A. F. Lafarge:” #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Also, please note that all of his answers will be in English – no need to brush off your French dictionary. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): & don’t forget that EVERY tweet during this chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order for everyone to see it! Let’s start chatting!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @KeeperColl to Lafarge: You have said that to you, #Volnay is all about balance- can you explain what you mean? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Frederic Lafarge: A. #Volnay is balanced between fruit, richness, acidity & length. #WineWednesday #SommChat

@AdamPlotkin (Adam Plotkin): .@KeeperColl Quelle domage!!!! #SommChat

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @KeeperColl *scrambling to pull out all my burgundy maps and books* #SommChat

@MauricesCru (maurice dimarino): .@KeeperColl Do u see this as a trend, wineries buying each other in Burgundy? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Frederic Lafarge to @mauricecrus: A. Not a trend but a great opportunity to increase a #Burgundy Domaine #WineWednesday #SommChat

@Sassodoro (Sassodoro): @KeeperColl Happy #WineWednesday! I’ll be popping in and out of #SommChat today.

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @KeeperColl to Lafarge: Besides balance, how would U describe the “essence” of #Volnay (in 140 characters or less)? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Frederic Lafarge: A. #Volnay is elegance, finesse, silky tannins (best example is Clos du Chateau des Ducs). #WineWednesday #SommChat

@MDSomm (Davis Smith): Q. @KeeperColl What do you think is the one thing people should know about Burgundy and its #wine? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @MDSomm A. From Lafarge First is diversity and to know what is #terroir – can have different #wines in same terroir From different producers #SommChat

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): Good morning to new and long time Friends here at #SommChat – @SirenaDiVino @KeeperColl @jennanorth @winesellersltd

@Corkbuzz (Corkbuzz Wine Studio): Stoked to see Frederic Lafarge on #SommChat w @KeeperColl 2day since we’re posting a profile of him later 2day! Stay tuned! & Hi Frederic!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @Corkbuzz Frederic says hello @corkbuzz #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @KeeperColl to Lafarge: Your family has a long history in the #wine world- did you always plan on working in the #wine industry? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Frederic Lafarge: A. Since I was a little boy, I planned to take over the Domaine. #WineWednesday #SommChat

@fernandobeteta (Fernando Beteta, MS): Good morning #SommChat. Excited to read what Frederic Lafarge has to say about Burgundy.

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @KeeperColl 4 us poor students of wine who’re desperately trying 2 understand/learn Burgs, what books/methods/approaches can u rec? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @SirenaDiVino read books by Clive Coates, @justjasper (Jasper Morris) and Bill Nanson @billnanson #SommChat

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @KeeperColl thank you, Monsieur Lafarge! excellent tip #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): @KeeperColl What non-Burgundian varietal do you drink most often? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @corkhoarder A. Fr Lafarge love Cotes du Rhône, Alsace, Piedmont, and Chablis wines are always enjoyable to me #SommChat

@AdamPlotkin (Adam Plotkin): @corkhoarder @KeeperColl NON-Burgundian???? Sacre bleu!!!! #SommChat

@wolfeswines (JefFrey Wolfe): @KeeperColl #SommChat #WW Question: Who are the young guns in Burgundy that you are excited about?

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @wolfeswines A. Fr LaFarge Nicolas Potel, Thiebault Huber in #Volnay for example #SommChat #WineWednesday

@hungrywino (Jake Lewis): @KeeperColl Thanks for joining us! How long have you been making biodynamic wines and how long did it take to be reflected in the wine?#SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @hungrywino A. Fr Lafarge began #bio n ’97 & saw changes from the beginning – much purity in the #wines #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): @KeeperColl I was rearranging my wine the other day. Now seems like a great time to thank you for these! #SommChathttp://pic.twitter.com/b5zWwvzR

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @corkhoarder @KeeperColl are you popping one open to share right now bryan? y’know, just to check how it’s aging #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): @SirenaDiVino I would but I’m all alone and no food in sight! #SommChat

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @corkhoarder they’re some direct flights between Tampa and NYC. let me hop on a plane! #SommChat

@NOLAvine (NOLAvine Foundation): @KeeperCollection #SommChat M. Lafarge, what, if any, are your plans to expand your vineyard holdings and/or contracts?

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @NOLAvine A. Fr Lafarge no contracts now or in the future, if opportunity arises, then we will consider purchase of vineyards #SommChat

@MauricesCru (maurice dimarino): @KeeperColl @wolfeswines Q. is Nicolas Potel making the wines for Nicolas Potel? If not, who is? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @MauricesCru A. Fr Lafarge – Nicolas Potel’s Domaine is de Bellene in Beaune- he does not make wines under the name of N. Potel #SommChat

@harleywine1 (Harley Carbery): @noblewines @KeeperColl @wolfeswines NPotel is now making Dom. de Bellene wines, hasn’t made his namesake since 07 I believe. #SommChat

@noblewines (Christopher Miller): Huge shocker when it happened RT @harleywine1 @KeeperColl @wolfeswines NPotel hasn’t made his namesake since 07 I believe. #SommChat

@harleywine1 (Harley Carbery): @noblewines @MauricesCru @KeeperColl @wolfeswines it was 07, had a chat w Nicolas a few weeks ago. #SommChat

@ccollinsms (Craig Collins, MS): @KeeperColl Good morning all! Great to follow along today and hear about Burgundy from a legend #SommChat

@WarrenBobrow1 (Warren Bobrow): #SommChat speaking of hot weather wines are you drinking anything #organic or #Biodynamic??

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @WarrenBobrow1 A. Fr Lafarge I enjoy drinking my own #biodynamic wines #SommChat

@kahunteroma (Katie Hunter): @SirenaDiVino @KeeperColl I second Courtney’s question (w/respect to us wine lovers on a budget) #SommChat

@WarrenBobrow1 (Warren Bobrow): #SommChat I only seek small production inexpensive wines without pretense, wine scores, and attitude

@hungrywino (Jake Lewis): @KeeperColl Does the climate change affect the biodynamic process? Or since the earth’s cycles are the same, no change #Burgundy #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @hungrywino A. Fr Lafarge #biodynamic enables vineyards to adapt to the climate changes #SommChat #WW

@MDSomm (Davis Smith): Q. @KeeperColl Winemakers have told me that matching clone to soil type is very important w/ Pinot Noir. What are your feelings? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @MDSomm A. Fr Lafarge we are using our own Massale selection since a long time #WW #SommChat

@TheHappyGlass (The Happy Glass): @KeeperColl interviewing Frederic Lafarge on #SommChat right now – loving the conversation! #WW

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @KeeperColl – How many different clones of Pinot Noir grape are there? Are there some that you can’t use outside of Burgundy? – #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @demilove A. Fr Lafarge there are many diff clones – do not know how many #SommChat #WW

@StevieStacionis (StevieStacionis): Q @KeeperColl #SommChat Really admire Lafarge! If you could make wine anywhere outside the Cote de Beaune, where would you choose? Why?

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @StevieStacionis A. Fr Lafarge In #Burgundy Cote de Nuits -outside, would Be #northern Rhône, Alsace with riesling b/c I like challenge #SommChat

@NOLAvine (NOLAvine Foundation): @KeeperColl #SommChat Your aligoté and passetoutgrain are perennial favorites. Fewer and fewer made elsewhere these days. Your thoughts?

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @NOLAvine A. Fr Lafarge that’s right, fewer and fewer – could be a matter of economics needs lots of work for these #SommChat #WW

@redvinman (Simon Jackson): @KeeperColl We love the wines From Lafarge, here @dbyrnefinewines. #SommChat

@noblewines (Christopher Miller): #winechat #SommChat any chance of an english version of Lafarge website?

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @noblewines A. Fr Lafarge: My wife, Chantal, translates the monthly report in English on the website – entire website coming soon #WW #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): @WarrenBobrow1: #SommChat speaking of hot weather wines are you drinking anything #organic or #Biodynamic ??

@GGCuisine (GhettoGourmetCuisine): Looks like it’s #WineWednesday. Hi there #SommChat!

@VineyardGate (Alex Bernardo): Bonjour Frederick via @KeeperColl how do you differentiate 2009, 2010, 2011? Merci #SommChat #WineWednesday

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @VineyardGate A. Fr Lafarge ’09 has aging potential, ’10 is the pure definition of each terroir, ’11 is classic #burgundy #WW #SommChat

@StevieStacionis (StevieStacionis): Q @KeeperColl #SommChat What is your favorite thing to eat with your wines?

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @StevieStacionis A. Fr Lafarge w/ Aligote – oysters R Quiche Lorraine, w/ Passetougrains – BBQ ribs & w/reds, mainly veal, chicken #SommChat

@danieljohnnes (Daniel Johnnes): Hi Fred. Can you tell me briefly what condition the vineyard is in? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @danieljohnnes A. Fr Lafarge – diff yr, lot of work and hails on 30th of June in Cote de Beaune & try to help vineyards 2 recover #WW #SommChat

@StevieStacionis (StevieStacionis): Q @KeeperColl #SommChat what’s your favorite “guilty pleasure” or #noshamefood and #noshamewine?

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @StevieStacionis A. Fr Lafarge – drinking some PX with my wife #WineWednesday #SommChat

@VineyardGate (Alex Bernardo): Bonjour Frederick via @KeeperColl Key differences between Clos des Ducs, Clos des Chenes, and Cailleret? #SommChat #WineWednesday

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @VineyardGate A. Fr Lafarge Ducs=aristocratic, Chenes=richness, Caillerets=minerality #WW #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): @VineyardGate: Bonjour Frederick via @KeeperColl Key differences between Clos des Ducs, Clos des Chenes, and Cailleret? #SommChat #WW

@enjoielife (Judia Black): @KeeperColl: @VineyardGate A. Fr Lafarge Ducs=aristocratic, Chenes=richness, Caillerets=minerality #WW #SommChat

@danieljohnnes (Daniel Johnnes): I am having lunch with Chlotilde on Friday. Do you have a message for her? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @danieljohnnes A. Fr Lafarge – thank you for welcoming her #WW #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): Read that Gerard Potel used to drive the Lafarges, d’Angervilles, & Potels to school. Best car pool ever? cc: @KeeperColl #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @corkhoarder A. Fr Lafarge – sure #SommChat

@mauricecrus to Lafarge: Do u see this as a trend, wineries buying each other in Burgundy?” http://t.co/OETdJ3Z0

@Keepercoll (Keeper Collection): A. Fr Lafarge - Not a trend but a great opportunity to increase a #Burgundy Domaine #WineWednesday #SommChat

@redvinman (Simon Jackson): @KeeperColl Passetoutgrain hard to sell, any thoughts? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @redvinman A. Fr Lafarge – depends on Quality and name of Producer helps to sell #WW #SommChat

@redvinman (Simon Jackson): @KeeperColl Yours is the only one we sell, quality therefore is assured. It’s difficult to convince people. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @redvinman A. Fr Lafarge – this wine brings great pleasure for a good price – good QPR – traditional in Burgundy #WW #SommChat

@WarrenBobrow1 (Warren Bobrow): Perfect for #SommChat (veal ribs @ 6 Old Army Post Rd) http://bit.ly/O6NLb7

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @KeeperColl heard someone characterize all ’09 burgs as ageable, but flirtatious & approachable right off the bat? You agree/not? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @SirenaDiVino A. Fr Lafarge – ‘09s are beginning to close and become more reserved right now, good to age at this time #WW #SommChat

@MWCWINE (Manhattan Wine Co.): @KeeperColl Frédéric, what is your favorite food to eat with your wines? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @MWCWINE A. Fr Lafarge depends on the wine, weather, and occasion – we have a wide range of pairings #WW #SommChat

@TeamBrioschi (BrioschiCycling): @KeeperColl – who is doing best new world trousseau blanc? #SommChat @AskASomm

@wolfeswines (JefFrey Wolfe): @TeamBrioschi Check out @PaxMahle kick the pants Trousseau #SommChat

@danieljohnnes (Daniel Johnnes): I can’t wait to get home tonight to drink a great bottle of Lafarge! #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @danieljohnnes A. Fr Lafarge – ENJOY! regards to Sally #WW #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Thanks 2 every1 for joining us for an international edition of #SommChat – I hope you learned something about #wine & Lafarge #WW #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): I hope every1 will join me in thanking Frederic Lafarge for an awesome job of sharing his #wine knowledge! #WW #SommChat #SommChat

@Sassodoro (Sassodoro): @KeeperColl Thanks to you both for a great #SommChat!

@SirenaDiVino (Courtney Richards): @KeeperColl Thank you, both Keeper for facilitating & Monsieur Lafarge for graciously giving his time, wisdom, and insight! #SommChat

@tattoodsomm (Eric Hastings): @KeeperColl great #SommChat thanks!!

@redvinman (Simon Jackson): @KeeperColl Many thanks to Monsieur Lafarge, for his time and answers. #SommChat

@italianwineguy (Alfonso Cevola): @KeeperColl thanks. enjoyed it much! #WW #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Join us next Wed 7/18 at 11 am CST Fro #SommChat and more #wine secrets From Master Somm & @TexSom speaker Brian Cronin @vinobri! #SommChat

@AdamPlotkin (Adam Plotkin): @KeeperColl Merci beaucoup! #SommChat

@DrinkItEatIt (Ryan Hull): @KeeperColl Great #SommChat thanks for putting this together!

@VineyardGate (Alex Bernardo): @KeeperColl Please convey to Frederick: Merci! Regards to Chantal and Michel From Alex at Vineyard Gate! #SommChat #WineWednesday

@VineyardGate (Alex Bernardo): @KeeperColl Another awesome #SommChat today on #WineWednesday Thank you!

@catballoon (Cat Erpiller): Fantastic to see #winewednesday and #SommChat trending! The universe supporting the wine industry

@KeeperColl had the pleasure of asking a few more questions of Frederic Lafarge after #SommChat and here is what he had to say:

@Keepercoll to Lafarge: How old were you when your father let you take over the #winemaking at Domaine Lafarge? #WW #SommChat

Frederic Lafarge: A. I entered the Domaine in ’78-winemaking is done by both my father & me in full agreement. #WineWednesday #SommChat

@Keepercoll to Lafarge: People say that Domaine Lafarge is run by “instinct and respect for the terroir”- can you explain this? #SommChat #WW

Frederic Lafarge: A. Each vintage is different so each year we work in function of the climate and we adapt our winemaking. #WW #SommChat

@Keepercoll to Lafarge: All of Domaine Michel Lafarge is #Biodynamic- How long ago did you change to Bio and why? #WineWednesday #SommChat

Frederic Lafarge: A. Since 1997 for the 1st parcels and in 2000 all the Domaine was run with #biodynamics. #WineWednesday #SommChat

Frederic Lafarge: A. We think #biodynamics allows the best way to express the terroirs. #WineWednesday #SommChat

@Keepercoll to Lafarge: Domaine Michel Lafarge uses very little new oak- why? #WineWednesday #SommChat

Frederic Lafarge: A. Oak must bring something to the wine and not overtake to the wine. #WineWednesday #SommChat

Frederic Lafarge: A. We use from 10 to 15% new oak depending on the vintage. #WineWednesday #SommChat

@Keepercoll to Lafarge: Can you tell us about the vines/vineyard area for your Raisin Dores Aligote #Wine? #WineWednesday #SommChat

Frederic Lafarge: A. Old vines, abt 75 yrs old planted w/ an old selection of grapes that give little, ripe, & golden berries. #WW #SommChat

@Keepercoll to Lafarge: U make #wine in #Meusault #Volnay #Beaune & #Pommard-How many different wines do you make? #WW #SommChat

Frederic Lafarge: A. We are making 18 different wines. #WineWednesday #SommChat