Category Archives: France

Marie de Beauregard, Saget de Perriere Estate, Vouvray AC, Loire Valley, France, 2012, 12% abv, US$16.99

The Loire Valley’s Vouvray AC is one of the hallmark appellations for the Chenin Blanc grape. This is the most important white wine appellation in Touraine and while it is acceptable to include some Arbois in your whites here, for … Continue reading

Posted in Chenin Blanc, France, WHITE | 5 Comments

Louis De Sacy, Champagne, Verzy, Montagne de Reims, Brut Grand Cru, NM (Negociant Manipulant), NV 12% abv, C$75

Documents going back to 1633 prove that these Verzy vineyards have been in the Sacy family for about 12 generations. We met Alain Sacy’s daughter during a recent promotional trip to Vancouver and purchased a bottle of this champagne for … Continue reading

Posted in Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir | Leave a comment

Georges Duboeuf, Beaujolais Nouveau AC, Beaujolais, France, 2013, 12%, US $8.99

Beaujolais Nouveau is a style that generates a lot of cash flow for producers and negociants immediately following the harvest – after all this is wine made in the fall and meant to be consumed immediately. It’s literally a baby … Continue reading

Posted in France, Gamay, RED | Leave a comment

Joseph Faiveley, Moulin-a-Vent AC, France, 2009, 13.5% abv, C$34.95

Now we’re talking turkey – Christmas turkey that is…rubbed and roasted with freshly herbed butter, just-picked sage, rosemary and thyme and served with homemade stuffing and cranberry sauce. Made from the Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc grape and hailing from … Continue reading

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Chateau Puech-Haut, Saint Drezery, Le Prestige 2011, P. Cambie and E. Solomon, Coteaux du Languedoc AOP, France, 15% abv, US$19.99

When the owner of a funky little wine shop in downtown Bellingham with 35 years of experience in serving, buying and selling wine (Seifert & Jones Wine Merchants – check them out) introduces a wine to you by saying, ‘It’s … Continue reading

Posted in France, Grenache / Garnacha, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | 4 Comments

Terroir Eclats Calcaires, Ogier, Chateauneuf-de-Pape AoC, 2007 14.5%, C$52

“If I was going to drink wine, this would be it!” When a non-drinker announces his impression of a wine’s aromas in this way without having even tasted it, you know it really must have something going for it. Located … Continue reading

Posted in France, Grenache / Garnacha, Mouvedre, Monastrell, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | 3 Comments

Chateau La Croix de Gay, Grand Vin de Bordeaux, Pomerol AC, France, 2009, 13.5% abv, C$50

Having never been there, I can’t corroborate it, but I understand Pomerol is one of the most monocultural and boring landscapes around. Who would think!? Bordeaux takes shape in my mind as the land of fairytale chateaux and rolling hills. … Continue reading

Posted in France, Merlot, RED | Leave a comment

Aligote, Bourgogne Aligote AC, Domaine Denis Bachelet, Proprietere Recolante Gevrey-Chambertin, France, 2009, 11.5% abv

Always one to champion the underdog, I admit that’s why I purchased this bottle of Aligote in the first place. Around since the 17th century in France, today it comprises only 6% of total plantings in its home of Burgundy … Continue reading

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Saint-Vivant, Armagnac, Condom, France, 40% abv, C$59.00

Armagnac is frequently mistaken for its cousin Cognac created about 150km north of Bordeaux. It was easy for the Dutch and English to trade in Cognac as transportation of the ‘brandewijn’ or burnt wine / brandy used to fortify wine … Continue reading

Posted in Armagnac, France | 7 Comments

Sauvignon Blanc – Chardonnay, Vielles Vignes, Cheverny AoC, Vignes des Marnières, Loire Valley, France, 12%, 2012, 9 GBP @ Oddbins

This is what happens when you pop into an Oddbins with 5 minutes to spare prior to your train’s departure and ask ‘what is the most unusual and lowest priced wine you can pull for me?’ Oddbins, for those of … Continue reading

Posted in Chardonnay, France, Sauvignon Blanc, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment