Well, we are fully in Winter, we are now 10C or about 50F clear skies in my neck of the woods. Anyway, always good to bring the best of Wines news of France. By the way for the non Romans XLIIII is no 44, First ,thanks to all my readers and/or followers since November 26 2010 of my blog! Oh yeah, the wines of France are just super simply awesome and a great tradition. Often imitated, some time equaled ,but never surpass! Let me give you some news shall we. Hope you enjoy it as I.
Humanity and wine is nothing but a great love story, represented since the earliest beginnings of arts and literature. a quick dive into our biblical archives reveals that it was not originally a fig leaf but a fig tree that Adam and Eve picked to cover their private parts. It was not until much later that it was traded for that of the vine, adopted as a leafy cache-sex for the best effect. At the theatre, and more particularly in The Marriage of Figaro by a certain Beaumarchais, we will remember a tasty line from old Antonio: « Drink without thirst and make love at all times, Madame, that’s the only thing that makes us distinguished from other beasts ». When the big night comes, wine plays a central role, starting with that of taming fear, taming a new presence, making conversation more fluid, observing the way the other goes through the wine list, ask questions, order, recommend… A harmless ritual, which also involves a share of risk, starting with that of making a fool of yourself in front of a connoisseur by claiming to adore Burgundian Saint-Amour (failed, it’s Beaujolais Lol !). From a purely physiological point of view, various studies have shown that alcohol acts on brain receptors whose function is to trigger the production of hormones related to pleasure, including dopamine, serotonin and endorphins. Some also lend red wine the ability to increase blood flow to erogenous zones, thus arousing desire within the couple. However, with quite a downside, since the slightest abuse will produce diametrically opposed effects. Thus, wine can indeed promote romantic understanding, a first glass shared can be just as founding as a first kiss. Indeed !!
Question of politeness (or etiquette), what is the behavior to adopt when a guest rings the doorbell with a bottle of wine? Indeed, the choice of bottle and the attitude to adopt say a lot about the relationship you have with your guest, but also about your ability to navigate troubled waters. Being recognized by your friends as a connoisseur can result in, at best, to impress them, and in the worst, to disempower them. They will therefore have an annoying tendency to want to appease you with a prestigious label, or on the contrary to play the “damn for damn” card, knowing very well in their heart of hearts that you will undoubtedly have plenty to water them all along throughout the evening, and that their bottle will undoubtedly end up in oblivion, If it’s an obviously tannic red wine recognizable by its dark color, its provenance and the number of degrees displayed on the meter look in awe, pronounce the vintage aloud with enthusiasm, then frown claiming that it would be a shame to open such a bottle so young, and that this vintage deserves at least a few more years of aging , Another alternative, bet on the relevance of the food-wine pairing, claiming that it would be a shame to start with such a powerful cuvée, at the risk of saturating the palate prematurely. In the case of a champagne or a white wine, however, the aforementioned argument may seem suspect, and another solution will have to be found: The temperature, too hot or too cold, it doesn’t matter. Place the bottle against your cheek, jump discreetly, and offer to put it aside while you cool it down or let it warm up. Be sure to choose a place where it will not be remembered by your guests during the evening, take out a few bottles in advance, and “forget it” until further notice. As a last resort, you will always have the very generous option of opening a sufficient number of bottles from your own cellar in advance, in order to be able to reasonably justify not opening that of your guest, for obvious reasons of moderation. Thus, to the question “Do you have to open the bottle of a guest?”, the answer is now no, since you hold in your hands some precious advice to avoid having to drink a bad wine out of pure politeness.Better tried it alone later indeed.
The 2023 Spring Wine Fair in Carrefour Hypermarkets: from March 28 to April 10, 2023 E. Leclerc: from March 21 to April 1, 2023. Monoprix: from March 15 to 26, 2023. La Cave aux Galeries Lafayette: from March 17 to April 7, 2023. Nicolas: from March 1 to 26, 2023. The chain of wine merchants V and B: from April 19 to May 1, 2023, Be ready I will be early March in Vannes stay tune for the best in wines ! The wine fairs are all over France enjoy them and get plenty of good deals.
On March 23,2023 the Bonhams-Cornette de Saint-Cyr house will auction a set of more than 150 bottles from the prestigious La Romanée-Conti estate, including whole cases of vintages between 1989 and 2010. A perfection, indeed, for silk wines considered by many to be the best in the world. A myth, linked to the Old Regime (monarchy) around the figure of the Prince of Bourbon, also Prince of Conti, which has persisted for years. Each vintage of Pinot Noir enshrines this nectar in legend. It will be recalled that Louis XIV was already drinking it at Versailles, on the advice of his doctor, Fagon, to treat his stomach ailments. A few km from the village of Vosne-Romanée, with its 1.81 ha of vines, only 6,000 bottles (on average) come out of the estate each year. A size and a rarity therefore, which create covetousness and justify the price, since Romanée-Conti is the only wine that cannot be purchased at the property, whether individually or in cases of six or twelve bottles. Unless you are accredited or can benefit from the coveted allowances, a means nevertheless serves as a parade: the auction. Among them, two batches of 12 bottles in 2009 and 2005 from La Tâche, Richebourg, Romanée Saint-Vivant, Grands-Échézeaux and Échézeaux ,all grands crus adjoining or neighboring the queen as well as a Montrachet, the only grand cru in white of the estate, expected between 60,000 and 80,000 euros. Also noteworthy, and in addition to the bottles from the La Romanée-Conti estate, is a wide range of vintages signed Crystal by Louis Roederer, “Vins fin” March 23, 2023 La maison Bonhams-Cornette de Saint-Cyr 6, avenue Hoche 8éme,Paris Webpage : https://www.bonhams.com/auction/28840/wine/
I would love to, but not in Paris to take part in the next Figaro Vin lunch on Wednesday March 15, 2023 and taste the wines of the famous Burgundy house Louis Jadot (see post) in the Goncourt salon of the Drouant restaurant. If the story begins in 1826 with the acquisition in Beaune of the mythical Clos des Ursules. Maison Louis Jadot now has 200 ha of vines, including more than 100 ha in Côte-d’Or, with a large number of wines, and remarkable grand cru, premier cru and village appellation vineyards. This lunch will be a overview of their best plots on the Côte de Beaune. Thomas Seiter, president of Maison Louis Jadot, successor to Pierre-Henry Gagey, since January 2023, will share his vision and his passion for the profession during this oenological lunch, alongside Frédéric Durand-Bazin, deputy editorial director of Private individual and wine journalist at Le Figaro, as well as Stéphane Durand-Souffland, gastronomic columnist at Le Figaro, The lunch-tasting will take place in one of the private rooms of the prestigious restaurant Drouant, an address frequented by the editorial staff of Le Figaro, and which knows how to perfectly combine gastronomy , refinement and culture. The historic Salon Goncourt, which since 1914 has hosted the academicians of the eponymous literary prize, opens its doors to us for this exclusive oenological lunch (13 places). Date: at 12h15 on Wednesday March 15, 2023, Location: Drouant, 16-18, place Gaillon, 2éme, Price: 210€ (195€ for Figaro subscribers as I), Webpage : https://boutique.lefigaro.fr/produit/135910-les-dejeuners-du-figaro-vin-louis-jadot
The 6th edition of Champagne Tasting organized by Terre de Vins on Saturday May 13, 2023 at the Palais Brongniart (see post), Champagne Tasting, is the unmissable event for champagne enthusiasts. More than sixty houses and winegrowers of excellence will be present. The opportunity for visitors to update Champagne know-how and its legendary terroirs Champagne Tasting is taking place this year and for the first time in the prestigious Palais Brongniart, place de la Bourse in the 2éme arrondissement of Paris. A key monument, essential, sumptuous and steeped in history, the Palais Brongniart was erected at the request of Napoleon 1st and takes the name of the architect who drew up the plans: Alexandre Théodore Brongniart. A marvelous spot and great event again Paris is not in the cards for now, but if you are there enjoy it sure bet, Webpage : https://www.palaisbrongniart.com/en/practical-informations
The 2023 Oscars: Brad Pitt , Champagne honored, Fleur de Miraval signed Brad PittThis is the second year in a row that Fleur de Miraval, a young brand of rosé champagne launched in 2020, will be served at the Oscars ceremony on Monday, March 12 at the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood. Resulting from a collaboration between actor Brad Pitt, owner of Château Miraval rosés, the Provençal family Perrin and Péters champagnes, it is also the only champagne house to only offer rosé champagne. Bordeaux will be favored by the stars. Promoted to Official Partners of the Oscars, Clarendelle and the Clarence Dillon Estate (combining Château Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut-Brion and Quintus) will water the cups at the Awards Ceremony, Governors Ball and After-Party. official Oscar party. The history of this group dates back to 1935, when the American financier Clarence Dillon bought the first grand cru classé in 1855, Château Haut-Brion. The wines of Clarendelle, a brand created by his great-grandson, Prince Robert of Luxembourg, will be served, as well as the cuvée Le Dragon de Quintus and the white wine La Clarté de Haut-Brion. Clarendelle and Haut-Brion are not their first collaboration with the world of cinema, since they have already burst the screen in Emily in Paris, Matrix Reloaded or the series The Crown. Webpage : https://www.dolbytheatre.com/tickets/box-office-information/
A safe bet of the northern Rhône, Saint-Joseph arrogates the preferences of connoisseurs concerned with good wines at the best price ,On the right bank of the Rhône, caught in the meanders of the river, the appellation slips its rows of vines and scatters between varied soils, climates and territories The extent of the appellation , 60 km from north to south, between Côte-Rôtie and Cornas, and the temperaments of the winegrowers who compose it forge all these differences. An AOP since 1956, around 1,400 hectares, Production: reds (86%), whites (14%), One of the best values always is the Cave de Tain, with this time the Esprit de Granit, Rouge 2019, A key player in the northern Rhône, this dynamic cooperative has proven its effectiveness. On this cuvée, it plays it safe, ensuring a plush juice, with assumed aging, not devoid of freshness and tension. It is perfectly executed, generous, served by a rich vintage ensuring the desired scope. Also, the mighty Maison Ogier, with the Les Marches de Granit, Rouge 2021, Based in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this important player in the Rhône Valley is also trying to explore the northern terroirs and set foot in Saint-Joseph. Straightforward, this red recites a fresh juice, delicate, fine, punctuated with small, slightly catchy structuring tannins and a finish of fine bitterness. Webpage appellation : https://www.vins-rhone.com/en/vineyard/appellations/saint-joseph
The emerging Le Clos de Caille, the new domain of Provence, Admittedly, the name dates back a few centuries, but it is indeed a recent creation. The site, embedded in the heart of a forest of oaks and pines, stretches lengthwise over several plots and a few buildings. It is reached by a dirt road that winds through the heart of green Provence, about 30 km from the coast and Saint-Tropez. The Mariotti family have been planting vines, Syrah, Grenache, Rolle there for thirty years… a 7-hectare property, between Saint-Antonin-du-Var and Entrecasteaux, in the Var , Already two vintages, designed by oenologist-cellar master Hélène Sinaeve come from the vat nearing completion. The red is not yet in focus. Whites and rosés are serious. Le Clos de Caille blanc 2022, a 100% Rolle, with its citrus nose, its notes of white flowers, has the sweetness of a spring breeze. Light, elegant, this is the advanced sketch of a great white from Provence. For its part, the Clos de Caille rosé 2021, a wine dominated by notes of white fruits, from Grenache vines (50%) , cinsault (30%), cabernet sauvignon (10%) and syrah, has a very smooth texture. The woody touch reinforces its character. Note also the assertive personality of Clos de Caille Clarisse voted best rosé 2021 in the world by the British magazine Decanter. To stand out in a highly competitive rosé market, the Mariotti launched The One, a one-litre bottle. As a label, a celadon blue typography ! Indeed sublime ! Webpage : https://www.closdecaille.com/en/
The Cassis: pretty whites in an idyllic setting, twelve estates share the 210 hectares of this delightful vineyard where no less than 75% of the surface area is certified organic. White remains the spearhead of the appellation.Clos Sainte Magdeleine 2021, In an exuberant phase, not a great concentration of material, an uprightness and a certain depth emerge. It needs to settle down. Wait a year in the bottle before opening it, very nice,Webpage : https://www.clossaintemagdeleine.fr/lesvins
We fell in love with this white wine from the Sud-Ouest or South-West full of freshness, with aromas of mango: the Hegoxuri 2021 cuvée from Domaine Arretxea in AOC Irouléguy. The Hegoxuri 2021 brings together several plots of the estate vinified and aged in casks and demi-muids: the cooler vintage imposes itself on the exotic fruit; here, mango dominates, with this salinity that runs along the range The Hegoxuri cuvée is a blend of two terroirs, Schist and Sandstone. Three grape varieties, Gros Manseng 55%, Petit Manseng 25% and Petit Courbu 20%. It is a cool vintage with a lack of sunshine, a wine more about freshness than richness. On the nose, citrus fruits and white flowers. A fresh, mineral, tangy palate with lingering tension. Delicious indeed ! See in your area for now webpage : https://domaine-arretxea.com/vins/hegoxuri/
And finally, as usual , a bit on the culinary greatness of my belle France pair with the best wines in the world, generally speaking, In France, the beef bourguignon is a classic for family dinners. This is a beef stew recipe from Burgundy (genuine but can be replace by other regions). Beef, mushrooms and bacon are cooked with red Burgundy wine (this is a must). If cooked successfully, the beef offers a tender and mellow texture in the mouth. serve a red wine with heady notes and rich in alcohol, from a rather young vintage. If you want to do without this color, opt for a dry rosé wine produced in Marsannay (Burgundy), which offers aromas of vine peach. Other regions I have tried over the years and just as good are in Bordeaux, choose red wines with round tannins, produced in particular in Saint-Émilion and Haut-Médoc. In the Sud-Ouest or South-West, pick Gaillac and Cahors, two appellations that deliver powerful red wines rich in tannins. In the Loire Valley, still look for structured wines, with body, especially in Saumur-Champigny., Traditional recipe calls for about 5 hours of cooking but easy to do and not expensive, 4 onions, 4 carrots, 100 grams butter, salt and pepper to taste, 600 grams of beef , a good bottle of red burgundy wine, and garnish bouquet, First , cut the meat into 3 cm cubes, remove large pieces of fat, Cut the onion into pieces. Brown it in a pan with butter. Once transparent, pour it into a cast iron casserole dish. Do the same with the meat but several times, until all the pieces are cooked. Gradually add them to the pot. Don’t be afraid to add butter between each batch. When all the meat is in the pot, deglaze the pan with water or wine and boil, scraping up the juice. Salt, pepper, add to the rest. Cover everything with some of the wine and simmer for a few hours with the bouquet garni and the sliced carrots. The next day, simmer for at least 2 hours in batches, adding wine or water if necessary. The secret is to brown the meat well over high heat so that it is very golden or even almost black. The more the dish will have simmered very gently with resting phases, the better it will be (3 days is even better),
There you go folks, another wine episode of my belle France! The wines news from France that is, superbe, sublime, wonderful, gorgeous, enjoy without moderation but accompanying a meal, family table just perfect. Stay warm and see you in the vineyards of France
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 