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Picpoul de Pinet is a vivid illustration of just how dramatically white wine from the south of France has improved over recent years. Quite simply, the grape variety is Picpoul, or Piquepoul, which is grown around the village of Pinet, and other nearby villages, Florensac, Pomerols. Castelnau de Guers, Mèze and Montagnac. The vineyards form a surprising oasis of white wine in a sea of red wine. The terroir, or soil, explains the reason for this unexpected oasis of white wine. Quite simply the soil is too generous for red wine. It is mainly limestone, which suits white wine, with some clay, sand and appropriately a scattering of fossilised oyster shells. The climate is very much influenced by the sea, with a cooling effect during the nights of the hot summer months, and the vines benefit from maritime breezes. In somes cases it is fair to compare it to Muscadet. Neither packs a punch of flavour, but they provide brilliant accompaniments to the local seafood, and when finely crafted, have deliciously subtle flavours. The cooperative at Pinet, with its brand name L’Ormarine, and striking logo conveying the blue sea, green vines and yellow sun, are amongst the pacesetters of the appellation. -
Domaine de La Vougeraie is born from the assembly of domains acquired over time and the vines of the family. Its history dates back to 1964 with the first vine, Les Evocelles, acquired by our father at his very beginnings. Here, it is in his village that he will have his first lands around Gevrey-Chambertin. The reputation of Domaine de la Vougeraie is well established. This area of excellence is located in Premeaux-Prissey, a small village in Burgundy , near Nuits-Saint-Georges, in the Côte de Nuits . For this cuvée, the estate brings together two small plots in the “ La Rue aux Vaches ” and “ Noyer Bret ” climates . They are planted with Chardonnay and worked in biodynamics , homeopathy applied to the vine. 2018 was a generous, sunny vintage, which managed to maintain a good level of freshness Sylvie Poillot, General Manager, farms the estate’s 42 hectares biodynamically. “We do this to preserve the fertility of soils, and to have a very good balance between the soil and the plant’s health,” she explains. It’s not just the soil health that’s changed: two decades on from their conversion to biodynamics, the wines are evolving too: “The wines are more aromatic and more expressive year after year,” she says. A fascinating 2018: on the one hand, it’s opulent with the warmth of the vintage; on the other, it’s tight with typical Puligny fruit, stone and bite. A superior example. Drink 2022-2028 Great with grilled fish, scallops, lobster, lobster -
Roc’h Avel, meaning “the rock of the wind”, is named after a small island off the coast of Brittany. -
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Roisín Curley is an Irish winemaker making a very small production of wines in Burgundy. Using her scientific background - Pharmacy, her wine-knowledge, her experience (Château Latour and Château Grillet), and her love for wine, she produces outstanding wines from one of the most sought after wine region - Burgundy. Roisin buys grapes from friends and neighbour in Burgundy with a preference for organicaly grown fruits. She shares with these producer the same vision - quality over quantity. Roisin Curley produces elegant and refined wines that truly express the terroir and the grape variety. -
This excellent Chablis has a fine balance of ripe fruit and thrilling acidity. With a great length on the finish, it will develop with age in the cellar if you can keep your hands off it. Sourced from three parcels of vines in different sectors of the appellation; Les Pargues towards the village of Préhy, Les Cartes between the premiers crus of Vaillons and Montmains where the vines are 60 years old and Bas de Chapelots just below Montée de Tonnerre. Samuel Billaud is one of Chablis’ greatest winemakers. For twenty years he was responsible for the superb quality of wine at the family estate, Domaine Billaud-Simon, before setting up his own winery in 2009, where he produces a range of wines from several of the region’s finest sites. In 2014 he recovered his share of the Billaud-Simon vines which he now vinifies and bottles under his own name. -
At barely 30 years old, Stephane Riffault (Claude’s son and now owner of the estate) is turning out Sancerre bottlings that are the envy of many producers twice his age. As David Schildknecht put it, “make no mistake: this address in the hamlet of Maison Salle (Sury-en-Vaux) is now one of the five or six most exciting estates in the Sancerre appellation.” Given that Stephane’s holdings represent 4 tenths of 1 percent of the appellation, this kid is clearly doing something right. Based in the village of Sury-en-Vaux, the domaine works 33 different parcels in 6 different lieu-dits spread across 4 villages. The 13.5 hectares of vines are plowed and no synthetic material is used. Unlike most Sancerre producers, the entire harvest is carried out by hand and an extensive sorting takes place before the grapes are crushed. Stephane’s wife, Benedicte, leads the harvest team while Stephane manages the sorting and press during harvest. Most of the domaine’s holdings are planted on the soft limestone soil called Terres Blanches with some parcels on calliottes and silex. Small, judicious uses of oak help to add length to the already precise and vertical bottling. All of the parcels are vilified separately and with the exception of the rose, all the wines are bottled unfiltered. Having studied and worked in Burgundy (and closely with Olivier Leflaive), it’s easy to see the Burgundian influence in Stephane’s wines. The mastery of minerality standing shoulder-height with the wood is rarely duplicated in Sancerre. Regardless of the exposition of his parcels (many are south-facing), Riffault’s wines are always crisp and high-cut with a jeweled sort of delineation that speaks to the precision and attention these wines get. These are not your daddy’s (or his daddy’s) Sancerres. -
This is a declassified wine from a top Chateau in Sauternes...shhh, they dont want you to know their name! or...just keep reading Maison Sichel is a Bordeaux based, family owned and run negociant of six generations. The Sichel family have been a sugnificant prescence in Bordeaux since 1883 and have continued to expand operations by purchasing several properties in Bordeaux including Chateau Angludet and Chateau Argaden. The Sichel family also joined with three other family in 1938 to purchase the now legendary Chateau Palmer. Maison Sichel continued to expand their operations outside of Bordeaux with Chateau Trillol in Corbieres and have several high quality own label wines such as the Sichel Sauternes and the Sichel Margaux. The Sichekl Vineyards are situated some 40 kilometers south east of Bordeaux, between the Garonne river and the Landes forest to the south. A blend of 80% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle from 50 year old vines where Botrytis is encouraged to dehydrate the grapes. This Sauterne has been aged for 10 to 12 months. -
Simmonet-Febvre has been producing its wines with traditional methods since 1840. It is the only Maison in Chablis to produce Crémants of Burgundy. A harmoniously balanced wine with fine bubbles, a persistent foam and a wonderful length in the mouth. It is fresh and powerful on the nose with aromas of citrus. Drink this crémant as a chilled aperitif, as it comes or with a liqueur such as crème de cassis, and why not even drink it throughout a whole meal. -
This Sur La Lune from Le Clos du Gravillas is a dazzling expanse of white limestone pebbles on a plateau at an altitude of 300 meters in the Haut Languedoc Natural Park. Between the gorges of St Chinian and Minerve, surrounded by scrubland and holm oaks, the 8.30 hectare estate is managed with respect for the terroir, in organic farming with concern for the preservation of the biodiversity of fauna and the surrounding flora. This wine comes from 3 plots on the Cazelles plateau: Syrah from a place called “Esperandieu”, a very pretty place surrounded by hills covered with scrubland, almond trees, broom and oaks where they also planted 48 pomegranate trees, 25 fig trees as well as cherry and apricot trees. The 80 year old vine of Carignan planted with Grenache from the place called Carretals and the 40-year-old Carignan vine from the place called Roque de Beau. Serve rather chilled but not too cold, ensuring that the wine does not heat up excessively in the bottle or in the glasses. A slight opening time prior to service may be beneficial.vThis wine beyond all the technicallities and sense of place it is a straight wine without organoleptic deviation, without volatile phenols, pure, with perfect control and ultimately delicious. Slainte! -
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Touraine is the savvy place to look if you’re after a Sauvignon blanc which combines great value with great flavour. The Loire is Sauvignon Blanc’s homeland. So it’s no surprise that Loire native, Thierry Delaunay, is passionate about the grape. Decades of his family making wine in the region means he has the pick of the crop when it comes to choosing grapes for his wines. He looks for the best grapes from the best pockets of vines in Touraine – and the results speak for themselves. This Sauvignon is seriously refreshing, seriously citrusy, and seriously good value. You’ll find nothing finer to pair with a goat’s cheese tart. And its more restrained flavour profile makes it a perfect party wine. Santé. -
Saint Auguste is a selection of the best cuvées of Syrah, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Merlot. The robe is rich dark purple with bright ruby highlights. It offers alluring aromas of ripe black cherries, nutmeg and clove. It is full and concentrated and is a wine that can be enjoyed upon release and over the following ten to fifteen years. -
Australian scientist Karen Turner and her husband Emmanuel farm 10 hectares in the Languedoc bring you this incredible intro to orange wine! The 3 grapes here are fermented like a red wine, skins, stalks, and all-- making for white with the tannins and structure of a red. Karen’s says her goal with ‘Le Blanc’ is to bring body and freshness to the wine. The north-facing slopes where their vineyards grow on help to ensure a long and even maturation for the grapes. While Marsanne is not usually an aromatic varietal, Karen’s use of open vats brings out the heady aromas of tangerine and mango. Full-bodied and approachable, it smells like orange rinds and white flowers wilting in the sun, and tastes like yellow peaches, those tangerines and dry, dusty earth, but never loses its identity as a white wine. LADY IN CHARGE: While husband Emmanuel manages the vineyards, the real star is his wife Karen, who makes the wine and also works as the head winemaker and manager of another (very famous) Languedoc winery, Prieuré de Saint Jean de Bébian. Serious girl boss! Decant for 20 minutes before enjoying. It’ll open up and reveal its prettiness with air. Perfect for poultry, fish, cheese and early dishes. Also wonderful in itself. -
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"I love you but I am thirsty" Great name that sticks to my mind with new grape varieties as a link between maritime freshness and southern exoticism. An explosive blend that gives an immediate and charming cuvée. The nose captivates with its aromas of white fruits and spices. The palate is round, full-bodied, generous. She lovingly embraces our taste buds for a tender moment of happiness and conviviality. Lovingly white, Lovingly good !! -
Few winemakers affirm their stellar reputation as convincingly as Vincent Dancer with his ethereal Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru Blanc 2020. Immaculately crafted in the revered vineyards of France's Burgundy region, it is an unparalleled masterpiece from one of the region's mavericks.
Going against the grain of traditional Burgundian winemaking, Vincent Dancer opts for no battonage and low usage of new oak in producing this Grand Cru Blanc. He relies on sustainable viticulture practices, underscoring nature's ability to produce a near mystical balance of flavours without intervention. This purity of approach culminates in an elegant, nuanced white experienced in this bottle.
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