White wine
Crémant de Limoux 1531 brut, Sieur d’Arques Limoux
A super Crémant, named after the year it was discovered! Finest notes and aromas of green apple and honey, a little pear; floral notes and white flowers. Clear in the mouth, freshness and finesse, full-bodied, dense juice with plenty of character, fine perlage, pleasant acidity, long. This Crémant de Limoux is one of the best sparkling wines in France. 12 months of yeast storage. Falstaff Sparkling Trophy 2018: 2nd place, 90+ points MUNDUSvini 2016: Silver medal Concours Général Agricole Paris 2016: Gold medal Weinwelt 1/2015: 88 points, 2 stars.
Domaine Bersan, Bourgogne Aligote, Chablisien 2022
Bourgogne Aligoté is a white wine, full of freshness, like the spring breeze. Good-natured, a little impertinent, fruity, he dresses in pale gold. Its bouquet is floral (acacia, hawthorn) or fruity (apple). On the palate, this tender and smooth wine soothes the taste buds with nutty notes that appear in the finish.
Domaine Bersan, Chablis “Les Ouches”, Chablisien, 2022
Domaine Bersan, Chablis Premier Cru Montmains, Chablisien, 2022
Father and son duo Jean-Louis and Jean-Christophe run this 22-hectare estate based in Saint-Bris-le-Vineux. This village, beyond the limit of the Chablis district, is notable for its sheer number of highly respected growers, many of whom have vines up the road in Chablis. In France, Saint Bris is much sought-after, but thankfully it remains under-the-radar in the UK, making these wines a real coup when it comes to quality and pedigree of terroir. Soils are either Portland or Kimmeridgian and the village is chock full of 11th and 12th century cellars. The cellar carrying the name Bersan above the door is particularly lovely, crammed with barrels in which the wines peacefully mature.
Domaine Bersan, Saint-Bris ‘Mont Embrase’, Chablisien
Coming from a limestone terroir, Mont Embrasé is a signature of Jean-Louis and Jean-Christophe Bersan. Their estate, in conversion to organic farming since its creation in 2009, knows how to highlight its roots. Sauvignon finds its place in this elegant cuvée with a slightly vanilla nose. The palate is warm with its fruitiness of yellow apple. A complex wine, to accompany Asian cuisine from now on.
Domaine Bersan, Saint-Bris Sauvignon, Chablisien 2021
The Bersan family have been living in Saint-Bris for many generations. Jean-Louis and his son Jean-Christophe own 20 hectares of vines there. They convert all of their fruit into wine at their winery, located just outside the village center.
Jean-Christophe Bersan pulls some Sauvignon from tank. The Bersans also make a red wine from the neighboring village Irancy. They are currently in conversion to organic viticulture, and will be certified in 2011.
Average yields for their Saint Brie Sauvignon Blanc is around 55 hectoliters per hectare, or 3.5 tons per acre. The wine is fermented and aged in stainless-steel tanks, where about 33% of the wine passes its malolactic fermentation.
Domaine Famille Paquet, Macôn Village Nos Cinq Terroirs 2022
Famille Paquet Mâcon-Villages Nos Cinq Terroirs 2022 is a medium-bodied dry white wine produced from Chardonnay grapes in the Mâconnais region of Burgundy, France. Located in the village of Davayé, Famille Paquet is a 30ha family property founded in 1980 by Jocelyne and Michel Paquet. The domaine is now run by their three sons Jean-Baptiste, Mathieu and Camille, who manage each of their 50 vineyard parcels individually, using organic and biodynamic methods. This refreshing yet textural Chardonnay is an expression of the five different terroirs of the domaine. Citrusy and mineral, with a hint of creaminess, Nos Cinq Terroirs would serve well as an aperitif or as a pairing for light or creamy seafood dishes.
Domaine Le Fay d’Homme, La Part du Colibri Folle Blanche 2023
Wines of the series "La Part du Colibri" were created by Vincent Caye under the impression of an old legend. Once, when there was a big fire in the forest, all the animals looked frightened and doomed to the catastrophe. Only one small hummingbird, tirelessly, carried a drop of water in its beak to throw it on the fire. Annoyed beasts pointed to the uselessness of her insignificant efforts. To which she replied: "I know, but I must render the help that I can." Hence the philosophy of Vincent Caye: do everything possible to make the world a better place, even if it is not very much. Its organic vineyards take up very little space, but they will play their part in one common cause for saving the planet.
"La Part du Colibri" Gros-Plant du Pays Nantais is made from the grape variety of Fol Blanche, which has the ability to degenerate into wild grapes, not getting the proper pruning. Vincent Caye takes care of him on rocky vineyards according to biodynamic principles. In the case of vinification, Folle Blanche undergoes fermentation on its own yeast in concrete tanks buried in the ground. In them, the wine is aged for 8 months on draft before bottling.
Domaine Le Fay d’Homme, Monnières Saint-Fiacre Gneiss 2020
The nose whispers discreet, complex notes of candied fruit, jujube, white flowers, gentian and citrus zest. The palate is in this delicate register, subtle, thirst-quenching, and continues to develop fullness and volume, to finish with panache, releasing spices. Drink now, after airing, with bouchées à la reine, poultry or cellar.
Domaine Le Fay d’Homme, Muscadet Terre de Gabbro 2021
During a business trip to Muscadet, Christelle Guibert was struck by the growing number of producers whose work is terroir-oriented.
“Terre de Gabbro” is the fruit of this association between Christelle Guibert and Vincent Caillé.
“Terre de Gabbro” is a modern Muscadet, focused on its terroir and produced from biodynamic viticulture. The wine is of great complexity and will have its place among the greatest wines from a region in full renewal.