Wine is produced all throughout France, in quantities between 50 and 60 million hectolitres per year (7–8 billion bottles). France is one of the largest wine producers in the world, along with Italy, Spain, and the US. French wine traces its history to the 6th century BCE, with many of France's regions dating their wine-making history to Roman times. The wines produced range from expensive wines sold internationally to modest wines usually only seen within France. This week, we will sample three very different wines from all around the country (no turning your nose up to the last one):
Domaine Dupré-Goujon Le Clos Des Mûriers Blanc 2021, Beaujolais — Brand new dream-team, school friends Sebastien Dupré and Guillaume Goujon, grew up in Beaujolais and have had their domaine since 2015. Located in the heart of Beaujolais, this fantastically weighted and bright white Burgundy is produced from 40-year-old vines. This 100% Chardonnay shows its regional drawl with plenty of mineral playing amongst the stone fruit and floral notes. The Clos des Mûriers is frank, fresh and fleshy and shows a lot of elegance. 13% ABV. $35.50/12
Domaine Jean Royer Le Petit Roy 2022, Rhone — The Royer family has been growing grapes in the southern part of Châteauneuf du Pape since the 1800s. But when Jean-Marie’s father died at age 38 (Jean-Marie was only 2), his mother, with no one to manage the estate, decided to lease the vineyards in order to have a steady income. In 1982, at age 18, Jean-Marie decided to study oenology. He says there wasn’t any one thing that inspired him to study viticulture and winemaking. “When you are 18, you are more interested in chicks or rugby, but I had to work. Around here, summer work is in the vineyards.” The vineyards of Domaine du Vieux Lazaret are spread over 90 hectares, split into 35 different parcels of vines throughout CNDP. Big and Burly is what you get with this red wine that is a blend of Mouvedre, Grenache, and Syrah. Hailing from vineyard sites both in and outside of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, part of the wine is actually a declassified CNDP. This wine enjoys notes of blackberry and crushed herbs followed up by flavors of black pepper and spice. 14% ABV. $22.99/7.50
Chateau du Mayne Sauternes Blanc 2020, Bordeaux — The estate has been in the Perromat family for five generations. The domaine is surrounded by woods and has a deep gravel soil above a sublayer of limestone rich in marine star-fish fossils. The wines are a reflection of the smallest appellation in Bordeaux — Cérons, a subregion that produces sweet botrytis wines. This wine has notes of dried apricot and honey, buttressed by lovely underlying acidity. Enjoy with a cheese course, foie gras, or desserts like pumpkin pie or crème brûlée. 85% Sémillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc.$21/7
See you Friday!