Again back at you with the best of wines news of France. By the way for the non Romans LVIII is no 58, The wines of France are just super simply awesome and a great tradition. Often imitated, some time equaled ,but never surpass! Therefore, let me tell you some news shall we. Hope you enjoy it as I.
The Idealwine auction house unveiled its latest barometer on the auction market in 2023. In France, the wine auction market fell by 2.7% in 2023, for a total value of 110 million euros. However, some wines did not fail to panic the pockets in 2023, Just to give you 3, a bottle (75cl) of Romanée-Conti Grand Cru Rouge 2015 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti- Burgundy, Auction Price: € 22,912 bought by a professional in Italy , A bottle (75 cl) of Musigny Grand Cru Rouge 2011 Domaine Leroy- Burgundy, Auction Price: € 22,444 purchased by an individual in France ,and a bottle (75 cl) of Romanée-Conti Rouge 2010
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti-Burgundy Auction Price: € 21,409 bought by an individual in France, Just saying ,,,,,Webpage : https://www.idealwine.com/uk/index.jsp
One of the oldest wine regions in France, the SudOuest or South West is full of history and know-how. (my sentimental region) , Extended from the reliefs of the Massif Central to the foothills of the Pyrenees, and from the banks of the Garonne to the beaches of the Basque Country, the southwest vineyard is divided into 6 entities: Aveyron, the Tarn basin, the Lot valley, the basin Garonnais, Gascogne, Pyrenean Piedmont. The region has a large renowned thanks to its 30 AOC classified appellations. Wine production is mainly composed of red and rosé wines (80% of regional production), the rest consists of white wines. The best known names in the region are Monbazillac, Cahors, Madiran, Fronton, Buzet, Jurançon and Bergerac. All good::) The AOC Monbazillac: only made up of white wines, this is the first name producing luxury in the world. Monbazillac wines are known worldwide for their married power to a high sugar density. The AOC Cahors: world famous wine designation, its production is located along the tendencies of the Lot in the foothills of the Massif Central. The Cahors exists only in red wine, it is produced from the Malbec, Merlot and Tannat grape varieties. The AOC Madiran: exclusively composed of powerful red wines, the Madiran is produced near the Adour in the Aquitaine basin. Wine with a dark dress, it is composed at least 50% of Tannat. The AOC Fronton: Production located around the city of Fronton, west of the Piedmont of the Massif Central, there are mainly red and rosé wines. The AOC Buzet: appellation of the Agen region, this vineyard is delimited by the Garonne to the north and east, and by the Landes forest massif to the west. In red wine, they produce from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc grape varieties. For the development of white wines, the Sauvignon, Muscadelle and Sémillon grape varieties are requested. The AOC Jurançon: Wine produced in the Béarn region, production is mainly worn on dry and soft white wines. The AOC Bergerac: production located southwest of the Dordogne, on the banks of the river of the same name, they develop aromatic, light and flexible wines, to consume young. All awesome::) Webpage : https://www.vignobles-sudouest.fr/us/
The Val de Loire area is renowned for its historic Renaissance castles and its natural beauty, the Loire Valley is also one of the most famous wine regions in France. The Loire Valley vineyard is a large area of French wine production, bringing together several wine regions. A surface area of 70,000 hectares and 960 km long, the Loire valley vineyard is divided into 5 large sub-regions: Nantes, Anjou-Saumur, Touraine, Centre-Loire and Auvergne, The Loire Valley viticultural Region brings together 53 names of controlled appellation of origin (AOC), each specific to a wine sub-region. Among the names best known by sub-region, we find: in Auvergne: AOC Saint Pourçain, AOC Côtes d’Auvergne, AOC Côte Roannaise, IGP Puy-Dedome. In the Loire center: AOC Sancerre, AOC Pouilly Fumé, AOC Menetou-Salon, AOC Quincy. In Touraine: AOC Chinon, AOC Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, AOC Cheverny, AOC Vouvray, AOC Montlouis-sur-Loire, AOC Touraine. In Anjou-Saumur: AOC Saumur-Champigny, AOC Anjour-Villages, AOC Savennières, AOC Quarts-de-Chaume, AOC Coteaux de l’Aubance, AOC Bonnezeaux, AOC Crémant de Loire, AOC Saumur Mousseaux, AOC Carbernet d ‘ Anjou, AOC Rosé d’Anjou, AOC Rosé de Loire. In the Nantes country: AOC Muscadet, AOC Gros Plant of the Nantes country. The Loire Valley produces 45% white wines, 26% rosés, 19% red wines and 10% of effervescent wines. The most popular red grape varieties in the region are the Cabernet Franc (53% of the grape varieties), the Gamay (14% of the grape varieties), the Grolleau and the Pinot Noir (each 7% of the grape varieties) and finally the Cabernet-Sauvignon (5% of the grape varieties) The Cabernet Franc: grape planned in the sub-region of Anjou-Saumur, it produces light red wines, with aromas of cherries and spices. This grape also makes it possible to produce the Cabernet d’Anjou, a sweet and fruity rosé wine. Gamay: Red Touraine grape variety, Gamay produces wines that deploy aromas of red fruits and subtle floral aromas. The Grolleau: Anjou-Saumur grape used in the production of rosé wines from Anjou, it gives light and not very colorful wines. Pinot Noir: cultivated in the Sancerre region, this grape produces light and fruity red wines, with aromas of raspberries and cherries. The Cabernet-Sauvignon: grape variety developing powerful wines, it reveals aromas of blackcurrant, violet and black cherries. The most popular white grape varieties in this region are the Sauvignon Blanc (31% of the grape varieties), the White Chenin (29% of the grape varieties), the Burgundy melon (27% of the grape varieties) and the Chardonnay ( 9% of the grape varieties): The Sauvignon Blanc: planted in Touraine and Center-Loire, this grape variety is one of the most popular grape varieties in the Loire Valley. It is used in the production of dry and aromatic white wines. The Chenin Blanc: another emblematic grape variety of the Loire Valley, planted in Anjou-Saumur and Centre-Loire, it is used to produce a wide variety of white wines. It produces dry, semi-secs and soft wines, with aromas of white fruits, honey and nuts. The Melon of Burgundy: produced in Auvergne and in the country, Nantes, this grape variety produces dry white wines like Muscadet. Chardonnay: white grape variety, it produces wines with various aromas with citrus and dried fruit notes. Webpage : https://www.vinsvaldeloire.fr/en
The Maison Albert Bichot may be proud to have trained after other Burgundian houses Albéric Bichot, who has run the family house since 1996, says: “My grandfather, born in 1900, had cleared the American market (in the 1920s) and we kept all the letters he wrote to his father ”. Enough to make the child dream then. This distant market, coupled with readings inviting to travel, undoubtedly contributed to shape its explorating soul and to develop its taste for nature. Terre Adélie,is also the name of the last domain acquired by Albert Bichot in Mercurey… The Maison Albert Bichot house has chosen to send its wines by the sea aboard the cargo- Grain de Sail (same folks I get my Mexican coffees!!) who left the port of Saint-Malo on March 15, direction New York! The great tasting which took place Monday March 25, at 228 rue de Rivoli Paris in the Pompadour lounge of the Palace Le Meurice enjoyed it without moderation! Almost three hundred tasters were greeted by experts from the Albert Bichot domains: individual customers, business clubs, agents, restaurateurs, wine merchants, influencers and other journalists, Webpage : https://www.albert-bichot.com/en
The Pessac-Léognan: terroirs of excellence at the gates of Bordeaux , The anecdote is that wines from this region I helped sell to restaurants and hotels in Miami FL back in the 1990’s to a nice man great great grand nephew of Captain Dreyfus who was living at the time in Palm Beach, Memories forever ! Anyway, this is a serious wine,done from clays, sands, limestones wearing all the grape varieties in the region, black as well as white. The appellation area corresponds to the northwest of the viticultural region of the Graves, closer to Pomerol, for all that, the Cabernet-Sauvignon is the majority , On these soils, the maturity of the grapes is perfectly reached regardless of the vintage with the Merlot easily adapting to the different types of soils, the deep Merlot/Graves couple is not the most common thus For its part, the small verdot is often installed on hot seriously deep to guarantee a good water supply to the vineyard, because this grape variety does not bear the lack of water., As for the Cabernet Franc, it finds it more difficult to place here, The red wines of Pessac-Léognan can come from the Cabernet-Sauvignon , Merlot , petit verdot, Cabernet Franc or Carmenère (Cot, Malbec), The terroir of Pessac-Léognan is famous for its white Sauvignon, Sémillon , and Sauvignon gris grapes or Muscadelle, The appellation was created AOC in 1987 with 16 Crus classified from Graves (1953 and 1959) including a first Grand Cru classified in 1855 (Château Haut-Brion), the planted surface is of 1,640 ha. With an annual production of 70,000 hl including 80% red webpage : https://www.pessac-leognan.com/en/
The Côteaux du Lyonnais are celebrating their 40th anniversary!of obtaining the AOC, The appellation area is absolutely gigantic. 7000 potential hectares, as much as all Beaujolais. Only 180 hectares are today covered with vines with a limited number of actors, about fifteen on the red and rosé side, it is king the Gamay who has perfectly acclimated here and is the only one to have the right of using it, We can, also, find Gamay de Bouze and Gamay de Chaudenay. On the white side, Chardonnay and Aligoté reign supreme over a minority production (15%). Pinot Blanc, although authorized in the appellation is not used today. Webpage : https://www.coteaux-du-lyonnais.com/en/the-designation/
From Mont Ventoux to Saint-Tropez, the region fascinates celebrities who dream of making wine there. This is in particular the case of Ridley Scott, owner of the Mas des Infermières , This is particularly the case of Patrick Bruel at the Domaine de Léos in the fourth poorest department in France, historic land of Lafarge cement tiles, quarries and firecrackers,and from Pastis (born near Avignon), Ducros spices, the Vaucluse has been deindocated but its wonderful landscapes and its tourist sites fascinate celebrities. In recent months, in the center of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a crane has been active above a 600 m2 building bought by the singer. Objective: to redo everything to raise a hotel dedicated to cosmetic care on the edge of the Sorgue. Olive -based cosmetic treatments of course. 49 rooms, a spa, a restaurant, a club-club and a coworking space, an art gallery, a space dedicated to discovery and experiences around wine, a boutique hotel but no Casino, I have previously mentioned this beauty from the Domaine de Leos, an IGP Mediterranean Augusta 2023 with the Grenache of the cuvée is toned by the Bourboulenc and the Vermentino. His seat is mainly carried by a slight peler who gives it a tonic character. Pleasant exotic point on the nose. The fresh mouth is well marked by biting acidity. Of a fairly complex personality, the wine develops saffron notes in the final, Good deal indeed ! Webpage : https://www.domainedeleos.com/en/
Webpage : https://masdesinfermieres.com/
And as we love it, What wine with a grilled pig? Take the side of moderately powerful red wines in the mouth and slightly tanic to accompany this little pig. Loire wines: Chinon, Saumur, Saumur Champigny, Bourgueil, wines that breathe the earth … or “earthy” as some would say! Bordeaux wines: Graves, Côtes-de-Blaye, Première-Côtes-de-Bordeaux, Médoc, Lussac Saint-Emilion. Côtes-du-Rhône wines: Costière de Nîmes, Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Lirac, Côtes-de-Ventoux, Cairanne. After that is a question of preference and personal taste because other wines could completely drink with a grilled pig, Oh well discussion to be continue lol !
Last but not least, this is from a dear region of my belle France and family on wife’s side that we have criss cross forever and still more, Let me tell you about a cooperative we buy and like a lot, Located northeast of Toulouse in the town of Saint-Sulpice, and covering an area of 12,000 m², the new building host the group’s support services, two bottling lines and a storage area. It replaces the 3 bottling sites in Rabastens (81), Fronton (31) and Parnac (46). This is cooperative Vinovalie, Les Portes du Tarn, 81370 Saint-Sulpice, You can visit them as it is onlyless than 15 minutes from the Toulouse ring road on the A68 autoroute or highway exit/sortie 5. A group the first property was founded in 1953, Vinovalie – Cave de Rabastens, with its 1,300 ha of vines, is located between Toulouse and Albi. The cellar is specialized in the design of wines with accessible and gourmet profiles, Then, Vinovalie – Cave de Fronton founded in 1946, located in the heart of the vineyard between Toulouse and Montauban, the cellar has imposed itself as 1st producer of southern rosé, They, with at the head of the bow, the sacred Cuvée Best Rosé in the world in Cannes in 2008 and 2016. Today, Fronton is recognized as being the vineyard which sublimates the rosé thanks to its grape variety unique in the world, the Negrette, founded In 1953, Vinovalie – Cave de Técou, with its 465 ha of vines, was located between Toulouse and Albi, in the heart of the Gaillacois vineyard on the left bank of the Tarn. It is a pioneer with regard to barrel breeding and now has 650 225 -liter barrels of capacity. Vinovalie, Caves de la Côtes d’Olt, with its 900 ha of vines, is located 15 minutes from Cahors towards Luzech. We vinify prestigious castles and domains such as the Château Les Bouysses, Château Les Rigalets and the Cayx castle (property of the Queen of Denmark). Come and discover the aging chai from 1200 barrels and the ultra modern tasting cellar. Vinovalie – Château Les Bouysses, the Château Les Bouysses is an atypical place, a beautiful property which takes its name from an extraordinary entrance: the longest driveway in Europe, the cuvées of the castle Les Bouysses are distinguished by an assembly from of a parcel selection of old vines, essentially Malbec and controlled and low yields. Sublime we have visited the caves or cellars of Rabastens, and Técou, Do go for their superbe inexpensive Terreo reds, Webpage on the Vinovalie Terreo wines : https://www.vinovalie.com/en/terreo
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. See you in the vineyards of my belle France, Again, hope you enjoy the post as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 