It feels like Spring is finally springing! There are daffodils and hellebore blooming, buds beginning to burst on the trees. It’s been a cold, wet and muddy start to the season, and it’s been getting the best of us but we, just like the buds on the trees have persevered and we are ready to enjoy the outdoors again! This month we are sharing wines that will welcome in the season and we hope will bring you joy like they brought us!
Cheers,
P. & E. Mullins
Bugey-Cerdon “La Cueille” NV
Bugey, France
With only 4,000 cases made annually we are lucky to share in this rare treat! Located in Eastern France between Lyon and Geneva is the tiny region of Bugey. It lies on the steep slopes of the Western Alps. The vineyards are rich with chalky soil and the surrounding climates; alpine, continental, and Mediterranean impress on the character of the fruit. The cultivation of the land has great history, it dates to Roman times, which was followed by medieval monks, but Bugey was not even recognized as a region until 2009. Even though it is so close to Savoie and the Jura, it was never even considered to be a part of those wine regions. Since the mountainsides are steep and rocky, there are only 500 hectares that can be planted, and to farm the land takes the most determined grower. Cerdon is one of three cru sites in Bugey and the only one who solely produces sparkling wine. Family owned and operated since 1991, the Bottex family produces this unique sparkling rosé made from 90% Gamay and 10% Poulsard (native to the Jura region) in the Méthode ancestral. It is the oldest way of making sparkling wine, predating the champagne method. Fermentation takes place naturally and is bottled halfway through, fermentation continues in the bottle and once fermentation stops the wine bottle is disgorged (sediment is removed), recorked and ready to drink. In the glass it is a bright cranberry with purple hues. The aromas are rich with red apples, macerated strawberries, and cherries. The palate is pleasant and full. Bubbles are plentiful and sharp. Little sweetness and in low in alcohol at 8% makes this the perfect bubbles for brunch! Although Kermit Lynch found his first introduction paired with a hamburger off the grill on a beach in Hawaii to be quite supreme. We’ll be breaking ours out this Easter Sunday.
2020 Von Winning Sauvignon Blanc “II”
Pfalz, Germany
One does not often think of Sauvignon Blanc when thinking about wines from Germany, but now you will. Weingut Von Winning is one of the oldest and most renown wineries in all of Germany. Dating back to 1849 it has some of the oldest vineyard’s sites. In 2007, winemaker Stephan Attman was brought on board and with him his dedication to work with the vines organically and continuing with his meticulous work in the cellar. He considers his approach minimalist and unintrusive, although every step delicately leads to the next. Fermentation is spontaneous and there is no fining or filtering. The winery works with gravity, so there is no pumping. This 100% Sauvignon is fermented entirely in stainless steel. It is a crystal-clear pale lemon tone in the glass. The nose is rich with lime and fresh herbs. The palate is nervy with acidity and balanced with a silky long finish. Its reminiscent of a Sancerre but also stands alone.
2021 Domaine Salvard Cheverny Rosé
Loire, France
It’s quite likely that when talking about white wine in our shop, we’ve shared with you the Domaine de Salavard Cheverny Blanc, one of our house favorites. We are thrilled to share with you that not only has the new vintage landed, but we also scored a nice little allocation of their very limited production rosé made of pinot noir and gamay. The fifth generation of Delaille brothers now currently run the winery, vintner Thierry manages the vineyards and land with organic and sustainable practices and Emmanuel handles the winemaking duties. The rosé is made 70% free run juice and 30% direct press. The wines are then aged on their lees in stainless steel and bottled unfiltered. In the glass light pale lilac pink. The nose is quite lovely, there’s a brightness with peachy notes and a freshness, pineapple mint perhaps? The palate is so pretty with peaches and cream on the start and ripe bartletts pears on the finish. A perfect wine to reawaken the senses after a long winter.
