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Specs:
2007 Champalou "Cuvee des Fondraux" Vouvray
Vouvray (Loire Valley)
France
13% Alcohol
100% Chenin Blanc
$19.00
Notes:
The Vouvray region of France is dedicated almost exclusively to the Chenin Blanc grape and is known throughout the world for its production of naturally acidic and fruit forward white wines. The grapes used to produce this Cuvee des Fondraux are harvested from 50 year old vines in the region which adds to its complexity and rich flavor.
In the glass, the wine is medium in intensity with gold and straw hues. The aromas in this wine are intense and fruit forward with aromas of white flower, peach, pear, golden delicious apples and honey. On the palate these same aromas resonate on the tongue with some added minerality and hints of golden raisins and earth. There are some slight buttery flavors but nothing too major as I doubt this wine spent much time if any in oak. The flavors are fresh and ripe and are reminiscent of the spring and summer seasons. The crisp acid and sweet ripe fruits complement one another well and add to the complex flavors in this Chenin Blanc.
This wine is off-dry but still rather sweet for myself to enjoy with anything but itself, with an appetizer or with dessert. I would suggest pairing with a nutty cheese like Brie or creamy goat cheeses. For dessert I would match this with a fresh apple or peach tart and vanilla bean ice cream. This is definitely a great wine to pop open and celebrate the arrival of the Spring season.
Specs:
2005 Domaine Gerard Seguin Gevrey-Chambertin, Vieilles Vignes
Gevrey-Chambertin (
Côte d'Nuits)
France
13% Alcohol
100% Pinot Noir
$39.00
Notes:
Pinot Noir from the Côte d'Nuits region of France's Burgundy have quickly become my go to wines. The wines coming from the Gevrey-Chambertin commune of this region have yet to let me down. Yes... They are on the pricey side, however, you pay for quality and this Pinot Noir is just that. Gevrey-Chambertin's Burgundies are known worldwide for their complexity as well as for their production of quality Grand Cru wines.
In the glass, the wine is a clear, deep, crimson color with primary aromas of leather and earth, and hints of ripe strawberry and cherry. There is also a woody component to the nose with baking spice, accents of clove and cinammon. In the mouth, it is smooth and silky yet still light. With the red fruit flavors on the forefront, the earthiness becomes more apparent on the palate and the leather and wood finish it off. There is a spicy characteristic to the wine that really balances out the lush fruit along with the mineralistic and acidic qualities adding some complexity. The finish is medium in length ending with a cigar box flavor on the tongue.
Because this Pinot Noir is so light and feminine you would want to pair it with dishes that match its body. Cured meats like salumi and pancetta , grilled low fat meats, and steak tartare would really compliment one another. As far as dessert goes I would suggest this wine as the dessert in itself.
Specs:
2008 Domaine Auchere Sancerre
SancerreFrance
12.5% Alcohol
100% Sauvignon Blanc
$20.00
Notes:
Before I discovered Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre I rarely ordered or purchased Sauvignon Blanc. For some reason as a whole they are never truly satisfying taste-wise; they seem to fall flat. However, the wines that come from this chalky soiled, cool region in the Loire Valley of France offer something that you cannot find in the Sauvignon Blanc's here in the states. The wines produced in Sancerre generally have a crisp acidic quality that is so fresh and divine. This wine is just that.
In the glass, the wine shows a clear straw color with hints of light green. On the nose the smell has great intensity with a sharp mineralistic aroma as well as hints of citrus like grapefruit, lime and lemon as well as white florals. In the mouth this wine has a perfect acidity. The acid mixed with fruit flavors of green apple, grapefruit, pear, lemon, and lime really show off the great complexity of this wine. When you add the fruit to the acid with mineral and florals of orange blossom and white flowers; you get a racy power-packed wine. The finish is long and the flavors carry through to the very end. Be forewarned this wine is extremely dangerous and numerous bottles can quite easily be consumed in short amounts of time.
This wine is great for a summer day or paired with acidic dishes like chicken piccata or fresh fish with lemon. It would also pair really well with fruity desserts like a key lime tart. The 2008 Domaine Auchere Sancerre can be purchased in San Francisco through Blackwell's Wines and Spirits.
Specs:
2006 Domaine Ecard Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru "Les Serpentieres"
BurgundyFrance
13% Alcohol
100% Pinot Noir
$39.99
Notes:
I'm am usually a faithful California Pinot lover however, a new friend argued that nothing compares to a French Burgundy. After arguing our top points we came to the "to each their own" conclusion. This little debate compelled me to go out and buy only my 3rd or 4th Burgundy as a way of further proving my point. Much to my dismay when tasting this wine I had to admit...Maybe he had something here.
In the glass the wine is medium in intensity with a rich deep garnet color. The aromas are some of the things you would expect from a Pinot Noir; notes of black cherry, strawberry, currant, hints of oak. What I wasn't expecting was the mineral smell; rust and metal were definitely present but not in a bad way. This out of the ordinary scent helped to cut the intense fruit and oak smell you would anticipate. It was a different quality that definitely let me know this was no New World Pinot.
On the palate the wine is smooth and fruity with mineral flavors on the finish. All the aromas previously found are in the taste of this wine, yet richer and more refined. Ripe black cherry, currant and rust are the main flavor components. The finish is medium in length and is quite enjoyable with hints of earth and minerality.
This well balanced wine can be paired well with many meals because of its mellow fruity flavors. Lean meats, light pasta dishes and desserts like strawberry short cakes would be my first instinct. This wine is hard to find online however I was able to pick up this beautiful french offering at my local BevMo.
Specs:
2007 Domaines Schlumberger Les Princes Abbés Pinot Gris
AlsaceFrance
13% Alcohol
100% Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
http://www.domaines-schlumberger.com/
$19.00
Notes:
Pinot Gris is definitely not my go to white wine to be honest. When I hear Pinot Grigio I think of the watery overproduced white wines found on the shelves of your local supermarket. However, Pinot Gris is quite a different style than your everyday Pinot Grigio. The aromas and the taste are much more concentrated and much less acidic. To add to that, Pinot Gris produced in the Alsace region of France are also much different than the style produced anywhere else. The cool Northern climate there produces wines with a great balance of acid as well as powerful fruit flavors. This Pinot Gris definitely follows that style.
The color is a clear straw with some hints of light gold and is pretty light in intensity. Aromas of honey, white florals, citrus, and golden delicious apples are on the nose. The taste is medium in intensity with medium acid and a great balance of alcohol. Nothing is overpowering or unbalanced. Flavors of spice, honey, apple and citrus are present. There is also a pretty viscous quality to this wine and lends to its medium to heavy mouthfeel. This wine is definitely young but not in a bad way. It is quite refreshing while at the same time pretty fruit forward.
This wine would pair quite well with salty cheeses such as blue cheese or as a dessert wine in itself.
Specs:
2006 Olivier Leflaive St-Aubin 1er Cru "En Remilly"
BurgundyPuligny-Montrachet, France
14% Alcohol
100% Chardonnay
http://www.olivier-leflaive.com/
$30.00
Notes:
The Burgundy region of France is known worldwide for their perfection of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape. However these varietals seem such a far cry from the Pinot and Chards we drink here in the U.S. You won't find any oak bombs here. The flavors are more refined as they focus more on the grape and less about fussing with it. This medium bodied wine is just that.
The color in the glass is a translucent straw color with hints of light gold in the glass. The nose shows honey, butterscotch, melon, pear, golden delicious apples, vanilla and the slightest hint of oak. Upon first taste you can really pick up the butterscotch, pear and vanilla on the forefront as well as a refreshing hint of cantaloupe. This wine is very well balanced with moderate alcohol and medium acidity. The finish is long and smooth and is the perfect example of a beautiful white burgundy.
When pairing with food I would suggest drinking with white fish, chicken or mushroom dishes as well as sharp cheddars and parmesans. Because of the medium intensity of this wine the sky is the limit on pairing options. This wine can be purchased through K & L Wine Merchants with shops throughout the Bay Area.
Specs:
2005 Chateau Mas Neuf Compostelle
Costieres de Nimes, France (Rhone)
13% Alcohol
70% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, 15% Grenache
http://www.chateau-mas-neuf.com/en/
$26.00
Notes:
This wine is a true value for the buyer. The richness and flavor that comes with this wine really surprised me. This is a French AOC I was unfamiliar with. Through research I came to find this is an up and coming region that mirrors the climate and soil condition on Provence; Lush mineral rich soil and plenty of sunlight. Also, the barrels used to store this wine come directly from some of France's most honored Chateaus such as Lafite-Rothchild which some believe add to its lush and full flavor. At first glance the wine in the glass is a deep dark maroon with hints of royal purple. The scent of the wine is rich and spicy. Chocolate, Blackberries, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and a hint of Black Licorice. The wine itself is quite earthy. The spice and fruit is at an almost perfect balance. The wine is medium bodied and did require quite some time to breathe. After roughly 30 minutes the wine had opened up beautifully and was perfect during appetizers, the main course as well as dessert. Because of the earthiness of the wine it paired beautifully with freshly roasted chanterelle mushrooms and crispy pork we chose to eat it with. Beautiful start and silky smooth finish. I didn't want it to end...
Specs:
Ruinart NV Brut Rose Champagne
Reims, France
45% Chardonnay 55% Pinot Noir
12.5% Alcohol
http://www.ruinart.com/
$85.00
Notes:
This Champagne is one of my most favorite things in the world. Anyone who asks me what my last meal would consist of on death row: a bottle of Ruinart Brut Rose would be it. And I would die happy. This champagne not only is smooth and perfect; but the color is like no color you have ever seen in a champagne. Salmon and Coral hues with tiny sparkles of bubbles throughout it. At first smell you are not overpowered by the senses. It is an extremely subtle smell of florals and mild fruits. At first sip it is special. The bubbles do not overpower the flavor yet add to it. Unlike new world sparkling wines the texture is smooth and silky. Flavors of citrus and crisp orange rind and fresh picked strawberries and peaches. You can literally taste the color you see before you. This is summer in a bottle and pairs unbelievably with food. It is not overwhelming in any sense. This is the perfect pair for appetizers as well as dessert; especially a fresh macaroon from Ladure.
Before you die anyone and everyone deserves the pleasure of a glass of this perfect pink magic. It is decadence in a bottle and is worth every penny. Forget food for the week and buy a bottle. You won't regret it.
