2020 Marquis de Pennautier Chardonnay Terroirs d'Altitude, France, Pays D'Oc, Wine Review

This is 100% Chardonnay from France. The grapes are organically grown at 800 feet altitude. Pale gold in color, bright and clear. On the nose there is a fair amount of oak (spice, slight vanilla, and lumber) as well as slight pineapples and lemons. Medium bodied. On the palate, this is a bit chalky with apricots and slight lemons. Moderate finish. This is drinking well on its own and will work nice with soft cheeses. Drink over the next year or two.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2020

Current Price:

$19.00USD

Judgment of Paris: Film "Bottle Shock" Brings the Paris Tasting of 1976 to the Big Screen

Bottle Shock On May 24, 1976, Steven Spurrier, a British wine merchant hoping to stoke sales at his French-wine-only shop, held a wine competition in Paris. In this competition French judges were invited to blind-taste top chardonnays and cabernet sauvignons from France and California. In an event that would later be dubbed the Judgment of Paris , the California wines –included merely to serve as the “sacrificial lambs” to the supposedly superior French wines- won the competition in a shocking upset. This singular event revolutionized the wine industry and put California on the map as a major world producer of fine wine. This story comes to life on the silver screen for the first time with the film Bottle Shock , starring Bill Pullman, Alan Richman, and Dennis Farina among other notables. I recently chatted with Bottle Shock Co-Writer and Producer Jody Savin about the film. Why this film now? To answer this question in a socio-political sense, I would venture to say that we live in challenging times.

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2018 Wild Pig Chardonnay Vin de Pays d'Oc, France, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

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Grade:

Current Price:

$14.00USD

Named after "Greta" a "famous" wild pig in the southeast of France. This is an easy to drink white wine that provides some value. Light green/gold in color. The nose is smoky and fruity (sort of like fruit flavored gum). There is nice acidity and a nice texture. On the palate, not as much generic fruitiness but it is refreshing. A hint of bitter almond on the finish. For the price, this would be a fine choice for a party. It would work with lighter foods or on its own. Drink now.

NV Charles Bove Vin de Pays du Loir-et-Cher Brut, France, Wine Review

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Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$18.00USD

Had this at a local wine shop and was told it was a sparkling Vouvray. I don't see that on the label as it appears to Vin de Pays though that is not on the label either. The importers web site states that this is "Based heavily on Chenin Blanc with a dollop of Chardonnay" from vineyards in Touraine. In any event, I love Chenin Blanc and thought this was a very nice sparkler. How much one enjoyed it seemed to be directly tied to ones appreciation fro Chenin (at least at the store). Light gold in color with some green streaks. On the nose, this has a nice salinity with a bit of chalk, c

NV Faire La Fête Crémant de Limoux Brut, France, Wine Review

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$20.00USD

This a sparkling wine from the southwest corner of France. It is a blend of 70% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc and 10% Pinot Noir. It is an excellent value in sparkling wine. Silvery gold in color, clear and bright. There is a fair amount of small to medium sized bubbles making up the mousse. On opening, this is a very aromatic wine. There is an initial wave of limes and lanolin followed by minerals and baked apples on the nose. Good acidity. The palate has a nice roundness with baked apples and slight cherry notes. This has moderate depth with light tannins. It finishes long. Over

2020 Joseph Drouhin / Drouhin-Vaudon Chablis, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage:

2020

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$25.00USD

This is a very nice Chardonnay made from estate grown and purchased fruit. Light golden in color, clear and bright. The nose has some green apple often found in Chablis, but mostly grapefruit with some lemon. Medium bodied. On the palate, this is moderately crisp with a bit of chalky minerality. Good finish. It drinks well on its own and worked well with a caprese salad. Drink over the next few years.

2020 Marquis de Pennautier Chardonnay Terroirs d'Altitude, France, Pays D'Oc, Wine Review

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Judgment of Paris: Film "Bottle Shock" Brings the Paris Tasting of 1976 to the Big Screen

2018 Wild Pig Chardonnay Vin de Pays d'Oc, France, Wine Review

NV Charles Bove Vin de Pays du Loir-et-Cher Brut, France, Wine Review

NV Faire La Fête Crémant de Limoux Brut, France, Wine Review

2020 Joseph Drouhin / Drouhin-Vaudon Chablis, France, Burgundy, Wine Review