France
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Saumur Blanc 'La Jouvencelle' Domaine de Rocheville
GL158
The Saumur Champigny appellation is one of the best-known Loire wines. Protected on the south-east by the forest of Fontevraud, by the Loire on the north-east and by the Thouet on the west, it enjoys the lowest rainfall in the region, with an average of 600mm per annum. By comparison, Angers, which is 40km away, has 850 mm p.a. and Cholet, 60km away, has an average annual rainfall of 950mm.
Domaine de Rocheville is one of the latest vineyards to be created in the Saumur Champigny appellation. Philippe Porché, a wine enthusiast, had been looking for a vineyard in this area for years: after several trials. He finally discovered the land in Parnay, where he based Domaine de Rocheville, at the end of 2004. The first grapes were harvested in 2005, thanks to the help of his wife, Agnes, and JeromeCallet, a young soil specialist. Since then they have moved on with a succession of wines, a wider experience, a sharper philosophy, and their reputation and fame have steadily increased.
La Jouvencelle is a lively and refreshing Saumur white wine, an elixir of youth!
Colour combining delicate nuances of green and gold. Tropical and citrus fruit aromas and floral notes with a hint of vanilla. A very well-balanced wine, with a suave, discreet attack and an elegant, fresh and very fruity finish in the mouth.
100% Chenin Blanc, from a special part of the vineyard on sandy clay soil.. South-south-west exposition.
The grapes are gently pressed in a pneumatic press, then the juice is put into large barrels for the alcoholic fermentation. The Jouvencelle is stirred regularly if necessary, so the juice is enhanced by the fine lees. Ageing from 6 to 9 months depending on the vintage, to get the best from the Chenin’s freshness and fruit.
WINEMAKER’S ADVICE:
Perfect as an aperitif, the Jouvencelle goes very well with grilled fish, fried prawns, Blanquette of veal and choucroute, and blue cheese and goats’ cheese. Serve cold, between 12° and 14°C
Delicious when it is young, the Jouvencelle will retain its freshness for nearly 10 years in the cellar.
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La Motte, Marlène & Nicolas Chevalier, Crozes-Hermitage
GL165
100% Marsanne, aged in 400 liters French oak barrels for 6 months. Pale yellow in color, with very strong green reflections.
Very intense nose, with fresh, ripe fruits (peach, apricot), green almond, brioche, mint, lightly toasted.
To be enjoyed with fish, shellfish.
The Chevalier family are polyculturalists who, apart from cultivating vineyards, farm the other crop famous in the region: apricots. Until 2009, they delivered all their grapes to the co-operative in Tain which, ironically, their ancestors had helped to create 100 years before. Their 17 hectares of vines extend on the superior slopes of the appellation, above the village of Chanos Curson. This, in turn is divided into 13 hectares of Syrah, 2.5 hectares of Marsanne and 1.5 hectares of Roussanne. Everything is vinified in their new cuverie, built to accommodate the 2013 harvest.
They produce 6 wines. The three whites are named after their respective lieux-dits and receive the same vinification in new 400 litre new oak barrels with full malolactic. Despite the systematic use of new wood, the whites are all very discrete, with site and variety more expressive than the oak. Hauts de Motte is 100% Roussanne, whilst La Motte is 100% Marsanne, both grown on limestone soils. Les Pends is also all Marsanne, but planted on granite-based soils on the slope between Chanos Curson and Mercurol.
With the reds, Les Voleyses is a parcel planted on limestone soils in 1986. This is fermented in concrete but transferred to stainless steel for its short ageing period. La Motte has an average of 10% Marsanne blended back into the final wine, whilst the Syrah component is aged in new oak. The white is used mostly to temper the effect of the wood and create a fine balance. The make-up of the Cuvée Marius enjoys the same vinification and red-white proportions but is from a different galet, clay and limestone-based parcel planted in the late 1980s which takes its name from the original vigneron proprietor.
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Joseph Cattin Riesling Reserve
GL166
Dry and crisp, this Riesling features the pure flavors of the grape married to
Alsace’s unique terroir. It pairs particularly well with seafood, white meats and
the traditional choucroute (sauerkraut).Most of the vines are grown around Voegtlinshoffen and Eguisheim, located in the
prestigious Upper Rhine region and are planted on slopes at the base of the Vosges
Mountains.Color: Pale yellow with green hints.
Nose: Fresh and mineral, floral, citrus fruit.
Palate: Wonderfully dry, mineral characteristics, peach notes. -
Joseph Cattin Gewurztraminer Reserve
GL167
Flavorful with rich aromas and distinctive notes of ripe tropical fruits, this wine
can be enjoyed alone or paired with spicy and exotic cuisine, strong cheeses or
desserts.Most of the vines are grown around Voegtlinshoffen and Eguisheim, located in the
prestigious Upper Rhine region and are planted on slopes at the base of the Vosges
Mountains.Color: Rich gold.
Nose: Complex, exotic and spicy with notes of lychee, mango and rose.
Palate: Exotic, aromatic, spicy and round. -
Les Vignes de L'Eglise, Vermentino IGP Pays d'Oc
GL354
Clean and bright, this aromatic wine is full of vibrant fresh fruit. Aromas of peach, mango, pineapple and pear follow through onto the palate, which is balanced and long.
The Vermentino grapes come from selected vineyards in the Picpoul de Pinet region. Vermentino is valued for its ability to produce aromatic, flavoursome, fresh whites of excellent quality in the sunny climate of the south of France. The vines are located on clay and limestone terraces called "Costieres", which encourages good concentration and structure in the wine. The vines are low-trained with good canopy management to increase ripeness, and also benefit from the cooling maritime influences of the Etang de Thau.
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Olivier & Lafont Côtes du Rhône Blanc
GL359
Floral and apricot notes with some peach and quince. Medium-bodied and fresh, with good fruit and texture.
Pairs well with chicken Caesar salad!
Viognier: 70%
Clairette: 15%
Grenache Blanc: 15%The varieties are vinified separately in stainless steel tanks, after which the wine is racked from lees, followed by a cold stabilization.
A small negociant project located in the Rhône Valley, Olivier & Lafont was founded in 2011 by two top consultant winemakers, Baptiste Olivier and Gerald Lafont. Friends first and foremost, winemaking runs in the blood for Baptiste and Gerald, both born into winemaking families, giving rise to a natural passion for wine from the offset. Both obtained their National Diplomas of Oenology and went on to gain ample experience working as consultant winemakers across France and beyond. Ten years of which were spent working individually for top estates in Châteauneuf du Pape and various areas of the Rhone, making invaluable connections, and forming partnerships with some very prestigious clients, giving them access to some of the best fruit of the region.
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Arbois Chardonnay
GL391
The nose is clean with aromas of honey, fruits and white floweOn the palate, it evolves in a nice balance between minerality and fruitiness.
Try it with fish and shellfish, blue cheese, or as an aperitif.
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Macon-Villages Les Chouettes, Chateau de Messey
GL394
So fresh, pure, lovely clean Chardonnay. Nice volume of fruit in the mouth, but nice freshness too. Very little oak detectable, just enough to add the right amount of complexity that unfurls in the glass. I love the drinkability of this wine. It's a joy. This is wonderful to drink now and this summer. It's a blend of 50% from the Clos and 50% from the vineyard by the Chateau, and in 10 year old barriques, and 3 yr old foudres. Named Chouettes (owls) out of respect, as at Messey they put some much into letting nature and the eco-system have its say in the area, which creates an evironment in the vineyard where chemicals are not needed.
Chateau de Messey is a new star from a special terroir in southern burgundy called 'Cruzille'. Boasting 1,000 years of history (they are mentioned in manuscripts dating back to the 9th century CE), Château de Messey is located just outside Tournus on a hilltop 300-400 metres above sea level and surrounded by woods. Owner Marc Dumont purchased the chateau complete with ancient vaulted cellars and 89ha of vines in the early '90s and the quality has sky-rocketed in the last few years. The estate is run by Fredereic Servais, named Winemaker of the Year in 2017 by Appelation Bourgogne for his work at Clos des Poncetys. The character is deeper and more complex than most Macon, and in fact, this is an hour to the North of Macon. This is from a delimitated part of a clos of 4 hectares and much higher than most vineyards in Burgundy.
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William Fevre Petit Chablis
GL401
Petit Chablis is a perfect introduction to the world of Chablis' fine wines. Its Portlandian subsoil differs somewhat from other AOCs in the region. However, it still evokes Chablis characteristics with lovely freshness on the palate.
Bouquet marked by great freshness. Fruity, floral and mineral, light and lively wine.
Great with seafood, mussles, oysters.
