In April, Parisians crowd the dining rooms of street corner bistros to overflowing, pushing in from the door to stand two deep at zinc-topped bars to escape spring showers. The most popular wines will be fresh new whites from Burgundy and lighter reds and rosés from northern France. We, too, are filling our racks with new wines. All wines at our spring tasting will come from small family-owned French grower-producers. These are the wines Parisians drink.
Help us kick off the season with a free wine tasting featuring wines to go with the lighter foods and warmer weather to come. We’ll provide pizza squares as hors d'oeuvres.
Special wine tasting pricing: 3 bottles-10% off; mixed case-15% off, single wine case-20% off, with one week delivery time. Wines available by the glass, pricing TBD.
TASTING MENU
White Sparkling
Bohigas, Brut Cava Reserva $16.95
Varietal: Xarel-lo and Macabeo
It’s not French, but it’s great!
Whites
Goisot, Bourgogne Aligoté $21.95 – BIODYNAMIC
Varietal: 100% Aligoté
The vineyards and winery are situated about 100 miles southeast of Paris, adjacent to the more prestigious wine region of Chablis in the small town of Saint-Bris-le-Vineux. Aligoté is the “other” white wine of Burgundy, lesser known, but no less interesting.
Tasting Notes: Apple and lemony flavors. A perfect aperitif with cheeses, nuts and charcuterie. For dinner: fish, seafood and lighter salads.
Goisot, Bourgogne Côtes d’Auxerre “Corps de Garde” $30 – BIODYNAMIC
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
The Goisot’s vineyards are world class, falling just outside the AOC of Chablis in the north of Burgundy. “Corps de Garde” is one of their “best of the best” bottlings.
Tasting Notes: Classic Burgundy Chardonnay. A white wine’s white wine.
Domaine de Montille, Bourgogne “Le Clos du Château” $42 – BIODYNAMIC
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
The Montille family have been making wines in Puligny Montrachet since before the French Revolution.
Tasting Notes: This is a classic Burgundy Chardonnay. It’s about as versatile as it gets. For special occasions it will go with anything and everything.
Rosés
Lelièvre, Gris de Toul, Côtes de Toul $19.95 – ORGANIC
Varietal: Gamay and Pinot Noir
Grown in Lorraine by brothers Vincent and David Lelièvre on the Moselle, the home of the famous quiche and every German invasion of France.
Tasting Notes: Strawberries and raspberries, beautifully balanced acidity, seafood, salads and spicy foods. Try with Korean or Chinese takeout.
Sacha Lichine, le Poussin Rose / “The Pink Chick” $13.95
Varietal: Grenache and Censault
The Lichines are a legend in French winemaking. Too much to go into here.
Tasting Notes: Lots of fruits, soft tannins, fresh, bold, alive and smooth. Try it with a tuna steak or simply as an aperitif while listening to Edith Piaf’s “La vie en rose”!
Reds
Domaine Rose Dieu, Côtes du Rhône Village, Plan de Dieu $17.95
Varietal: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre
Winemaker Damien Rozier farms nearly 100 acres of vineyards in the southern Rhône.
Tasting Notes: Darker red fruits, cherries and blackberries. Left on the counter for a few days, the flavors may evolve into tobacco and leather scents. Pairs with red meat, steaks and burgers alike. Drink instead of Cabernet Sauvignon. Great bottle and label.
A Note on European Winemaking
Each of these wines comes from the European tradition of family grape cultivation and wine making. In the US we often think of winemakers and farmers as being very different. Not in Europe; one family will be in charge of the entire process. The family identifies with its wine and the wine is identified with the family. This has led the Europeans to a holistic approach to winemaking that seeks to express the uniqueness of their local varietals, the fortunes of their sun and soil, and a compatibility with the traditional foods of their region. This is a slow process that takes generations.