Sep
15
Rhone & Bugundy Regions of France
This week, I hope you will join us at Michael’s Wine Cellar from 6:30 to 8:00 pm as we explore France’s Rhone and Burgundy regions, featuring the wines of world-renowned winemakers as Bertrand Ambroise, Christophe Cordier, Xavier Monnot and Philippe Belle. I had the the amazing opportunity of visiting these regions this month with our Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club trip and have I got photos to share from this fabulous journey!
A little background on the winemakers: Bertrand Ambroise was established in the late 18th century in the village of Primeaux-Prissey. Bertrand produces some of the finest examples of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Burgundy, in a style characterized as ripe, deeply extracted, and full bodied.
Christophe Cordier’s constant progress over the last several years has catapulted him to the summit of the local hierarchy. All the wines express to the utmost degree the opulence, finesse and diversity of character of the different terroirs and merit being included in the cellars of the most discerning oenophiles.
Established in 1723, Xavier Monnot has had nine generations of ancestry toil in the family vineyards before him. In 1994, fresh out of oenology school, he took up with his grandfather, His efforts have paid off, as the Monnot wines of this generation show off a delicate balance of racy acidity, fleshy fruit, and terroir-driven minerality.
The impeccably run family estate of Philippe Belle is located in the village of Larnage. They were members of the co-op in Tain-Hermitage, but in 1988, after Philippe had completed his education in Montpellier, they began to make their own wine at their new winery.
The Brunel Estate was established in 1919 though the Brunel family has lived in the area since the 18th century. André’s grandfather was the first in the family to turn his hand to winemaking and the tradition has continued since. André joined his father in 1971 and has turned Brunel into a world-class domaine. André is most famous for his premium, highly sought-after Châteauneuf du Pape.
Font de Michelle is run by Jean and Michel Gonnet, the third generation at this estate. Their father, Etienne, was instrumental in developing the vineyards. Their style of reds is somewhere between classic Chateauneuf and a more modernistic approach, with plenty of color, fruit and structure, but without going overboard.
At our upcoming September 17 Wine Discoveries event we’ll be tasting:
2006 Bertrand Ambroise Bourgogne Rouge
2006 Bertrand Ambroise Cote de Nuit Villages
2007 Christophe Cordier Macon Blanc
2006 Christophe Cordier Vire Clesse
2006 Xavier Monnot Bourgogne Blanc
2006 Philippe Belle Croze Hermitage Blanc
2005 Philippe Belle Croze Hermitage Rouge
2007 Andre Brunel Cote du Rhone Blanc
2006 Andre Brunel Cote du Rhone Rouge
2005 Santa Duc Gigondas
2004 Font de Michelle Chateauneuf-du-Pape
2008 Domaine Petite Cassagne Rose
2006 Domaine Petite Cassagne Rouge
2006 Mas des Bressades Grenache/Syrah
2007 Mas des Bressades Viognier/Roussane
Along with the wines, we will also enjoy a decadent selection of passed hors d’oeuvres. Hope to see you there!
Call Susan Baugh at 941-366-0007 Ext. 229., to reserve your spot (we only have 50 seats!)
