Again back at you with the best of wines news of France. By the way for the non Romans LXIII is no 63, 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 Wine Fall Fair 2024 is coming up !! and we are ready !!! The Auchan Supermarket from September 10 to September 29, Monoprix: from September 13 to September 29, Carrefour hypermarket : from September 24 to October 7, Auchan hypermarkets: from September 24 to October 7, and E. Leclerc : from October 1 to October 13 (September 23 Invitation for me!) Also, wine stores such as Lavinia: From September 2 to October 6, La Cave aux Galeries Lafayette: from September 5 to September 29, La Grande Épicerie de Paris: from September 6 to October 6, V and B: from September 11 to September 25, and Nicolas : from September 11 to October 8, Sublime ! I go on site or wine fairs to taste many wines for sale, sometimes in the presence of winegrowers. The inaugural evenings are an effective way to obtain an AOP bottle of this or that domain that is not found, however mentioned in the catalog. The available quantity of a famous domain is sometimes very reduced and the wine is out of stock the same evening. There you go , need to be there first ; counting on on September 23rd 2024 at 18h in Vannes (Morbihan 56).
The Second label wine fair or Foire aux Seconds Vins 2024. Come to taste and know more of the second wines and meet around fifty famous Bordeaux properties. We give you an appointment on Saturday October 12, 2024 from 10h to 19h at the hangar 14, 115, Quai des Chartrons on the quays of
Bordeaux , this unique day will be an opportunity to leave with your favorites while benefiting from the 6th Bottle offered and your reimbursed entrance (€ 10). Enjoy local products in our food spaces. Webpage info : https://www.gironde-tourisme.com/en/fetes-manifestations/foire-aux-second-vins/
The tension is palpable in the world of Bordeaux wines while the classification of Crus Bourgeois
vintages is preparing to be updated in 2025. This five -year revision, governed by the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois , raises questions among producers, consumers , and market players. However, while the union seemed to have reached its cruising rate, the 2025 revision of the ranking is already upset with rumors of massive withdrawals and other controversies raising the question of the credibility of bourgeois wines. The bourgeois wines are a historical classification of the Medocaine vineyard, bringing together estates which were not included in the classification of the great classified vintages of 1855 but which produce superior wines. If the first ‘‘ serious ’’ classification of bourgeois vintages was born in 1932, it was not until 1962 that the alliance of crus bourgeois wines was created. Today, the union brings together approximately 250 estates, including 180 bourgeois vintage, 56 superior bourgeois vintages and 14 exceptional bourgeois vintages. They represent more than 30% of the Médoc production with around 28,000,000 annual bottles. This allows them, at least on this plane to compete with the great classified wines or Grand Crus, Official Alliance des Crus Bourgeois : https://www.crus-bourgeois.com/map/
The 2024 vintage will certainly be a bad date in Muscadet , but unfortunately not for good reasons the forecasts count on a production of 150,000 hectoliters of wine on 6,000 hectares, which represents almost half less than in 2023, a year deemed in the average with 275,000 hectoliters.The most terrible and the most unexpected is the phenomenon of spinning, which corresponds to an inflorescence by twist inducing the abortion of the pimples before flowering. It is neither a vine disease nor an insect, it is rather a manifestation of the distress of the vineyard which renounces to produce grapes. The old vines in conventional agriculture are particularly subject. The rain has also favored the appearance of a virulent mildiou, which has particularly haunted winegrowers in organic and biodynamic agriculture if this harvest 2024 promises to be catastrophic, the situation in the cellar is much better according to the Fédération des vins de Nantes. Webpage : https://www.muscadet.fr/en/the-federation/
In France, wine production would amount to 39.3 million hectoliters, down 18%, according to the Ministry’s Statistics Service , Agreste, based on estimates established on September 1. In Italy, after the “disastrous” harvested last year, the harvest should lead to an 8% increase in wine production, which should be established “between 41 and 42 million hectoliters,” said Coldiretti on Wednesday. The bad Italian pass in 2023 had led France to delight it the place of the world’s leading producer of wine. But since 2007, apart from 2011 and 2014, Italy has always kept the place of the world’s leading producer, according to figures from the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV). I must say remember, quantity does not equal quality, just saying ……
In Cantenac (Margaux), at the gates of the Bordeaux agglomeration, Château Kirwan has played the viticultural tourism card since 1955, in the footsteps of Camille Godard who practiced reception on the estate from the 19C. In addition to its different visits formats, this family property for almost 100 years has also imagined an offer of original services. Among them, workshops to put all the senses on the alert, whether it be the scenery workshop creating a day to create its own sensual red perfume, imbued with aromas of Kirwan wines each format includes Also the tasting of ownership wines in accordance with experience. Webpage info : https://www.chateau-kirwan.com/en/venues-events/
On the Saint-Julien appellation, Château Beychevelle is a jewel that only asks to be discovered. Nestled in the heart of splendid French gardens having earned it the nickname of small Versailles du Médoc, this 19C domain in blonde stone arouses wonder. In addition to its 2 formats of guided tours (the admiral € 35/person and secret of initiates € 60/person), in order to make themselves accessible to an even larger number of curious people, the domain imagined more recently the strolls de Beychevelle. From April to the end of October, free access, visitors are invited to walk along the castle park trails, guided by a paneed circuit and a QR code, to discover local flora and fauna, as well as works of art. Webpage info : https://beychevelle.com/visiter-beychevelle/?lang=en
On the quays facing the estuary, Grand-Puy Ducasse is the only vintage whose castle, the cuvier and the cellars are located in the very heart of the village of Pauillac. Possessed by the Ca Grands Crus group, this classified vintage launched in 2021 its Renaissance project, a large phase of restructuring of the property around the construction of a new cuvier, of 2 new breeding cellars and a new store , as well as the creation of an open tourist offer since last July. 4 visits formats are now offered, among which in the skin of the chai master to discover 4 centuries of history in the footsteps of its founder by crossing the castle, its cuvier and its breeding cellars, before a tasting at the barrel of the 3 grape varieties making up the assembly of Grand-Puy Ducasse, and a commented tasting of the assemblies of the first and second wine with a view of the estuary, Webpage info : https://www.grandpuyducasse.fr/
Make a regenerating stop at the Château Marquis of Terme, a classified vintage of Margaux, to feast on the Marquis de Terme, a restaurant sheltered on the property. Behind this place inaugurated in the summer of 2021, hides the talent of the seasoned chef Grégory Coutanceau. Rochelais, the cook made his debuts alongside his father Richard and Alain Ducasse, before standing out on his own in 1997. Today, largely established in Charente Maritime (17) through several restaurants (the Flots and the Brasserie Bon Time in La Rochelle, the panoramic restaurant Vivre (s) and the Cantina in Rochefort), a cooking school (the Gourmet class) and a catering activity, this craftsman and entrepreneur bubbling with succulent ideas now has a foot in Bordeaux Médoc, In the evening, customers can taste a menu of the renewed market every week The wine list is neat, managed by master’s hand by the chef, long passionate about the wine universe in addition to the nectars of the domain, represented through a beautiful selection First and second wines on several vintage, Margaux is in the spotlight, with 21 great classified vintages of the appellation offered on 2 vintages. Webpage : https://au-marquis-de-terme.com/
The appellation Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame is quite recent since it was recognized only in 2009. Today, it extends in 17 town. This appellation, which is part of the Loire Valley vineyard, is 20 km south of the Loire river. Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame is one of the 7 appellations of the Saumurois. The other 6 are: Red Saumur, White Saumur, Brut Saumur,Coteaux de Saumur, Cabernet de Saumur and Saumur Champigny. Since the beginning of the 19C, the Enchantoir estate experienced several generations of winegrowers. It was in 2016 that Fabienne and Jean-Michel Brunet, passionate about wine and the Pays de Loire, arrived at the head of the estate. They are now helped by their children and grandchildren. The Domaine de l’Enchantoir has 17 hectares of vines with the following grape varieties: Chenin, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc. All the wines produced by the field have been certified “organic farming” since 2016. The Clos du Petit Chavannes cuvée has been developed from Cabernet Franc. Breeding is done for 2 years in oak barrels. The dress is intense. On the nose, aromas of red fruits emerge accompanied by spices. On the palate, the tannins are round and silky, the material is enveloping. The final is interesting. Domaine de l’Enchantoir, 4 rue de l’Arguray – Chavannes, Le Puy Notre-Dame, Webpage : https://enchantoir.fr/en
The Bernard Arnault LVMH’s group has just acquired 1.3 hectares from the Domaine Poisot Father & Fils in Aloxe-Corton for 15.5 million euros. Already the owner of the Domaine des Lambrays in Morey-Saint-Denis, the group of Bernard Arnault therefore gradually continues its expansion in Burgundy by buying these plots of Pernand-Vergelesses, Corton Grand Cru and Romanée-Saint-Saint-Grand Cru. The poisot family separated from its land because it could not settle inheritance rights. They remain operators of all the vines, the area has not been bought. They continue to work without any interference, LVMH just bought the land belonging to my family, because of the problems of succession, Official domaine webpage : https://www.domaine-poisot.fr/index-en.html
The town of Laudun located in the Gard obtained recognition of the INAO on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 as a municipal appellation and thus becomes the 18th Cru of the Côtes du Rhône. Wines produced on the appellation, at 70% red and 30% white, spread over 591 hectares the winegrowers and merchants of Laudun will have the joy of presenting what will therefore be the first vintage of their appellation at the beginning of next year during Wine Paris, the big mass of the wine planet which will take place from February 10 to 12, 2025, More info on Wine Paris webpage : https://wineparis.com/
And official côte de Rhône villages on Laudun wines : http://www.vin-laudun.fr/en/visit-us
What differences between natural wine, biodynamic wine and organic wine? Confuse ? Me too, but is a price to pay for ecolos which know nothing of the land, Anyway, inscriptions on wine bottles are becoming more and more numerous, but not necessarily understood with everyone. A label, as a general rule, is a certificate issued by a certified organization which guarantees that a product complies with specific standards written in specifications. It is a crucial indicator for wine, because the labels respect very specific specifications. Thus, it allows consumers to identify the product, The more popular ones are :
Bio certification resulting from organic wine farming , guarantees that no chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, is used in vineyards, thus promoting biodiversity and preserving soil health. Biological wines include 2 labels: AB is a label given by the “Ministry of Agriculture”. This manages sustainable management for agriculture. It certifies 95% ingredients from organic farming, no chemicals. A certification valid for countries that are part of Europe. Ecocert, on the other hand, is delivered by the “Ecocert group”. It limits the sulfur, however, authorizes certain inputs from organic farming. It is recognized worldwide but independent.
Biodynamics is based on agricultural practices incorporating the cycle of life including the lunar calendar. The vine is considered a living ecosystem and seeks to establish a natural balance between the vine and its environment. 2 labels available for biodynamic practices: Demeter is a label given by “Demeter” a private, independent label. To obtain it, you must respond to the “AB” specifications with SO2 levels much lower than organic. Biodyvin is delivered by the International Syndicate of Vignerons in Bio-Dynamic Culture (SIVCBD). You must be certified AB and respected the limits of SO2 of their specifications.
HVE certification brings together wine practices on respect for the environment. Many winegrowers have voluntarily chosen to follow this approach to guarantee the sustainability of their production. There is only one HVE label, delivered by the “Ministry of Agriculture”, which guarantees that exploitation preserves ecosystems and limits its impact on the environment.
The movement of natural wines (vin nature) emphasizes the minimization of human intervention both in the vineyard and in the cellar. This practice is made with organic or biodynamic grapes and are vinified with indigenous yeasts, without inputs and sulfites.That is to say, there is no use of chemical fertilizers. There is no label for this wine, it corresponds more to an interpretation of each. However, there is a commitment charter called « vin méthode nature » or nature method wine created by a union. To adhere to this the winegrowers to have less than 30mg/l total or without added sulfites and 100% of the reasons must come from the label “AB”. There you go folks, hope you understand better the world of instrution in wine making,
The phrases never to pronounce in front of a sommelier or a wine merchant: Here I go, to start, avoid joke. You are there to drink, even to eat, and not to test your comic potential, when the time comes to travel the wine list menu or to slalom between the shelves, know that the slightest comment on the price can be retained against you. Finally, do not pour in dark clichés, like the sleeping red wine, electrified white and champagne that sets you up on the forehead. In other be simple, ask questions and enjoy the moment.
Tips to order a wine that we really like at the restaurant when you don’t know anything about it: this is the first thing that the sommelier will try to know. Facilitate the task by communicating a selection from the start, you will save precious time, think of mentioning your dish and possibly your starter in the sommelier. Thus, it will be more able to offer you relevant cuvées … Do not confine yourself to known appellations like Sancerre for White or Médoc for Red, the most interesting options are often hidden in the lines of the menu you fly over, For fear of getting lost. If your budget is limited, remember this: it will always be more profitable to choose the most expensive wine from a modest name than the cheapest in a prestigious name. Rather than talking about region or grape varieties, dare to talk about your tastes in general do not hesitate to evoke the last wines that have seduced you, this will guide the sommelier on the style of grape varieties and the typicity of the wines you appreciate, Exchange talk, mingle and be surprise by the world of great wines,
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 