Category Archives: France
Champagne Louis de Sacy, Brut Rose Grand Cru, NV, Verzy, Champagne, France, 12% abv, 375 ml
In December 2013, we had bought a bottle of the Louis de Sacy Brut Grand Cru and really enjoyed it (review here). Louis de Sacy is the kind of brand I like to support – relatively small production and mostly … Continue reading
Reserve des Cleons, Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Sur Lie, AOP, Val de Loire, France, 2013, 12% abv, purchased from Trader Joe’s, Bellingham
Next time you are in the US, run to Trader Joe’s and pick up several of these. Deemed perfect for a seafood platter including some oysters and cheap as can be – only about C$8 – this is a perfectly … Continue reading
Clos de la Coulée de Serrant, Appellation Savennières – Coulée de Serrant Contrôlée, Savennières, Loire, France, 2009, 15.5% abv.
So often, the terms, ‘excellent’, ‘outstanding’ and ‘first class’ are bandied about and used with regard to less-than-stellar wines. Not this time. This is from the Clos de la Coulée de Serrant, a vineyard of only 7 ha in Savennières on … Continue reading
Champagne Guiborat Fils, Cramant, Champagne, France
On a recent trip to Cramant in Champagne, we met with Richard and Karine Fouquet, proud growers and winemakers of Guiborat Fils. Owners of 2.5 ha of chardonnay vines in the Côtes des Blancs lying south of Epernay, this is a … Continue reading
Champagne René Geoffroy, Aÿ, Champagne, France
I realized three things about Champagne after arriving there and having only studied it out of books up until that point. First, it’s not actually that big. Second, the Montagne de Reims is a misnomer – more of a large … Continue reading
Adrien Camut, Calvados, Pays d’Auge, Normandy, France, NV, 40% abv
If you go: -arm yourself with a GPS with European maps, -the basics of French (you’ll need it when you get lost), and -make an appointment ahead of time with the Camut brothers, Emmanuel, Jean-Michel and Jean-Gabriel. When we began … Continue reading
Domaine Huet, Le Haut Lieu, Demi-Sec, Vouvray AC, France, 2003, 12.5% abv.
Inspired by our visit to Huet in Vouvray, Loire Valley, France and the friendly and informative tasting and tour led by Johan Le Calonnec, we bought two bottles, one of which was the 2003 Haut Lieu. Medium gold with a … Continue reading
Lillet Rouge, Podensac, Gironde, Bordeaux, France, NV
Imagine you’re at the Le Mans 24 Hour Race in France. Oh look – here I am! What to drink? A little apéritif served by a handsome bartender will do nicely. Meet Lillet Rouge – a blend of Merlot and … Continue reading
La Croix de Chaintres, Domaine Filliatreau, Chaintres, Saumur-Champigny AOC, Loire, France, 2011, 13% abv.
Saumur-Champigny makes some great red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d’Aunis, but this wine is produced from the more prevalent Cabernet Franc grape. Cabernet Franc is a parent to Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and even Merlot, so it’s not … Continue reading
Chateau Maison Blanche, Médoc, Cru Bourgeois, France, 2009, 14% abv, C$29
There’s no two ways about it. Bordeaux is confusing. What does Cru Bourgeois mean? You’ve probably heard about the Premier through Cinquième Crus – the famous First through Fifth Growths. The Premier level includes renowned chateaux Lafite, Latour and Margaux, … Continue reading
winellama 