News from 07/06/2017

The renowned French wine magazine, La Revue du Vin de France, recently published their 2016 vintage special edition to try and find the best wines from this complicated year when the winemakers had to face up to very varied climatic conditions between frost, hail and drought.  During two months, 11 expert wine tasters from the magazine blind tasted nearly 10 000 wines from all of the French wine appellations.  The wines that received the best ratings were published in the special edition dedicated to the 2016 vintage, and Gourmet Odyssey was very proud to see wines from 4 of our partner wineries selected.

Domaine Stentz-Buecher, Wettolsheim, Alsace

Of all the different Alsace grape varietals, the pinot gris was deemed to be the big success of 2016, and the Grand Cru wines should age particularly well.  Good news for our clients at Domaine Stentz-Buecher who will receive their personalised bottles of Pinot Gris Rosenberg later on in the year.  The winery saw their Gewurztraminer from the same plot selected among the best wines of the vintage.  “A creamy sensation develops on the palate for this refined wine.  Notes of guava and papaya develop during the long finish, accompanied by a noble bitter taste.”

Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard, Chablis, Bourgogne

The 2016 vintage was one of the hardest in living memory for the wine-makers of Chablis with the frost of the 27th April, followed by the big hail storm of the 13th May.  The yields were dramatically reduced in this part of the Burgundy wine-growing region, so the wines are rare, but it was still possible to make some exceptionally high quality wines thanks to the great summer conditions.  In the Chablis Premier Cru category, Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard had its “Les Butteaux” wine chosen.  “This straight wine, slightly reduced with hints of oyster shell, is very mineral and saline, taught, and slightly nervous.”

Domaine Allegria, Pézenas, Languedoc

The Languedoc region in the south of France had a very dry summer, interspersed by a few well-timed downpours.  Our partner winery, Domaine Allegria, saw its “Petits Bonheurs” red wine selected.  “Interesting blend of syrah and cinsault, colourful, very expressive, deliciously liquoricy. As good as it gets.”

Domaine la Cabotte, Mondragon, Rhône

The southern Rhône wines shone, and in Châteauneuf-du-Pape there will be many great red wines.  Among the highest rated, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape from our partner, Domaine la Cabotte.  “A chocolatey nose from this hearty and suave wine. A full-bodied and harmonious wine.”

Congratulations to our partner winemakers.  We can’t wait for these wines to finish their ageing process and be ready for tasting!

 

Read more about the Gourmet Odyssey Wine Experience

Read more about Gourmet Odyssey’s partner wineries

Read more about the selection criteria of Gourmet Odyssey partners

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