 |
| Les Bulles Sparkling & Sauvignon Blanc - JF Mérieau |
Jean-François Mérieau
“L’Arpent de Vaudons”
Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Touraine, France
100% Sauvignon Blanc.
A minerally pale yellow in
color, this wine has citrus and a slight hint of peach on the nose and palate,
along with notes of honeydew melon and subtle white pepper. Elegant and well integrated, like nectar when
it comes down to temperature a bit, yet expressing a clean and crisp style,
luxurious and restrained all at once. Delicious! Under $15.99.
This wine from the Loire Valley in France, was created from a single parcel of 60 year old
vines, hand harvested and organically farmed.
It was aged in stainless steel for 7 months on the lees (sur lie), with
stirring for richness. By the way, lees
is the coarse sediment including small grape particles and yeast cells, that
accummulate during fermentation.
Winemakers employ this method of aging, leaving wine in contact with the
lees for added complexity and richness.
It is certainly apparent here and masterfully done by winemaker Jean-François
Mérieau, who incidentally took over the family estate in 2000. The Vignoble des Bois Vaudons (Vineyards
of the Vaudons Woods) has been run by the Mérieau Family for three
generations. Jean-François has committed
himself to rediscovering the soils of the Loir-et-Cher with a completely hands-on approach, working the soils,
plowing, and harvesting by hand.
 |
| Le Bois Jacou Gamay 2009 |
Le Bois Jacou 2009, made from 100% Gamay grapes is
bright ruby red in appearance, with a hint of earthiness on the nose,
boysenberry and cranberry on the palate. Lightly woodsy with lots of red fruits and some spice, it has lovely depth for a light red and a playful buoyancy. This is a wine to
drink young so have now! Enjoy slightly
chilled. Also under $15.99.
We had the distinct pleasure
of meeting with Raphaelle Martin-Watson, representative for Jean-François
Mérieau this past Sunday, with the warmth of spring sun all around us. She was
passionate about the wines and eager to share with us. A glorious day to be sitting in an outside
cafe’ (The Farmer’s Table, Commercial St. Portland), tasting the wines along with the gastronomic
delight of seafood eggs benedict with fresh lobster. Heavenly pairing!
 |
| Chris Plumstead (Central Dist.) & Raphaelle Martin-Watson (JF Mérieau) |
Jean-François Mérieau wines come to us through the supplier MS Walker and Central Distributors. Try Rosemont Markets and Whole Foods to find these (checking for restaurant availability. Check back!)
No comments:
Post a Comment