As I was walking through the hills of Crozes-Hermitage, I discovered a place called « Les Hauts Châssis» where Franck Faugier’s wine estate is located. This talented winemaker is a true syrah lover who elaborates several batches of remarkably refined Crozes-Hermitage. The melted tannins of this slightly spicy wine will perfectly enhance a roasted partridge. 

 A beautiful garnet dress with a streaming drop..

Blood sausages
Roasted partridge
Saint-Marcellin Cheese
Red berry crumble

 Behind such a nice wine, there is no coincidence. It’s first of all the result of beautiful grapes grown on vines more than 50 years old on average. But the relief also plays a predominant role. The vines grow on sloppy hills with a southern exposure which exposes the grapes to a lot of sun, which is good for ripeness, and to the wind, which is good to keep the grapes 100% healthy until the day of the harvest. 

Faugères is a very interesting appellation. Its numerous hills are not only magnificent : it is a source of diversity between parcels. It gives wines pretty different one from another. “Le Rêve” (the dream in French) is a good example: most people are used to powerful and spicy Faugères, but this one is more characterized by its aromas of violet and its light hint of white pepper. It also displays an enjoyable length.  

 A cloudy garnet dress..

Black tapenade
Blood sausage
Pélardon
Lavender Crème Brulée

 Faugères is submitted to a Mediterranean climate and its soil is made of friable schists especially porous. This special kind of ground retains a huge quantity of water. During the day, the southern sun heats this mass of water, and during the night, vines keep on ripening, nurtured by this warm water that flows through their roots. 

In French, “griottes” means Morello cherry. A particularly relevant name as the wine displays very seducing cherry flavours. You can also find aromas of coffee and cocoa that will pair perfectly with a chocolate tart. The whole is carried by a remarkably thin tannic structure. This kind of wine, with powerful aromas and a thin structure, underlines the winemaker’s great skills. Moreover, this kind of red wine is particularily fit for dessert, which is not that common ! 

 A beautiful cherry dress with thick tears..

Wild boar sausage
Lacquered pork with apples
Tomme de Savoie
Chocolate and caramel tart

 The northern Rhone Valley’s vineyards are characterized by very narrow steep slopes. The inclination of the slopes allows good drainage of the water thus limiting the water supply to the vine. Vines therefore face a strong water stress that favours grapes’concentration. The wines are then more concentrated, and provide a beautiful tannic mouth feeling. Keep in mind that no good things come without any suffering ! 

Only black grape variety grown in Beaujolais, Gamay reveals a very different nature in Beaujolais soils. The wine is produced from old vines, with a deep root system which gives the grape granite’s minerality and an intense level of concentration. Only good Beaujolais can offer such a deepness of fruity aromas. 

 A beautiful raspberry dress with thick tears..

Charcuterie board
Shepherd's pie
Chaource

 Located in the heart of the Pierres Dorées area (Golden Stones in French), facing south-east and west in the magnificent little village of Charnay, vines are planted on granitic soils and are 50 years older than the local average with a plot that will soon turn a hundred ! The very filtering soil gives water to the roots, but not too much, which is good for the Gamay, a lazy grape variety.< 

“ Sophie Giraudin considers Les Terrassettes as “the cuvee for my friends”. It’s the most important and representative between all her wines. This tipple is light and complex at the same time, and this is what I love most. It’s rare to find a quality carignan, however, when they are well made, they are simply wonderful!”

 Garnet colour, deeply shining with many purple reflections.

Italians bruschette 
Pizza napoletana/p>

Soft Goat Cheese

Fresh Fig cake

 Vineyards are situated in the heart of the Corbière denomination and they grow on clayey-limestone and silt-laden soil. Silts are granular material of a size somewhere between sand and clay and they occur as soil on a surface water body. Silts are very beneficial for soil’s fertility. Finally, the name of this wine comes from its terraced vineyards. 

« For several years, wines coming from the Pays d’Oc have suffered from a bad image, but their image has now been cleaned-up and they deserve it! While tasting this cuvee, you will directly feel its aromas of flowers and white fruits that will surely please you. This cuvee has just been bottled: you will therefore be among the first ones to taste it, so enjoy! »

 The robe is translucent with light green reflections. This indicates that the wine is young.

Anchovies
Trout with almonds

Tomme cheese

Exotic fruits panacotta

 The Domaine de Cabriac is located at the foot of the Mont Alaric, in the Corbières region. Its vineyards are already twenty years old: they start producing fewer grapes, but the wines produced are more concentrated and intense. Over the years, the vineyards developed their roots that now go deeper in the soils to find nutrients. Who said that getting old was bad? 

This wine is a real bodybuilder: rich, powerful and full-bodied! Its licorice and mint flavours are sharp, and the structure is dense and vinous. This wine fits perfectly with exotic and spicy food. It has good aging potential,while being friendly to taste young. Moreover, it will give you the opportunity to discover or rediscover the talents of Michel Rolland, a very talented (and sometimes controversial!) winemakerfrom Bordeaux. 

 Robe opaque black, with blue-violet reflections..

Bayonne ham
Boeuf Bourguignon
Langres cheese
A plate of blackberries, strawberries and blueberries

 Did you know that Mendoza is the most important wine region in Argentina? With 150,000 hectares of vineyards, Mendoza is one of the most important viticulture areas in the world. Michel Rolland’s vineyards are locatedat 1200 meters of altitude, in the Uco Valley. span> 

There is a lot of freshness in that wine. I really appreciated the mineral aromas that come straight from the flints that the soil of Touraine is made of. Its aromas of fresh citrus and white fruits should definitely please you. This wine is to be enjoyed with friends around a seafood platter. I am really happy to present this wine, made with passion by Fabien and Laurence Dinocheau, brother and sister, who really love their terroir and are rising stars in the Loire valley.  

 Light green gold colour..

Seafood platter
Fresh goat cheese
Grapefruit salad

 The Dinocheau vineyard is located at the very heart of the Loire region, in the middle of all the Châteaux. Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise… are certainly what attract so many tourists in the area, but they are not the only stars there. The flints on which the vines are planted are known to accumulate the heat of the sun during the day and to give it back to the grapes at night, ensuring that the sauvignon will reach a perfect maturity. 

This little vineyard in Médoc is a nice discovery. The attack is very pleasant and the aromatic profile of this wine is complex, mainly based on strawberry and blackcurrant aromas perfectly enhanced by a marked acidity. This wine is at the beginning of its peak, but if you enjoy tertiary aromas, it will easily wait for you a few years in your cellar. 

 Ruby deep colour..

Bayonne ham
Flank steak with shallot sauce
Coulommiers cheese
Red berries gratin

 The vines are planted on a particularly thick ground of Graves. These big and hard round pebbles do not retain water and nutrients on the contrary to the layer of clay these lie on. Therefore, vines’ roots have to struggle through the pebbles to get their water and nutrients in the clay. It is a good thing as it forces the vine to be stronger so as to reveal the whole potential of the grapes! 

love the freshness of Loire Valley’s chenins. With a fresh goat cheese, it is absolutely delightful. And this chenin from Domaine the Prieuré just confirms that these wines can be amazing. Its nose displays nice aromas of flowers and granny. On the palate, the balance is amazing. The wine is indeed more characterized by its liveliness but it’s perfectly balanced thanks to its remarkable fruity aromas. 

 A beautifull greenish yellow dress with fluid tears..

Sushi
Grilled tuna
Fresh goat cheese
Lemon pie

 The vines are located on hillsides along the Layon River. They are planted on a schist soil. This kind of stone that looks a bit like a millefeuille allows the roots to go very far down the ground, up to eight meters deep ! Therefore, vines can get all the nutrients brought to the soil by the river : an ideal position to give complex and fresh wines. 

Lorgeril is becoming an institution in the Languedoc region. Their 6 vineyards’ reputation grows year after year. That’s why I am really glad to offer you the opportunity to taste Mas des Montagnes. As its name shows (montagne means mountain), this wine was elaborated on a high terroir which gives to Languedoc’s wines a lot of freshness and a delicate touch. It also reveals the deep spicy aromas syrah can develop when submitted to chilly winds. 

 A beautiful ruby dress..

Veal Saltimbocca
Bacon wrapped veal roast
Saint-Marcellin
Blueberry pie

 Mas des Montagnes is located on a plateau around 300 meters high on the Pyrenees’ foothills. The plateau is perfectly exposed to sun and wind, an ideal situation to ensure complexity, power and of course freshness to balance the wine and gives it drinkability. If you want to check by yourself, drink this wine with your friends : you’ll see how fast the bottle gets empty. 

Located next to the well-known village of Saint-Émilion, Castillon is the rising appellation in Bordeaux. It benefits from an outstanding terroir and is getting more and more popular thanks to its with attractive price / pleasure ratio. This is of course the case of the Puy Saint-Front 2016 wich shows how great can some Bordeaux wines be for good prices.  

 A beautiful purple dress with viscous tears..

Chanterelles stew
Beef fillet with black olives
Cantal

 The appellation "Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux" is located on the right bank on the slopes getting down from Saint-Émilion. Coming from the same limestone plateau as Saint-Emilion, the wines of the appellation benefit from a privileged geographical situation with a southern exposure and a difference in altitude of more than 100 meters.  

« I really liked the personality of the Château l’Escart’s wines, located on the way to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. You can notice it thanks to the numerous shells on the domain. The members of the Laurent’s family are biodynamic practitioners since 2005. The vintage 2010 of the cuvee Eden is one of the most “nature”. The mix of the aromas makes this wine unique and surprising. »

 Light garnet colour with violet-blue reflections.

Duck terrine
Iberian pig

Old Cantal cheese

Cherry liqueur

 Located on the Bordeaux’s doors, the Château L’Escart’s vineyard is spread on 37 hectares of clay-limestone soils fine gravel. The presence of limestone gives freshness and length to the wine, while the clay brings out strength and density.  

« This month, I recommend you to taste the cuvee Bosstok pinotage 2012, a real crush with a good price/quality ratio. The winemaker decided to use a screw cap instead of a cork as it is often the case in South Africa: this avoids the wine to be corked. During blind tasting people often think that this wine costs £15-20. »

  Nice light ruby red color with blue-violet reflections.

Potted meat
Stuffed quail

Saint Félicien

Cherry pie

 Grapevines are planted on the terroir of Bosstok in South Africa. This cuvee is at the image of its terroir: very original! Indeed, this terroir is part of a huge bush that goes deep into the forest. Nothing in common with the landscapes in Burgundy, but the pinot noir also grows well in this region! 

I am quite happy I found this delicious Côtes de Blaye. The mouth is smooth and harmonious. It is like having a ballet dancer wearing a silk dress in your mouth. The finish, which is the taste that stays on the palate after the wine has been swallowed, is long and spicy.

 Deep garnet red colour with purple nuances..

Hazelnut saucisson sec
Turkey stuffed with chestnut
Tomme cheese
Fraisier cake

 The vineyard of Château Puynard covers 17 hectares. The vines are planted on hillsides along the Gironde river, in the Côtes de Blaye area. The close underground is a mix of clay and sand. When you go deeper, the underground has several limestone layers. This makes a really good terroir to grow highly concentrated grapes of merlot. 

When you think about Cahors, it’s not long before you think of Jean-Luc Baldès, one of the most talented winemakers of the appellation. I was not surprised to find in that wine delicious flavours of blackcurrant and of course a lot of tannins, as they are typical characteristics of malbec. However, I was more surprised to feel menthol aromas which were much more unexpected!  

 Garnet colour and mat in the thick tears..

Pork rinds
Goose breast fillets
Saint-Nectaire cheese
Blackcurrant panna cotta

 The terroir of Cahors is known for being very dry. It rains very little, which is a wonderful thing for the grapes that hence can perfectly mature. The Clos Triguedina covers around 65 hectares of mixed clay, silica and limestone. Just remember that this kind of ground ensures that the vine is subjected to enough water stress to make sure that the grapes will develop various aromas. 

I am really glad to present you this wonderful batch by maison Ogier. In the glass, it displays a nice greenish yellow colour that you’ll be able to admire. Then, smell it and discover its wonderful flavours of granny smith. On the palate, it is lively and fresh and has a nice silky texture. And the green apple aromas are still there ! A perfect wine to pair with a sashimi platter. 

 A greenish yellow dress and crystal clear..

Sashimi
Baked sea bream
Vacherin cheese
Fruit salad

 To elaborate Artesis, Ogier’s winemaking team goes each year around the Southern Rhône valley selecting grapes from the best terroirs. There are only just a few wineries that are able to gather grapes from so many different varieties and terroirs. That is why Artesis is one of the most complex white Côtes-du-Rhône you’ll be able to taste. 

Burgundy’s red wines arefascinating : they all are elaborated with the same grape variety and yet they offer an astonishing diversity. This is due to the unique diversity of terroirs in the region. This Hautes Côtes de Beaune displays beautiful aromas of raspberry and rose delicately enhanced by a gentle acidity and very thin tannins. However, pinot noir is a fragile and demanding variety : do not hesitate to aerate it several hours before service so it fully displays its bouquet. 

 A beautiful ruby dress with fluid tears..

Chicken salad
Turkey breast
Soumaintrain cheese
Raspberry tart

 Long strip bordering Côte de Beaune’s villages on the west, Hautes Côtes de Beaune are a succession of hills and valleys. Thus, vines are all planted on slopes which allow them to benefit from a good exposure to sun and wind. It ensures a good level of ripeness, which is very important in such a northern region, and keeps the wine healthy, also very important for pinot noir, a noticeably fragile grape variety. 

A very great wine from Languedoc ! This wine of unusual depth first seduces by its purple robe and its prune aromas at the nose. In the mouth, it’s a delightful explosion. Its intense touch evokes a coulis of red fruit that matches perfectly with hints of spices. Its pronounced freshness makes you want to take a second, then a third sip. Very mouthwatering. Note also its long-lasting taste and its beautiful velvety finish ! 

 A shiny and purplish red dress..

Game pie
Wild boar stew
Fourme d’Ambert
Dark chocolate éclair

 The Domaine de Belvize is located in the heart of the Minervois, one of the largest vineyards in Languedoc ! Passing from an altitude of 50 meters near the shores of the Mediterranean Sea to 500 meters on the mountains top, the vineyard faces climatic conditions that may vary widely. It offers the possibility not only to blend different variety grapes, but also different terroirs to obtain an impeccable balance and a beautiful complexity !