French Wines

                                           

Château du Cray, Bourgogne Cotes Chalonnaise, Red Wine :

Pinot Noir, the variety of all the important red Burgundies, is very present here. This wine is concentrated, balanced, with tannins, color, and fruit. A maturation in oak barrels gives the wine roundness and ensures that, despite its youth, it can be enjoyed now. A few years in the cellar will allow it to become well-matured like a good Burgundy. Serve it around 55°F-57°F if it is young, and around 61°F if it has been allowed to mature. It accompanies all deli meats, good winter dishes (stews...) as well as cheeses, and of course, red meat.

                                      

Château du Cray, Bourgogne Passetoutgrains, Red Wine :

The Passetoutgrains is, according to the appellation, a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir variety. The vines of Gamay benefit from an east exposure. The Pinot Noir vines are facing the South, sheltered from the North wind by a small forest for an early ripening. The blend of the two grape varieties give a wine of high color intensity, very tasty with the freshness of Gamay and the structure of Pinot. It will match pork and beef meats, chicken, sweet cheeses. Best tasting temperature : 55°F.

                                             

Château du Cray, Montagny 1er Cru, White Wine :

This pretty property of 20 hectares located in Buxy (Côte Châlonnaise), has always belonged to the same family, whose name it carries. Today, it is managed by Roland Perret du Cray. The appellation Montagny 1^er Cru is a small, but an important white burgundy - long in the mouth, mineral with notes of hazelnut, fern and lots of fruit. It is the excellence of Chardonnay, ready to drink but which can easily stay in a cellar for up to 8 years. Serve chilled - but not too much (54°F) - with fish and seafood of course, but also poultry and white meat.

                                                      

Château du Cray, Bourgogne Aligoté, White Wine :

This pretty property of 20 hectares located in Buxy (Côte Châlonnaise), has always belonged to the same family, whose name it carries. Today, it is managed by Roland Perret du Cray. The Aligoté vines have a southern exposure on a sandy terroir that is particularly favorable for this variety and which allows it to express its fruit, freshness and liveliness. This wine is ideal as an aperitif (it is the wine for the famous Kir when accompanied by Crême de Cassis de Dijon), and also pairs very well with deli meats, andouillettes, fried fish, seafood and salty or dry cheeses. Serve cool (46°F or 48°F) in a small or medium tulip glass.

                                              

Château Joanny, Red :

This prestigious Côtes du Rhône Château has been managed since 1880 by the Dupond family. The vineyard extends 120 hectares, in the hearth of the Uchaux Massif, near Orange, and mainly produces red wines that are appreciated in France and the entire world. Pierre Chaupin, a graduate in agronomy and oenology, is constantly concerned with obtaining a high level of quality. He uses his immense talent in the vineyards and in the winery. Results: 160 medals and awards in 8 years! The different grape varieties (Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carigan, Mourvedre and Clairette) are vinified separately before being blended into a powerful wine with concentration and fruit.

 

                                               

Château Joanny, Rosé Wine : 

One part of the production is vinified as Rosé by bleeding the reds. This rosé is thus obtained from the best cuvées of Cinsault, Grenache and Mouvèdre, all vinified separately before being blended by the cellar-master Pierre Chaupin, who ensures the continuation of the tradition and typicity of this grand vine. The mastering of the temperature for the vinification ensures that all the fruity aromas, freshness and liveliness are kept. The acknowledged quality of the terroir brings concentration and length in the mouth. Served at a cool temperature, around 50°F, this wine will express all of its qualities.

 

 

Crus du Beaujolais

 

                                                          

Domaine des Gatilles, Chiroubles :

In Chiroubles, the best "climat" is undoubtedly the granite ring that dominates the Beaujolais crus.  Domaine des Gatilles participates in the Gatilles in the parcel Javernand, which is situated at the highest part of the appellation.  Les Gatilles are small grey lizards that warm themselves in the sun. In the family for 3 generations, the Domaine des Gatilles vines are found on a parcel of 4 hectares with a East/South-East exposure, between the Rochefort and Javernand parcels.  The slopes, with an altitude that varies from 380 to 450 m, are exposed to the morning and noon sun. The soil is exclusively granite, and erodes under rain, wind, and sun to form a thin sandy and rocky layer. All this helps the black Gamay variety to fully express itself.  The rose granite soil, thin and sandy, produces a harmonious wine that is rich in red fruit and violet fragrances, elegant, tender, and is easily enjoyed between friends.

 

                                                                             

Château de la Pilonnière, Brouilly :

In 1784, when Jacques Joseph Brac de la Perrière moved to Château de la Pilonnière, located on the slopes of the Brouilly Hill, he did not think that he would be guillotined 15 years later. His sons, grandsons and descendants have maintained and developed the property, always keeping the family tradition of vinifying in the original vat-room. This typical Brouilly - elegant with a deep colour and red fruit aromas - is a tannic wine to be aged, but which can still be enjoyed chilled when younger so as to experience its aromas of rose and violets and black currant taste. It should be served at 15°C, and accompanies very well red and deli meats (black pudding, sausage, cervelas ... as well as goat cheeses).

 

                                                       

Domaine du Pont de la Billette, Saint-Amour :

Bordering the Billette river, this Saint-Amour is solid with a tannic body.  It is a generous wine that does not hesitate to accompany game.  It is a wine to be aged, but is also very popular among couples in February for Saint Valentine's Day.

 

                                                      

Domaine Daventure, Saint-Véran :

This small domaine, located near the village of Fuissé in the heart of the Saint-Véran cru, is on jurassic chalky clay soil that is ideal for growing Chardonnay. This fruity wine is very pleasant to drink in its youth, with aromas of peaches and pears that evolve into white flower fragrances, and after a few years, honey and roasted almond aromas.

 

 

                                               

       Chassagne Montrachet, White Wine :

Situated in the south of the Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet is one of the 5 villages  making-up the prestigious “Côte des Blancs”.  A small part of the appellation is produced in the neighbouring villages of Remigny.  This wine comes mainly from brown clay and limestone soils. The vineyards lie between a height of 200 and 340 metres. The slopes face east and south-east.  Grape Varieties: Only Chardonnay.  Full-bodied, powerful and rich. They smell of green or grilled almonds (according to the age of  the wine), ripe apples, flowers and honey.  The Chassagne-Montrachet leaves a long aftertaste.  This great wine will easily last 10 years.  Never serve too cold: its roundness and aroma will be best appreciated at a temperature of 12 to 14°C.  Tulip and balloon glasses, if sufficiently large, will greatly enhance the appreciation of this wine.  Chassagne-Montrachet should be kept for really special meals: foie gras, entrées and fish in cream sauces, fine charcuterie, and white meats in rich sauces.

 

      

Pommard, Pinot Noir:

Holding a central position in the Côte de Beaune, Pommard produces one of the most famous AOC wines in the whole of France.  The village is on a slope, right in the middle of a group of vineyards and is, itself, terraced at between 240 and 380 metres above sea-level, facing east of south-east.  Pommard produces only red wines from Pinot Noir grapes.  The quite clayey, calcareous soil gives this Pommard some quite original qualities: a lot o

f colour, deep red-black; intense and pungent bouquet of blackcurrants, musk and game meat (hare).   The taste is dominated for a long time by the astringency, which is accentuated by a pronounced acidity and a smoothness which is not apparent until the wine reaches a minimum stage of maturity.  The best time for drinking it is after 5 to 8 years.  This Pommard is best appreciated at around 16 to 18°C and should be uncorked one or two hours before being served.  The Burgundy wine glass is obviously the one to be used.  You can serve it with quite spicy and strong flavour dishes: hare, pheasant or wild boar pâté; stuffed shoulder of mutton ; jugged game and cheeses as Epoisses, Livarot or Pont-l’Eveque.

 

      

Vosne-Romanee, Pinot Noir: 

The wines of Vosne-Romanée (pronounced “Vone”) come from the two communes of Vosne and Flagey-Echezeaux, just to the north of Nuits-St-Georges.  The clay and limestone soils here are particularly suited to the production of great red wines.  The vineyards vary in height between 240 and 340 metres, and their slopes face east – south-east.  Vosne-Romanée produces only red wines from Pinot Noir grapes.  This wine of Vosne-Romanée is above all elegant.  Its smooth richness is balanced by a certain amount of tannin and an acidity which is not too marked.  Full bodied and powerful, its lasting taste is very aromatic and brings to mind the smell of cherries, strawberries and woodlands.  It will start to show its qualities after 4 or 5 years and will continue to improve for several years more.  Great wines such as this one is best served at temperature of about 15°C, when their taste and aroma will be fully appreciated.   Large balloon or tulip glasses of simple but fine design are preferable.  It goes perfectly with roasts, game, meat in sauce and fine cheeses.

 

Grand Cru Champagnes

 

                                                                              

Champagne Rosé Grand Cru - 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay 

Pink Champagne is not only a friendly fantasy that we can pour into our glasses. It is a great classic Champagne created by a centuries-old traditional method that we have been faithfully following for more than 2 centuries in the region.  To obtain its beautiful tint of lychee, or sometimes salmon, Marguet-Bonnerave Rosé is created by a combination of bleeding off some still young red wine and making it as a white wine, as well as macerating black grapes on their skins. The method used depends upon the harvest. The process is always completed by blending in some still red wine from our best Ambonnay sites to attain the color, and then a little Chardonnay and reserve wine to achieve harmony.

 

                                 

Cuvée Réservée Brut Grand Cru - Blanc de Blanc, 100% Chardonnay 

This is one of the most prestigious Cuvée champagne made in the winery of Launois Pére et fils.  It has a very delicate, harmonious and fresh taste.  Enjoy it with any occasion any time of the day.

The village of Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côtes des Blancs, is the part of Champagne where they only grow Chardonnay.  This area is classified as GRAND CRU, where only the best quality and most prestigious Champagnes, such as Dom Perignon, Krug and Salon, grow their grapes.  Try it and you will enjoy it!

 

                                          

Champagne Louis de Sacy, Brut Tradition:

Royalty is a celebration of the living art…First of all we need to discover its subtle aromas. The prolonged aging of this blend, drawn from carefully selected vines, highlight complex and strong taste contrasts.  Its full body reveals complexity of the land without being overpowering.  It can be consumed now or aged in the cellar.  Color: It gives the eye a lovely sparkling and golden color, vividly ventilated with tiny bubbles, and the lasting taste reveals a great delicacy.  Taste & Aroma: Taste of citrus fruits and red currant, blended with Mediterranean scents like rosemary, develop without weakening.  Blend: 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier, 40% Chardonnay.

 

               

Champagne Louis de Sacy, Cuvée, Rosé Grand Cru:

To create the Rosé Grand Cru Champagne, Louis de Sacy takes a particular care in the choice of the grapes grown and harvested at Versy.  This spot is called “Les Buissons”.  A majority of this blend is made up by Pinot Noir.  The bunches are picked very ripe with a high aromatic concentration.  These grapes, which are harvested late in the season, will give this vintage its deep color and complex scents. Bubbles: It has a fresh color, with pink sparkles.  Scent: The nervosity of its youth is enhanced by a well-balanced structure and signs its great personality.  Taste and Aroma: In the mouth, it develops a lasting taste with modulations of strawberry, raspberry, wild strawberry liqueur, amidst which appear fragrances of tobacco, resin and pear.  Blend:  60% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meurnier.

 

 

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