Tag Archives: france

Carpe Diem, Melon de Bourgogne, Domaine de l’Ecu, Nantais, Loire, Vin de France, 12% abv, 2012

I visited Domaine de l’Ecu in June 2014 about a week after writing the final Diploma exam.  I was still recovering from WSET trauma – but eager to meet renowned winemakers Guy Bossard and Fred Niger van Herck at this … Continue reading

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Andre et Mireille Tissot, Brut, Cremant de Jura AC, Montigny-les-Arsures, Jura, France, 12.5% abv, C$35

Jura is one of France’s smallest and most unusual wine regions.  Located east of Burgundy and the Cote d’Or, it lies in the foothills of the Jura mountains on the eastern border with Switzerland. The wines of Jura are unique as … Continue reading

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Champagne Geoffroy, Volupte, Brut, Premier Cru, Ay, France, 12.5% abv

We enjoyed an informative and gracious visit to Champagne Geoffroy in June 2014 and while there purchased this bottle to use in a toast to honour of my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary in August.   Many of grower-producer Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy’s champagnes … Continue reading

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Chateau de Tracy, Pouilly-Fumé AOP, Loire, France, 2011, 13% abv, C$51

Pouilly-Fumé AOP is in the eastern Loire Valley, just across the Loire River and to the east of Sancerre. This region is known now for its white Sauvignon Blanc wines that have characteristically pungent aromas and flavours of gooseberry and flint, but … Continue reading

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Les Solitaires, Chateau la Begude, Gigondas AC, Gabriel Meffre Negociant-Eleveur, France, 2010, 14.5% abv

Gigondas is well-known as the little sibling to Chateauneuf-de-Pape and hails from France’s Southern Rhone Valley. An Appellation Controlee since 1971, most wines made here are red and may be no more than 80% Grenache. Some roses are made, but no … Continue reading

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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