French Wine Tasting
Friday, January 5th
Le Petit Bijou
Welcome in 2024 with ethereal wines from Loire Valley, Coteaux de Lyonnais, & more!
French Wine Tasting
Le Petit Bijou
Friday, January 5th
4pm - 6pm, $20
With Special Guest, Beth Farris of Grassroots
256-964-7980 to Reserve
2022 Jean Francois Merieau Fleuve Blanc, Loire Valley, France $22.99
This is a pure example of Chenin Blanc that is grown in limestone-rich soils. The Fleuve Blanc is a crisp and dry version of the variety, sourced from Jean-François’ vineyards, and supplemented by fruit purchased from conscientious neighbors. Medium-bodied, with ripe stone fruit and chalky mineral character. This wine makes for a versatile food pairing option.
2021 Domaine Les Pins Bourgueil Cuvee Les Rochettes, Loire Valley, France $17.99
Grape varieties : 100% Cabernet Franc
Average age of the vines : 10-35 years
The Domaine Les Pins has been a family business for five generations, founded in the 1930s by Jules Esprit. Over the years, the estate has continued to grow in reputation. Today, the vineyard covers 32 hectares with 28 hectares in Bourgueil and 4 hectares in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, planted exclusively with Cabernet Franc, locally called "Breton". Philippe Pitault wanted to produce our wines on the basis of a more environmentally friendly agriculture, which is why he reached for a certification.
Presents with a ruby red color, intense, garnet with red highlights. The aromas are elegant with fresh fruit aromas. The palate is aromatic, delicate and smooth with fine tannins, long tannins that are round, light in body with good intensity and fantastic length.
2021 Rostaing Tayard "Ultreia", Coteaux de Lyonnais, France $28.99
Emmanuel Rostaing Tayard is based in a relatively unknown region just outside of Lyon called ‘The Coteaux de Lyonnais’. It’s just beyond Northern Rhone and just South of Beaujolais, sandwiched between the two regions. The influence of Beaujolais can be felt here with grape varieties like Gamay and Chardonnay and there are Granitic soils with blue stones which you also find in some of the top Beaujolais crus.
This cuvée is made from grapes from a plot selection at altitude which provides a certain freshness to this sunny vintage. Ultreïa means in Latin “Further and beyond” and thus reflects the state of mind of the work carried out on these steep hillsides. It is a wine of pleasure, fine and elegant with floral notes! A very nice natural Gamay!
2021 Rostaing Tayard "Le Coeur Des Hommes", Coteaux de Lyonnais, France $29.99
Vinification without inputs
• Burgundy-style vinification with the aim of finesse and elegance
• Maceration for 12 days without extraction
• Combined aging in stainless steel vats and demi-muids with very light sulphiting before bottling
Grape variety: Gamay. Age of the vines: Average of 50 years.
Vinification without inputs. Burgundy-style vinification with the aim of finesse and elegance.
Maceration for 12 days without extraction. Combined aging in stainless steel vats and demi-muids with very light sulphiting before bottling
Tasting note: Fruity, spicy nose, a supple structure and a tangy final note which gives a sensation of freshness to the wine.
This cuvée is the reflection of a blend of plots located on a terroir of blue stones unique to Savigny. Coming from a geological frontier, it gives this cuvée a uniqueness.
2022 Jean Francois Merieau Cent Visages, Loire Valley, France $29.99
Cent Visages, meaning 100 faces, is the name Jean-François gives to his cuvée of 100% Côt (Malbec) from a single vineyard in St. Julien de Chedon. These 50 year old vines are an old massale selection of Cot and ones which are the source for many of his new plantings. Cent Visage is fermented in concrete tanks by natural yeasts and aged in concrete for at least 24 months before bottling.
2021 Franck Balthazar Cotes Du Rhone, Rhone Valley, France $26.99
Franck Balthazar possesses not only acclaimed skill in winemaking, but has also inherited a nearly 100-year-old parcel formerly owned by Noël Verset, retired Cornas icon. With those advantages, is it any wonder his wines are outstanding?
This Côtes du Rhone contains 60% syrah and 40% grenache sourced from three organically farmed hectares Franck has acquired, located next to Vinsobres dans la Drome. A classic expression, it is full bodied and plush with smooth, restrained tannins, hints of savory leather, and floral violets. Organically grown, low-intervention/natural wine, vegan.