The regional name of Vin de pays de l'Atlantique exists since 2006. For red, rosé and white wines, it brings together 76 producer and Cellar members in Gironde, Dordogne and other departments of Poitou and Aquitaine, for a production of 39. 500 hectolitres of wine, 62% of which is red wine. This denomination is a complement of range of the AOC of Bordeaux.
The great terroirs of the South West of France benefit from a Warm and humid Climate which refreshes the vines and gives them the strong Flavours of the lands of Aquitaine and the lands of the Arrière Pays such as the Périgord. The Grape varieties for the reds and rosés are mainly Merlot, cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, and for the whites Chardonnay, destined for single-variety vintages. They are bouquets of Spicy and round flavours, with hints of acidic red fruits for the reds and rosés, and floral and vanilla aromas for the whites. The success of this appellation wine is due to the creativity of the producers who have put together 76 labels that invite you to travel.
As its name suggests, the folle blanche is a white grape variety. Originally from the west of France, it was used to make Cognac and Armagnac brandies as early as the 17th century and was renowned for its finesse and fragrant nose. Replaced by Ugni Blanc following the phylloxera invasion, the folle blanche is now grown in small quantities. It is a grape variety with juicy, sweet, medium-sized bunches and berries with a white/green skin. Its worst enemy is grey rot. As it is an early variety and its buds come out early, it is particularly afraid of spring frosts. It likes short pruning, a method that limits the production of grapes but increases their quality. It also prefers mineral-rich soils, and its vineyards cover about 3,000 hectares. It is used in the production of the AOC Gros-plant du Pays nantais to produce a lively white wine with little alcohol but marked acidity.
white wines from the region of Atlantique go well with generally quite well with dishes of rich fish (salmon, tuna etc), shellfish or vegetarian such as recipes of sea bream with sweet spices, lobster and scallops on a bed of leeks or spinach and goat cheese quiche.
According to lifestyle and happiness guru Gretchen Rubin, you ‘bring your own weather to a picnic’. Ms Rubin, I’d suggest, has never shivered under a tree watching raindrops turn her fish-paste sandwich to mush because the weather forecast was wrong. There are, it’s safe to say, picnics and Picnics. It’s a term that takes in everything from a rubber baguette in a French ‘Aire’ off the Autoroute du Soleil to a four-course spread while listening to opera at Glyndebourne. What’s definitely true is ...
Titled A Life in Wine: Gérard Basset, the World’s Favourite Sommelier, the one hour-long film is produced by leading London wine club 67 Pall Mall’s on-site 67pallmall.tv studio and production team. ‘I was introduced to [Basset’s wife] Nina and [son] Romané in October 2021 where we sat and discussed a potential tribute, lovingly made by those closest to him, that would inspire people and tell the story of his incredible life,’ said 67 Pall Mall producer Kiki Hopkins. ‘We worked on a list of trea ...
Strong demand for Château Lynch-Bages wines from collectors in Europe, US and Asia helped ensure all 342 lots in the London-based auction were sold, said Sotheby’s. Total sales at the 25 March event hit £877,826 ($1.16m), eclipsing a pre-sale high estimate of just under £700,000. It’s another sign of a strong auction market, and of Lynch-Bages’ popularity; this Pauillac-based Bordeaux estate owned by the Cazes family has long been known for punching above its fifth growth status in the 1855 Clas ...
