Recently, I was invited to the curate the wine selection for a friend's dinner party. The original idea was to feature wines a bit off the beaten path, which we did indeed do, supplemented by a few French classics as well as other readily available favorites.
I have often touted the excellent value of crémants, French sparkling wines produced in regions outside of Champagne. For this occasion, I offered a crémant de Bourgogne from my own cellar which I was anxious to share with other wine lovers, and indeed, it was a great success. The Savoie blanc de blanc was one of the off-the-beaten- path selections as it is vinified from a blend of several different varietals, including a few regional ones that are particular to this Alpine region.
The South African Chenin Blanc is another crowd pleaser and a delightful alternative for the Pinot Grigio sector. For those Pinot Noir aficionados, do not overlook those Spatburgunder from Southern Germany; they may be harder to find, but worth the trouble, and usually a very good value.
There is nothing quite like a top Beaujolais cru from Morgon as a great food wine, also a very affordable pleasure. And is there any other way to finish off a delicious meal than a Sauternes paired with a freshly prepared dessert?
A tip of the tocque to our host Robin for organizing and preparing the menu, as well as the guests who whipped up the creamy corn soup and delicious fruit crumble. (My bad for forgetting to snap a picture of this luscious dessert!)
All wines were purchased at the Pennsylvania wine and spirits stores, although some may have limited stocks.
JCB No. 21 Brut Crémant de
Bourgogne NV (Non Vintage)
Origin: Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) Bourgogne, France
Varietals:
Pinot
Noir; Chardonnay
Production/Tasting
Notes: From the house of Jean-Charles Boisset, who grew up
the village of Vougeot, Burgundy; his portfolio features over 40 wines,
including vineyards in Burgundy, Napa and Sonoma; this sparkling wine exudes a
fresh, fruity nose (green apple, pear) with almond and white flower aromas; laced
with crisp acidity, citrus; brioche; full, generous mouth feel. (90 points, Wine Enthusiast)
Alcohol:
12%
Food
Pairing: Shrimp salad on toasts; stuffed cucumber barrels;
olives
Varichon & Clerc Privilège Blanc de Blanc Brut NV
Origin: Savoie,
France
Varietals: Altesse; Molette; Chardonnay; Chenin
Blanc; Maccabeu
Production/Tasting
Notes: Méthode champenoise; smooth, creamy; flavors of
pear, apple, vanilla, toast. Altesse is
a white grape varietal prominent in the eastern France noted for its
full-bodied, concentrated wines, featuring floral, nutty notes with good
acidity. Molette is also primarily planted in the Savoie region and typically
used as a blending grape.
Alcohol: 12%
Food
pairing: Shrimp salad on toasts; stuffed cucumber barrels;
olives
Ken Forrester Petit Chenin Blanc 2021
Origin :
Western
Cape, South Africa
Varietal:
100%
Chenin Blanc
Production/Tasting Notes: Hand-harvested; fermented cool; duplex soil with decomposed granite and fine sandy loam on a clay base; fresh, youthful wine with pear, quince flavors intertwined with green apple, grapefruit notes; tangy finish. Alcohol:
13.5%
Food Pairing: Fresh corn soup
Weinhof
Scheu Spatburgunder Pfalz Trocken 2017
Origin:
Schweigen,
Pfalz, Germany
Varietal:
100%
Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir)
Production/Tasting
Notes: 22 year old vines; clay soils; hand-harvested; 14
day maceration followed by 10 day fermentation; aged in 2500 liter oak barrels
for one year before filtered and bottled; complex aromas of black cherry,
cassis, wild berry with underlying notes of oak wood.
Alcohol:
13.5%
Food Pairing: Stuffed chicken
breast; vegetable tian; salad
Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Côte de Py 2020
Origin:
Morgon AOC
Varietal:
100% Gamay
Production/Tasting
Notes: Intense
bouquet of black cherry, forest berry, black olive, saline notes; medium-bodied
with silky-smooth tannins; notes of bitter chocolate; lively acidity; long,
persistent finish melding black cherry, blueberry, blood orange, citrus fruit.
(95 points, James Suckling)
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Food
Pairing: Stuffed chicken breast; vegetable tian; salad
Château Laribotte Sauternes 2018
Origin: Sauternes
AOC
Varietals:
95% Semillon; 4% Sauvignon Blanc; 1% Muscadelle
Production/Tasting
Notes: Complex notes of acacia, white flower, lemon, honey;
rich, fruity mouth feel with flavors of candied fruit, orange peel and apricot.
(90 points, Wine Enthusiast)
Alcohol:
13%
Food
pairing: Cherry fruit crumble à la mode
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