White Wines BTG Flashcards
Alain Chavy, Chardonnay, Bourgogne Blanc, Burgundy (2022)
Burgundy Chardonnay!
From Domain Alain Chavy
Minimal chemical use in vineyards
“while light in body, is taut and fresh in character”
Alain Chavy produces restrained, structured, and long-lived white Burgundies from 17 acres of vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet. Alain and his brother Jean-Louis worked with their father from 1986 until his retirement in 1997. The brothers continued to work together until 2003 when they decided to equally divide the 32 acres belonging to Domaine Gérard Chavy. Alain established Domaine Alain Chavy in 2003 and moved to a grand, old house in the village of Puligny-Montrachet, where he lives with his family. Here, Alain constructed a new underground cellar—one of the few in Puligny—where he continues to refine his work in the vineyard and cellar.
Alain owns 17 acres of splendid vineyards. Alain makes restrained style of Puligny with ripe fruit balanced by crisp acidity, which are designed to long aging. Almost no chemicals are used in the vineyards apart for protection against mildew. All grapes are hand harvested, pressed and fermented in barrel at not more than 25 degrees.
Alain inoculates for fermentation and believes in keeping bâtonnage to a minimum. He uses a combination of 400-liter oak puncheons and up to 10% new Burgundian pièce for the Bourgogne Blanc. “We’re looking for a balance between the fruit and oak character,” explains Alain. “We want the wines’ minerality to show through.”
Alain Chavy’s Bourgogne Blanc comes from young vines grown in Puligny where the wines typically show green and yellow fruit, firm acidity and distinctive minerality. This Bourgogne Blanc, while light in body, is taut and fresh in character.
WINE DETAILS
More Information
Alcohol % 12.0%
Vintage 2022
Varietal Chardonnay
Region Burgundy
Country France
Bottle Size 750 ml
Type White
Château Graville-Lacoste, Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux
2023
Wine Type: White
Vintage: 2023
Bottle Size: 750mL
Blend: 60% Sémillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Muscadelle
Appellation: Graves
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Producer: Château Graville-Lacoste
Winemaker: Hervé Dubourdieu
Vineyard: 45-48 years, 13 ha
Soil: Clay & Limestone on fissured rock
Aging: Vinification and aging in stainless steel
Farming: Lutte Raisonnée
Alcohol: 12%
Bordeaux may be best known for its grand red wines, but this region along France’s Atlantic coast also produces blancs that sing as apéritifs or alongside the daily catch. Situated southeast of the left bank’s prestigious châteaux, the appellation Graves is among the best sources for delicious and versatile white wines. Its clay-and-limestone soils are ideal for growing Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle—grapes that are used for both sweet Sauternes and dry Graves. All three varieties feature in this white from Hervé Dubourdieu’s Château Graville-Lacoste. Because Hervé’s vines are five decades old and therefore have access to deep water reserves, and because their location is in one of Graves’s cooler microclimates, this blanc is incredibly consistent, year in and year out. Crisp and refreshing, with notes of citrus, cut grass, and subtle tropical fruits, it pairs as well with oysters as it does with roasted beets and goat cheese or buttery-garlic crab legs, along with many more autumnal culinary possibilities right around the corner.
—Tom Wolf
Villa Sparina, Cortese, Cortese di Gavi
2023
Winemaker Notes:Bright yellow color, delicate bouquet of dried pineapple and peach. Full and rich in flavor, yet mineral and refreshing. Fine aromatic flavor to the end.
Located in Monterotondo, the heart of Gavi DOC, Villa Sparina was founded by Mario Moccagatta. The winery is currently run by Mario, along with his two sons Stefano and Massimo. Head enologist Beppe Caviola, one of the foremost winemakers in Piemonte, has brought Gavi to new heights exploring the full potential of the Cortese grape. All of the Villa Sparina wine are produced from estate grown fruit and are estate bottled. The vineyards are overseen by agronomist Federico Curtaz, formerly of Gaja. They are increasingly oriented towards reducing yields, in an effort to achieve the highest possible quality. Harvest is delayed until the last possible moment, giving the wines great concentration and a wonderful balance of acidity and fruit.
More Information
Country Italy
Region Piedmont
Vintage 2023
Winery Villa Sparina
Grape Varietals Cortese
Size 750 millilite
Pierre Sparr, Riesling, Alsace
2022
In bright yellow with green glints, this 2022 dry Riesling sparkles in the glass. The aromas remind us of the end of spring, with a predominant scent of white flowers, especially elderflower, accompanied by lime notes. In the background, we can detect some mineral notes reminiscent of flint, which are expected to develop into petrol aromas. The taste is crisp, thanks to the beautiful freshness that brings an elegant and typical mouthfeel. This wine is full-bodied and displays a lot of character.
Details
Location France > Alsace
Grapes Riesling
Category Wine > White
Alcohol 13.00
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