Pinot noir ascendant in Alsace
There’s a growing excitement about pinot noir in Alsace, as a small groundswell of producers is increasingly garnering acclaim for their wines.
French paradox – climats and lieux-dits
French semantics are to the fore as we delve into the fog-bound world of attempting to differentiate between Burgundian ‘clos’, ‘climat’, ‘lieu-dit’, ‘cru’ and ‘appellation’. Some are easier; others require increasing magnitudes of microscopy, combined, perhaps, with a small gallic shrug for the inevitable French paradoxes.
French brokerage, or courtier, system
Courtiers – a word to conjure polarised views, especially of the Bordeaux trading system. But in France the courtier system is not a one-size-fits-all, though the broker still puts together a customer with the wine they want, that they’ve sourced through their contacts.
Faugères
Faugères schist defines the appellation, where the days, and nights, are warm, and blended reds have a freshness that defies that warmth.
Château des Jacques
Château des Jacques has been part of the Maison Louis Jadot stable since 1996. Though not certified, certain biodynamic practices have been adopted as Guillaume de Castelnau revitalises the estate.
Domaine Julien Sunier
First generation winemaker, Julien Sunier is one of the new generation of producers doing excellent work in his vineyards, thus helping to revitalise the reputation of Beaujolais.
Julie Balagny
Julie Balagny, having spent ten years at Terre des Chardons in the southern Rhône, is renting 3.2 contiguous hectares on the remote, upper slopes of Fleurie, in Beaujolais. “I love gamay” she says.
Paradis in Beaujolais
Sweet, rich paradis.
Jean-Marc Burgaud
Jean-Marc Burgaud has 13 ha in Morgon, 5 ha in Beaujolais Villages and 1 ha in Régnié, which is “the maximum for me” he said, adding, while “it’s always possible to grow bigger, it’s important to stay precise” and it’s that attention to detail that is reflected in his wines.
Domaine Ogereau
Domaine Ogereau is located in the Anjou village of Saint Lambert du Lattay, in the heart of the Coteaux du Layon appellation. Fourth generation Vincent Ogereau took over the family business in 1989
