Well, we are in Spring, sunny hot 28C or about 82F 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 XLIX is no 49, 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.
I guess they keep hitting us with the climate change looks like when covid19 ! Now the big question is will we still drink wine in 2050? This is because of the latest natural phenomenon such as floods in Italy, drought in France and Spain, fires of rare intensity in Australia and the United States etc, The planet is shaken by meteorological episodes of extraordinary violence which are all signs of ongoing climate change, To compensate for the effects of these upheavals, some are testing new grape varieties, others are planting on colder land or located at altitude. Everywhere, it is a question of continuing to make the same wine while everything is changing. History repeats itself since antiquity just read, I won’t get to 2050 but will continue to drink wines until then ,,,La vie est belle !!!!
Terroirs et Vignerons de Champagne (TEVC), which owns the leading champagne brand in France Nicolas Feuillatte, believes that the rise in the price of sparkling wine will continue , After an increase deemed “very reasonable” of “7-8% in 2022” , bottles of champagne are expected to cost “about 10%” more in 2023 , Of course, this is due to climate change too ,,,,,The electricity bill which is used in particular to cool the cellars has doubled over one year to three million euros and glass bottles 56% , Of course ,better for them to say lack of planning ahead did this instead of mismanagement, For its first year as a TEVC, the group achieved “extremely encouraging” results.< oh yes this is ,also,related to climate change as net profit was down 35% to 12.5 million euros. The TEVC is also waiting to finalize the purchase of Henriot champagne from billionaire François Pinault’s wine company, Artémis Domaines. This acquisition would allow it to own his first three hectares. About forty other hectares will be exploited on a rental basis. And keep an eye on climate changes there too.
In the mouth, the temperature of the wine modifies the properties of our sensory sensors and the resulting perceptions. Thus, if the wine is too cold, the activation of certain taste cells is reduced and the intensity of the flavor fades. Conversely, if it is too hot, the molecules evaporate suddenly. The wine becomes indelicate and less complex, Elementary my dear Watson ! The Crozes-Hermitage appellation recently launched a forum of 130 AOC cellars or houses and 50 catering professionals. Their objective ? Make professionals and amateurs aware of the importance of the serving temperature of red wines without forgetting to mobilize them. The term or the custom was born in Switzerland around 1870. In any case, chambering a red wine means taking it out of the cellar where it is kept cool and then bringing it to room temperature. On the room where it will be consumed. Exit the received ideas according to which one chambers a bottle by letting it warm up to room temperature. It is indeed necessary and sometimes, to refresh it by means of a bucket with a little ice for example. Red wines reach their optimum within a particular range of temperatures, between 14° and 18° degrees to simplify, which is well above the temperatures covered by household appliances, but often below the temperature ambient as we can measure it in our contemporary interiors, well insulated and (over)heated, So you know your temperature adjust it simple, I have an old fashion cellar and bring them up a couple hours before drinking it, simple.
At Château Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse, Premier Grand Cru Classé B of Saint-Émilion , which is a 7-hectare property in Saint-Émilion, an iconic appellation on the right bank of Bordeaux, The property enjoys an exceptional terroir of limestone plateaus. The Premier Grand Cru Classé extends over rows of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, in order to sign wines of remarkable brilliance. After being passed down from generation to generation since 1847, the property suffered a tumultuous sale in 2021. Château Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse is now jointly owned by 33-year-old Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse , the last of the family to be present at the château , and Prisca Courtin, 35, granddaughter of the founder of Clarins (French cosmetics etc), Jacques Courtin , The Joséphine follows her grandfather’s advice ,and her father repeated it ; people pass away, and the terroir remains. I can’t sell what doesn’t belong to me. So I will never sell, at any price. Good for her keep the tradition alive bravo chapeau !!! Good wine too !
Champagne Lanson frees itself from its emblematic Black Label cuvée to transform it into Black Création Lanson, one of the oldest, continues its transformation by developing its flagship cuvée, Black Création, formerly Black Label. This is to ensure the sustainability of the house’s trademark Black Creation 257, which corresponds to the 257th blend since the creation of the Lanson house in 1760. They could see there a desire to vintage a champagne… non-vintage. Moreover, at Lanson, they prefer to speak of brut multi-vintage rather than brut without year.
How about a nice grape less known but should be more, The Cabernet Franc in all its forms ! This great grape variety which notably gave birth to merlot and cabernet-sauvignon deserved a symposium to understand all its diversity , It is produced on 31,000 ha in France, the eighth most used grape variety, The cabernet franc of the Loire Valley differs from that of Bordeaux, which is also different from that of Irouléguy (Béarn). A variation accentuated by the use of clones and rootstock over the years, Great wines especially from the Loire !!
The world famous Beaujolais reds, wines to be served chilled , They have 10 crus stand out from the AOC Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages: Juliénas, Saint-Amour, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly and Côtes-de-Brouilly. Of course definitively not confuse with the more famous Beaujolais Nouveau !! Two areas we love at home over the years are : The Fleurie, with its delicate and elegant profile, is ideal for an aperitif or with a dish of white meat and small vegetables. Its floral aromas full of freshness balance the more gourmet fruity notes. And the ,Brouilly, with its savory notes of strawberry, raspberry or plum, is the wine of conviviality par excellence. It will accompany all friendly or family get-togethers on sunny days.
For wine lovers ,this is a must to have indeed, The Le Nez Du Vin, star book of the series “Les Gouttes de Dieu” inspired by the manga adaptation of the successful manga which transcribes the love of the Japanese for French wines. The adaptation of the successful manga of 44 volumes, and 15 million copies sold worldwide since 2008 ,thus honors the famous book-object of Jean-Lenoir editions without it being a product placement . Composed of 54 aromas and a complete book, it allows you to practice recognizing the aromas of wines, to better know how to talk about them. And, indeed, this box has been designed to train and identify the different flavors that a wine can express. And it’s true that the aromas are of capital importance, since they are precious clues to define its characteristics: its region, its terroir, its grape varieties, its vintage or its method of vinification. Created in 1981 and made in France, the educational tool-book is sold in 70 countries and translated into 11 languages, including Japanese. The next version will be Korean. Webpage : https://www.lenez.com/fr/coffrets/vin/grand-modele-54
Let me give you some direction aka recommendations, follow me you won’t be wrong ok
From the other side right bank of Bordeaux or rive droite:
Château Roc de Cambes ,Côtes-de-Bourg, An intense, concentrated, sharp nose, with black-blue fruits, with an aromatic burst like ink which pulls the wine upwards. It is a dynamic wine, almost incarnate, which makes forward movements of the mouth. A lot of personality emerges from it, it is salivating, extremely supple and nubile in the mouth. A Bordeaux like no other, worth the detour without hesitation.
Château de Carles – Château Haut-Carles , Fronsac, An exhilarating and sappy nose, which combines ripe fruit, floral aromas (iris, rose petals) and blackcurrant leaf. The mouth, highlighted by velvety tannins, is voluptuous and opulent, while retaining freshness and panache. The finish, long as desired, is salivating and greedy.
Château D’Aiguilhe ,Castillon – Côtes de Bordeaux ,An airy nose, with a palette of fresh, light but intense aromas of raspberry, iris and field flowers, while the wine becomes salivating, tangy, invigorating and refreshing on the palate.
And head over to the top, the Médoc red wines from Listrac-Médoc, Haut-Médoc or Moulis-en-Médoc :
Château Cantemerle , Haut-Médoc, Aromas of ripe fruit, lavender, warm hay and dry aromatic herbs help compose a complex and unique bouquet, quivering and rustic. On the palate, the substance is harmonious and delights in ripe fruit. The texture is caressing and soothing, with a finish full of chewiness.
Château Fourcas Hosten ,Listrac-Médoc , A basket of dark berries and opulent flowers help compose an attractive bouquet. On the palate, the texture is caressing, round and dense, with velvety, almost sweet tannins. The density is there, with heat and a very measured alcohol. The finish is generous and straight, with a little salivating bitterness.
Château Rollan de By, Médoc, Roundness, silkiness, suppleness, delicacy and charm… We could continue to look for qualifiers for this very successful vintage, once again. Everything is in place to give a great wine within a few months, with a bright and ripe fruit, tannins already perfectly melted and a controlled acidity.
Château Chasse-Spleen, Moulis or Moulis-en-Médoc, Hot stone, rubber, cooked black fruits and a hint of smoke make up a very pleasant, elegant and complex nose. Delicious, round and harmonious, the palate is fresh and evokes the juiciness of blueberries and wild blackberries. The tannins, still a little austere, awaken the palate while the freshness carries the finish with minty notes.
Château Fourcas Dupré, Listrac-Médoc , Delicate nose of very ripe red and black fruits and opulent flowers that make up a bouquet of caressing sweetness. A large tannic mass imposes itself as a first impression in the mouth, then the substance becomes more silky and reveals itself to be fine and elegant.
Château Clarke, Listrac-Médoc, The rich classic aromas of Médoc wines blackcurrant, mint, graphite contribute to a very fresh and engaging bouquet. The fruit on the palate is very charming and sweet. The tannins bring velvety and the finish, delicately fresh, gives a feeling of fullness. A very nice wine.
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. We are in Spring, see you in the vineyards of France
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 