1. Jouves & Croisille “Pur Jus” Blanc de Maceration (shown below!)
- Producer: Jouves & Croisille
- Region: Cahors, France
- Varieties: Gros Manseng, Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat d’Alexandrie
- Alcohol: 12.5%
Jouves & Croisille is a joint venture between long-time friends Fabien Jouves, Germain Croissille, and his brother Simon Croissille. With shared philosophies on farming, vinification, and the future of Cahors appellation, both families farm about 30 hectares using organic and biodynamic practices. They wanted to collaborate and create something together, outside of their family estates, using grapes from friends who farm the same way.
Fabien Jouves started his first vintage in 2006, followed closely by Germain in 2007. Their non-interventionist vinification process relies on spontaneous yeast fermentation. They age their wines in various vessels such as concrete tanks, barrels, or large foudres, depending on each wine's personality. Surprisingly, despite Cahors' proximity to Bordeaux, they draw inspiration from Burgundy and Northern Rhone for their winemaking style. They focus on showcasing the unique soil compositions, even using Burgundy bottles instead of Bordeaux bottles.
Pur Jus Blanc de Maceration is a skin contact white blend of Gros Manseng, Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat d’Alexandrie (well-known Cahors varieties). Tropical and fresh, with notes of yellow peach, apricot, savory herbs, bruised apple, honey and nuts. 90 days of maceration in concrete tanks, bottled unfined and unfiltered with a very low SO² addition. A fun and flirty light skin contact wine to get you through the heat of August! Serve chilled and pair with good times, board games, puzzles and more!
2. L'escale Sauvignon Blanc (shown below!)
- Producer: Clos Roussely
- Region: Touraine, Loire Valley, France
- Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc
- Alcohol: 12.5%
Let's journey to the heart of Chenonceaux on the Cher River, where Vincent Roussely, the fourth-generation winemaker, crafts amazing natural wines at his stunning 8-hectare vineyard.
Vincent is a true hands-on winemaker, farming his vineyards with love and care. His Sauvignon Blanc is the star of the show, planted in soil with a mix of clay and limestone, and pockets of silex adding that special touch. Some of his vines are over 80 years old! Truly priceless! His underground cellar has been around for over 250 years. In the 18th century, Clos Roussely was just a simple outbuilding attached to a massive castle in Angé-sur-Cher. And believe it or not, those old walls, about a meter and a half thick, are still better at insulating the ancient winery than some fancy modern constructions! Talk about durability.
Vincent takes Mother Nature seriously. No herbicides, pesticides, or chemicals ever make their way into his vineyard. It's all about plowing and scratching the soil with utmost respect. His oldest vines are plowed only by horses. The soil, a harmonious blend of clay, limestone, and flint, coupled with the lovely temperate climate, create the perfect conditions for Sauvignon Blanc. And all we have to do is enjoy this labor of love and tradition. This Sauvignon Blanc is juicy, fresh, crisp and thirst-quenching. It’s essentially a Sancerre without the price tag! Notes of fleshy stone fruit accompanied by bright acidity and minerality on the palate. Serve chilled and serve with seafood and shellfish dishes like grilled fish, scallops, or shrimp. It will also pair well with lighter poultry dishes, salads, and cheeses like Comte (This nutty and slightly sweet French cheese goes wonderfully with Touraine Sauvignon Blanc), Camembert (Camembert's creamy and earthy notes complement the wine's bright and zesty profile, making it an excellent choice for pairing) or goat cheese (the tangy and creamy flavors of goat cheese are a classic match with Sauvignon Blanc. The wine's acidity balances the richness of the cheese, creating a delightful combination!). Santé!
3. Constantina Sotelo “Volandeira” Albariño (shown below!)
- Producer: Constantina Sotelo
- Region: Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain
- Varieties: 100% Albariño
- Alcohol: 12.5%
Meet Constantina Sotelo, a fearless female winemaker hailing from the Cambados region in Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain (just north of Porto, Portugal on Spain's far west coast!). Winemaking runs deep in Constantina's family, with generations passing down the art in Rías Baixas. Her vineyards boast remarkable age, with some vines dating back over 200 years!
While her focus remains on native Albariño, Constantina isn't one to be confined by the region's strict regulations. She boldly rejects artificial yeast, filtration, and mandatory sulfur levels (no, thank you!). Instead, her passion lies in crafting wines that are honest and pure, prioritizing integrity over fancy labels that might fetch higher prices. Rías Baixas, renowned for its top-notch Albariño production, couldn't be more proud of this trailblazing winemaker.
This Albariño is aromatic, elegant, flavorful and mineral-driven. It is fresh and crisp, bursting with juicy stone fruit, along with flavors of lemon rind, peach, apricot, melons, grapefruit and minerality. Serve chilled and pair with shrimp cocktail, grilled calamari salad, or cheeses like Manchego (Manchego's nutty and savory profile harmonizes beautifully with Albariño's crispness!) or aged Gouda (the caramel-like sweetness and crystalline texture of aged Gouda are a delightful match for the bright acidity and fruity nuances of Albariño!). Try it for yourself and catch yourself with a smile on your face.
4. Thomas & Jean-Noël Blard “Roussette de Savoie” (shown below!)
- Producer: Domaine Blard & Fils
- Region: Savoie, France
- Varieties: Altesse (aka Rousette)
- Alcohol: 12%
Introducing Domaine Blard & Fils, a family legacy of winemaking that spans an incredible five generations. Jean-Noel and his son Thomas Blard lovingly tend to their 9-hectare domaine, surrounded by majestic mountains that create a heavenly setting for their vineyards!
Each cuvée is a celebration of a single grape variety, carefully nurtured on specially selected soils. The vineyard work is a true labor of love, involving a team of 9 people at the peak of the season, ensuring the most sustainable and thoughtful cultivation practices.
The Blard family's journey in winemaking started with Thomas's great-grandfather Joseph, who dabbled in farming, including raising cows, growing grains, and cultivating grapes for the family's own enjoyment. His son, Pierre Blard, decided to specialize in viticulture after World War II, expanding the farm to 5 hectares and producing wine primarily for merchants.
We are so charmed by this wine. The Altesse grape, also known as Roussette, is a white wine grape variety primarily grown in the Savoie region of France. It is known for producing aromatic and elegant white wines that showcase the unique terroir of Savoie: steep slopes with coveted soil types, including limestone, clay, and schist. These diverse soil types contribute to Savoie’s character and complexity. You’ll experience delicate floral notes like white flowers and honeysuckle and hints of stone fruits like peach and apricot, as well as herbal and mineral undertones! Its vibrant acidity adds freshness and brightness to the palate, making it so satisfying, sip after sip. Serve chilled and pair with seafood and shellfish dishes like grilled fish, scallops, or shrimp. It will also pair well with lighter poultry dishes, salads, and Alpine cheeses!