Archive for January, 2013:

La Chablisienne: quality and minerality


Published on January 28th, 2013
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La Chablisienne is one of those rare enough things, a quality-orientated co-operative that’s also blessed by its members with some great vineyard plots, which boost its reputation overall. In addition, the co-op has explored in some depth the status quo on minerality.

A lesson in viticulture at Domaine d’Arjolle


Published on January 23rd, 2013
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Charles Duby, the viticulturist at Domaine de l’Arjolle in the Languedoc gives a great session on the role of the soil.

Crus Bourgeois – a steady ship


Published on January 18th, 2013
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Having had just 18 months in 2007 to reinvent themselves, after the previous cru bourgeois system was cancelled, the Alliance des Crus Bourgois du Médoc consider themselves fortunate to have saved the name ‘cru bourgeois’ a term which has positive resonance with consumers.

Crémants from Maison Simonnet Febvre


Published on January 13th, 2013
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Maison Simonnet Febvre are the only winery in Chablis making sparkling wine, and about a quarter of their total production is Crémant

White wine phenolics


Published on January 8th, 2013
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When a vertical tasting of bourboulenc at Château d’Anglès, in Languedoc’s La Clape followed on the heels of a viognier masterclass by viognier virtuouso Louisa Rose, one can’t help but tweak one’s thinking on the roles of acidity, freshness and phenolics (essentially tannin) in white wine. Neither grape is particularly well endowed with raging acidity, but both have thick skins which impart a phenolic texture and freshness to the wines they make.

The science of sauvignon blanc, by Jamie Goode


Published on January 3rd, 2013
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Various research institutes in NZ and France have been researching sauvignon blanc for some years, and Goode has brought together some of that research in a book that aims to provide growers and winemakers up to date information so they are better equipped to achieve the flavour profiles they’re looking for. There’s some interesting stuff for MW students and the like, too.

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