Wine of the Day

Marco Capra Barbera d’Asti Doppiadi 2017

This is one of several red wines by the glass at recently opened Imperial Treasure Paris. It is a bold and wonderful selection by Head Sommelier Romain Crozat. An Italian red in a Chinese restaurant in the City of Lights is – as far as I am aware – is unheard …

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Franco Nino Brut Grave di Stecca 2008

This is the single-vineyard Prosecco that surrounds Villa Barberina, the hotel managed by Annalisa Bolla Franco, wife of Primo Franco (and next to their home). There is actually nothing remotely Prosecco about this exceptional wine. Except that it is, of course, Prosecco by definition, geography, and DOCG. But this is …

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Bellavista Brut 2014

One of the most highly regarded sparkling wines in the world, Bellavista is a Franciacorta, Italy’s answer to Champagne. The winery is named for its envied location overlooking Lake Iseo and the Po Valley. Founded by Vittorio Moretti in 1981, Bellavista owns 198 hectares of vineyards. Fermentation was in stainless steel tanks …

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Domaine le Clos de Bellevue Muscat Sec

Stopping in Lunel yesterday for lunch, the restaurant had a dry and sweet muscat by the glass. The latter is AOC Lunel but I opted for a non-vintage Muscat Sec instead. Domaine le Clos de Bellevue is situated in Lunel, which is about 20 kilometres east of Montpellier and 30 km …

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Chateau Clement Termes 2017

Gaillac is situated between Toulouse, Albi and Montauban. The name of the town is also the appellation of the wine which includes white, rosé, red and sweet. Wine has been made here for almost 2,000 years. There are local varieties but also international expressions. Chateau Clement – into its seven …

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Pascal Jolivet Sancerre Les Caillottes 2017

In 1993, Pascal Jolivet bought his first vineyards, a hectare of Le Chene Marchand and 3 ha of Les Caillottes. Both are in Sancerre. Les Caillottes has clay, chalk, and limestone soil. The 2017 shows a complex array of fruit including unripe green guavas, apples, ripe citrus, and rich minerality. …

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A Garden in Bordeaux

Olivier Bernard is flanked by sons Hugo (left) and Adrien (right). The Triumph Spitfire belongs to the elder son. The family loves cars but all three are committed to their vineyard which the father describes as a “garden”. No herbicides or pesticides are used. ‘My first vintage was 2009. After oenology studies in Reims, …

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Chateau Mauvesin Barton 2015

Capsicum/blueberry/mulberry fruit with a note of tobacco. The ripeness of the fruit is delivered by smooth tannins and rounded freshness. Expertly balanced red from Moulis, a Bordeaux Left Bank commune not far from Saint-Julien. In fact, Chateau Mauvesin Barton is the property of the same Barton Family who own Chateau …

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Catena Paraje Altamira Malbec 2016

Nicolas Catena Zapata is justly credited with being at the forefront of Argentinian wine, ressurrecting the fortunes of malbec. He gave a new lease of life to a south-west France variety now more associated with South America than its original home country. Paraje Altamira is comprised of high altitude vineyards …

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