Video Update: January 31, 2017
Ansonia Video Update: January 31
PERRACHON Saint-Amour 2015
MONTEZ Condrieu 2015
FEBRUARY NOTEBOOK
Charming New 2015 Gamay. $19.95
In France, Saint-Amour is known as the most “romantic” of the Beaujolais Crus. Located at the northern end of the Beaujolais region, it’s neither the richest nor the most tannic wine of the region. But the wines from this Cru possess a silky, enchanting quality. Whether it’s the amorous name or the smooth berry fruit, there’s always something charming about Saint-Amour.
Saturday Recipe: Seared Duck Breast
This is a perfect match for Red Burgundy — duck is a red meat with mild flavors that marry perfectly with Pinot’s earthiness and wild cherries. Bell and Evans makes a great frozen duck breast product, often available at Whole Foods.
Juicy, Refreshing New Red Burgundy: Raspberry, Graphite, Cassis
The Domaine Ravaut is the ultimate local wine source. For 120 years the family has cultivated a loyal clientele of friends, neighbors, and workers at the stone quarry in thee hamlet of Ladoix. Though they have expanded their reach in recent years, they still sell more than half of their wine to clients who walk in the front door.
Mixed Case: Affordable Burgundies
Burgundy isn’t known for its inexpensive wines. A limited growing area and perpetually high demand make it hard to find bottles below $30. For most wine drinkers Burgundies are special occasion wines — elegant and ageworthy, but too pricey for a Wednesday.
Almost Meursault: White Burgundy from a Forgotten Valley.
Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, and Chassagne-Montrachet get most of the white Burgundy press. But surrounding towns can offer excellent value. Many whites from St-Aubin and Santenay punch way above their weight, as does today’s white Burgundy from Auxey-Duresses.
Video Update: January 23, 2017
Ansonia Video Update: January 23
PRUNIER Auxey-Duresses blanc 2014
COLLET Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 2014
MIXED CASE: Affordable Burgundy
RAVAUT Côte de Nuits Villages rouge 2014
JANUARY FUTURES
“Terrific Power:” 2014 Grand Cru White Burgundy, 93 points
After a string of difficult years between 2010 and 2013, Burgundy collectors are rejoicing. Two magnificent vintages — 2014 in whites, and 2015 in reds — are being heralded as some of the finest in decades. The 2015 reds are just coming to market (see our current January Futures), but today we’re releasing a gem from 2014.
Saturday Recipe: Boeuf Bourguignon
This classic stew is a perfect wintertime treat for a Sunday afternoon. Serve on egg noodles or barley/faro, or with potatoes.
The World’s Finest Pinot Noir: “Supremely Elegant” Vosne-Romanée
Michel Gros is as much a part of Vosne-Romanée as the pointed steeple, the ancient vineyards, and the narrow crooked streets. He is a lifelong resident of the town, as were his father and grandfather before him — his mother was even mayor. The Gros family name has been synonymous with Vosne-Romanee for centuries.
The Only Côtes-du-Rhône You Need. $12.95
For a universally crowd-pleasing red, it’s hard to beat Côtes du Rhône. Guests with New World leanings will appreciate the richness and full flavor. Those with Old World inclinations will appreciate the balance and traditional style. (Your great aunt who likes drugstore merlot might turn up her nose, but you weren’t going to please her anyway.)
Crisp, Dry, and Elegant: a New Generation of Muscadet. $19
Perched where the Loire river meets the windswept Atlantic coast, Muscadet has long been a source for a classic, dry white wine. Served by the carafe in the oyster bars of Paris and London for decades, it’s refreshing, abundant, and inexpensive — a perfect glass to wash down a plate of crustaceans.
January Futures has been released.
This morning we released our January Futures Issue. Futures offers near-wholesale pricing though advance orders. The deadline to place orders from our January Futures Issue is Sunday, January 29.
New Weeknight Red Burgundy: Dense, Exuberant Pinot Noir. $25
Burgundy is best known for its wines of refinement and elegance. The delicate, often ethereal Pinot Noirs from towns like Vosne-Romanée and Chambolle-Musigny are known the world around for their beauty and uniqueness. But there’s a whole other world of red Burgundy south of the Côte d’Or.