YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Complices de Loire Côt

Côt is the local name for Malbec here in the Loire Valley and into other parts of Southwest France, where the wines tend to be on the lighter side. Expect flavors of black cherries, blueberries, hints of licorice, menthol, violets and a little white pepper. All wrapped up in a chillable, easy to drink red.

 

PERFECT WITH

Backyard BBQ, a solid ham sandwich, pasta salad, Steak & Eggs brunch

YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from

La Lande Cavagnac

Big, dry and pruney in the best way - the darker side of Malbec. Concentrated vinous flavors and ripeness dominate, but the wine is far from cloying or intrusive. Blackberry and currant are the main fruit culprits throughout, with noticeable integrated oak along for the ride.

 

PERFECT WITH

Venison steaks, Boar sausage, Coq au Vin, Cassoulet

YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

L’Échappée Bel Merlot

This stainless steel aged Merlot shows off the racier, leaner side of the Merlot grape. The nose explodes with ripe cherry and even-more-ripe raspberry notes that translate perfectly to the palate and bring a crisp acidity that lightens everything up, and a faint sweet-herb note to keep it interesting.

 

PERFECT WITH

Baked fish, Pot roast, Roast tomato crostini, Take-out roast duck

YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from

Château du Donjon Merlot

The more voluptuous side of Merlot, aged in oak. Big, bold fruit and almost no tannins! The super juicy fruit flavors scream finger-staining violet colors: blackberries, blueberries and currants. Time in wood adds a baking spice note to the fruit onslaught, intermingling into an almost “sweet berry pie wine,” without the sugar sweetness.

 

PERFECT WITH

Terrine à Pied de Cochon, Chicken liver mousse, BBQ ribs, Asado

YOU SAMPLED an Al fresco red from

Domaine Sinson Pinot Noir

Fresh, flighty, fruity and oh so soft. Light cherry cola scents mingle with a pronounced raspberry note before warm baking spices and berry-pie-filling flavors dance across a super light, dry and fresh palate.

 

PERFECT WITH

Saag paneer, Seared tuna, Bruschetta, Red Pepper Hummus

YOU SAMPLED an Al fresco rosé from

Pierblancs Sancerre Rosé

Produced via the saignée method in which juice is bled off of the red wine press and vinified on its own as a rosé wine. Pale salmon in color, this rosé evokes scents and flavors in the same color range like strawberries and watermelon. Soft and dry with prototypical Sancerre mineral intensity and racy acidity. The finish is fresh berry aromas surrounded by lip smacking mineral flavors and just enough weight.

 

PERFECT WITH

Crottin de Chavignol, Spicy curries, Shrimp-on-the-Barbie, ceviche

YOU SAMPLED a Medium white from

Domaine Millet Chablis

Clear yellow in the glass with scents of pear, white peach and nectarine. The mouth changes as those ripe fruits are replaced by citrus and crisp, fresh acidity. Enough texture to carry all of those flavors along with their aromatic density to the palate with whispers of spicy white pepper on the finish. Crisp, clean and mineral - Chablis!

 

PERFECT WITH

Butter poached trout, oysters - raw or grilled, goat cheese, char-grilled scallops

YOU SAMPLED a Medium white from

Maillet Mâcon-Villages

This is a “blend” of the two polarizing styles of what Chardonnay can be. On the one hand, it's full of notes of bright spring flowers, honeysuckle, lime zest, and Meyer lemon. On the other hand, it still embraces the buttery richness and tropical fruit notes of candied pineapple and baked apple pie that Chardonnay can produce. With an average vine age of 45 years, this unoaked yet powerful Chardonnay benefits from the maturity of its first home - the vineyard.

 

PERFECT WITH

Mussels in most any kind of sauce, your go-to roast chicken recipe, avocado-based dressing, a quiet summer’s afternoon

YOU SAMPLED a Medium white from

Meix Guillaume Rully Chaponnière

Classic barrel aged Burgundy. Sugar torched pineapple and candied orange zest mingle with ripe yellow fruits and flowers amongst a background of brioche toast and lightly sweetened buttercream chiffon. A biting baked Meyer lemon acidity keeps everything fresh and tidy, and a finish of tart quince and white peach wraps up a beautiful classical white Burgundy.

 

PERFECT WITH

Grilled Char, Beurre blanc, couch popcorn, crab legs with clarified butter