Amazingly, it is brilliant and actually sunny right here in Solihull proper now! Snowdrops, daffodils and crocuses are all beginning to flower. It might virtually be spring time. Is not there a spot, far, far-off, that is well-known for this explicit time of 12 months? Sure, you would be crossing the channel to France, to Paris, immersing your self in French tradition; wining and eating in the very best Michelin-starred eating places (Chateau Palmer, 2009, anybody?), or discovering a comfortable, tucked away bistro with an eclectic wine listing that solely the locals frequent, and even having a picnic by the River Seine with a bottle of ‘Gold Medal’ 2017 Bastide ‘Les Figues’ Cotes du Rhone that you simply picked up within the quaint wine store over the highway out of your lodge, stopping alongside the best way on the boulangerie for baguettes, jambon and fromage (that is a cheese and ham sandwich to us Brits!) and simply letting the sights and sounds wash over you whilst you ponder going again for an additional bottle… as a result of that final chew of cheese additionally wants a drop of purple wine to essentially hit the spot.
On most weekend metropolis breaks, or noticeably when you’re taking a full week’s vacation, the native wines, consumed in situ, actually do appear to style higher than at house. However what if you cannot selected to leap on a aircraft (or prepare) for that final minute, discount, international go to? What do you do if you must keep within the UK? Easy! Come to Connolly’s and put collectively a variety from round 300 scrumptious wines within the “French Assortment” that’ll completely improve your enjoyment of the following French-inspired meal you fastidiously put together in your kitchen at house. Now, the place’s that previous, properly used cookery e book? Too ‘final century’ to make use of an actual e book, however you continue to want a recipe concept? Whip out the sensible cellphone and click on on the newest ‘app’ and watch your favorite ‘foodie’ video on YouTube carried out by the ‘hippest’ chef utilizing all of the up-to-the-minute, ‘on development’ culinary components and strategies. What did you do earlier than the web? Possibly, you possibly can’t be bothered to even prepare dinner in any respect? There’s all the time Deliveroo to the rescue! Have cellphone, have prompt meals and (Connolly’s) wines at your fingertips.
As you may be studying this weblog on-line, you may be mistaken in the concept outlets aren’t value visiting? Nothing might be farther from the reality! Wine is all a couple of ‘hands-on’ expertise. The look of the label, the texture of the bottle, extracting the cork (even twisting off the screwcap), all contribute to the enchantment of wine. It is also a mixture of the senses; sight, scent and style, once you drink some, however it is advisable selected it first. You are allowed to ask questions in a store, to really converse to somebody who additionally loves wine as a lot as you. You may ask for recommendation, for different ideas, you possibly can usually have tastings… you possibly can’t try this on a web site! A ‘digital actuality’ tasting? That might be one thing to realize. May it ever be higher than the actual factor? So, having made it into considered one of our outlets, cornered the pleasant assistant, you possibly can then spend so long as you want discussing the deserves of getting the Loire, ‘Petit Bourgeois’ Sauvignon Blanc with a Chavignol goat’s cheese salad (my splendid!), or whether or not the langoustines in lemon and pepper butter works finest with Bois Joly’s Muscadet Sur Lie, or with the brand new, 2018 classic of the Languedoc, La Serre Picpoul de Pinet. I do know, an virtually not possible resolution to make, however we’re right here that can assist you at Connolly’s. The right alternative, after all, is to have each wines, in order that you do not run out through the meal and, if you’re persuaded of the benefits of buying 3 or 6 bottles, you may get an additional particular worth between March and Might on an enormous vary of French wines.
By the best way, when you want a true-life “French Connection” expertise (a la Marseille), attempt the native bouillabaisse with some award successful La Suffrene Bandol rosé. Simply be careful for le poisson d’avril when you’re there on 1st April. It is a fishy custom.
We do not thoughts when you resolve to buy on-line with us, or make a private go to to browse in-store, however a very powerful and ‘life-changing’ consideration is to purchase your wine at Connolly’s!
Make the reference to the “French Assortment” this spring. Paris is sweet, too…
The French Assortment
Our favorite half dozen… how are you going to simply decide six from the entire of France?
Chateau Palmer (Margaux, Bordeaux)
One of the famend wines on the earth!
It is the way you all the time imagined a “fairytale” French chateau ought to look. Palmer has all of it.
Technically, solely a “Third Development” or, in French, a “Troisieme Grand Cru Classé”, from the unique Bordeaux classification of 1855 however, repute clever, among the most acclaimed bottles from the nice vintages have rivalled the standard of the “First Growths” (reminiscent of neighbouring Chateau Margaux, itself), however the pricing, despite the fact that costly, is significantly much less. Nice worth!
Unusually, for a wine from the Médoc, Palmer has the next than regular proportion of Merlot in its make-up. Most wines originating from the “Left Financial institution” are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon however, do not be alarmed, the 2009 Palmer is a mix (!) of three varieties: 52% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and seven% Petit Verdot. This can be a “very large factor”. A mix is in no way dangerous, in truth, you get higher complexity of flavours. Over a substantial time period the grapes utilized in Bordeaux have been seen to be probably the most suited to the realm and have not simply been planted as a result of the chateau has to have a “purple” in its portfolio. Admittedly, you do not get a lot experimentation in kinds in such a basic area, however what you do get (at this degree) is mostly sensible wine!
This classic of Palmer is extremely concentrated in color, opulent in texture and, except you are still a youngster, will in all probability out dwell you.
Flavours and aromas embody: Black fruits (black cherry/cassis/blackberry jam), pencil lead, cedar wooden, liquorice spice, floral notes, chocolate, espresso, caramel and truffles.
Preserve it easy and pair a bottle of Palmer with a roast leg of lamb alongside creamy potatoes.
Domaine de la Bastide “Les Figues” Cotes du Rhone
The domaine, initially based in 1989 by Bernard Boyer has, since 2008, been run by his son, Vincent, who’s now the winemaker. The vineyards are positioned within the commune of Visan, north-east of each Gigondas and Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Stylistically, the wines at Bastide use an identical choice of grape varieties to these extra well-known villages. Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Carignan for the reds and rosé. Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc for the whites.
All of Vincent’s wines symbolize among the finest worth within the Rhone, usually successful “Gold” medals in France, classic after classic, and the 2017 “Les Figues” isn’t any exception!
Syrah is the dominant grape used on this wine (not FIGS!), contributing wealthy, black fruit flavours and a soft-textured palate. The remaining varieties are 20% every of Grenache and Carignan. The vines at Bastide are all of an age that produce low-yieldng crops, giving concentrated, however elegant construction to the wines.
Avignon is understood for its massive and various vary of native sausages and cured meats. There are a whole bunch! Strive the “Les Figues” with a plate of charcuterie or saucisson.
Domaine Henri Bourgeois “Petit Bourgeois” Sauvignon Blanc (Loire)
Technically, the 2017 classic of “Petit Bourgeois” is labelled as a “Vin de France”, so the fruit might come from virtually wherever! In actuality, it is sourced from vineyards which can be simply exterior the Sancerre appellation and, as a consequence, the wine is lower than half the value of a lot of the firm’s Sancerre/Pouilly-Fumé from the extra prestigious websites.
Bourgeois’ massive, fashionable, 5 degree, ‘gravity fed’ vineyard relies within the city of Chavignol (well-known for it is Crottin de Chavignol goat’s cheese), which is simply a stone’s throw from the hill-top city of Sancerre itself. Talking of “stones”, this space is all about flint (silex) and limestone. It imparts that basic smoke/gunflint character to the Sauvignon fruit from this space that’s a lot admired by shoppers of Loire wines. By the way, Bourgeois even have southern hemisphere connections as they’ve established the natural “Clos Henri” property within the Marlborough area of New Zealand… and everybody loves NZ Sauvignon!
All the highest choices from Domaine Henri Bourgeois have been extremely rated by many critics world wide and, if you wish to attempt these wines, you actually will not be upset with the standard, though portions in current vintages have been small attributable to some horrible climate circumstances.
Connolly’s preserve a spread of their finest whites together with some Pinot Noir primarily based rosé and reds, however the “Petit Bourgeois” is our alternative for on a regular basis Sauvignon Blanc tippling.
I do know, it is not ‘politically right’ to have wine on a regular basis, so, possibly each different day?
The 2016 classic even obtained a Gold Medal on the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon Blanc, citing:
“A really fragrant white wine with an astonishing freshness.” Tasty.
As for a meals pairing, you actually cannot beat having a contemporary, inexperienced salad with the native goat’s cheese, however substituting a pleasant, crumbly Cheshire, and even some Greek Feta would nonetheless be superb with a bottle of “PB”.
Wine with cheese? Should not that be a purple? Not all the time!
Domaine du Bois Joly Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie “Harmonie” (Loire)
Muscadet… a throwback to the 1970’s?
On the time it was the nation’s hottest ‘dry white’ wine and far of it was extremely boring and tasteless, however very low-cost! Adjustments in client style, poor high quality and new rivals from ‘varietal’ wines from the ‘New World’ led to it going out of trend. It virtually disappeared from wine retailers’ cabinets within the UK. However some producers simply saved going as a result of they wished to provide the absolute best wines of their area.
Within the Pays Nantais, the commune of Le Pallet is positioned simply south-east of town of Nantes on the western finish of the Loire river the place it meets the Atlantic Ocean and Laurent & Nathalie Bouchard’s Domaine du Bois Joly has been producing glorious Muscadet right here for a number of generations.
The distinctive Melon de Bourgogne grape selection is the mainstay of their vineyards and the Bouchard’s are very proud that sustainable farming is practised. Among the vines are as much as 60 12 months’s previous, producing small quantities of the highest quality fruit for his or her prime cuvées.
“Harmonie” is a conventional type of Muscadet that is been made for consuming younger and crisp. After fermentation, ageing the wine ‘Sur Lie’ on its yeast lees till the next March offers further freshness on the palate which makes it a great companion to native seafood: white fish, crustaceans and oysters. You may discover a wine whose nostril is redolent of flowers, minerals, peaches, apples and nectarines. The extremely dry palate has a tangy, grapefruit flavour which makes it a mouthwatering aperitif wine.
Domaine La Serre Picpoul de Pinet (Languedoc)
Is it Picpoul created from piquepoul, or Piquepoul created from picpoul? It will get complicated after the primary few glasses! Simply to substantiate: the grape is piquepoul and the wine is Picpoul de Pinet. Bought it now?
In France, the grape is nearly distinctive to the realm located behind the large, inland lagoon of Etang de Thau (close to Sété), though a tiny quantity could be present in each Spain and Portugal. Have grape, will journey, could be utilized to Picpoul, because it’s now been planted on the opposite facet of the world in Australia. Coriole (McLaren Vale) and Charles Melton (Barossa) are two of the very best recognized growers who every have a really small manufacturing that, sadly for us, doesn’t make it into the UK.
A real wine of the Mediterranean, Picpoul de Pinet is especially recognized for its contemporary acidity that makes it a extremely thirst quenching type appropriate for summer season consuming and is a agency favorite for all seafood and fish dishes. The native oysters are significantly good, or you would have langoustines in a lemon and pepper butter sauce, or a richer, seafood risotto.
La Serre Picpoul has citrus aromas of grapefruit and lemon with a floral word. A surprisingly full bodied and unctuous palate with intense minerality, melon and peach flavours.
Domaine La Suffrene Bandol Rosé (Provence)
Positioned on the ‘proper hand facet’ of the Mediterranean coast of France, Provence is the realm of France that is virtually too excellent! Tremendous-yachts, stuffed with the wealthy and well-known, refill the harbours in Good, St Tropez and Cannes, while seafront cafés and eating places are filled with prospects having fun with their meals (with the odd bottle of wine) within the wonderful sunshine. Provence is most undoubtedly rosé nation. Whether or not it is created from Mourvedre, Cinsault or Grenache, there are kinds and costs to go well with everybody. There are film-star (Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie) and rock-star (Jon Bon Jovi) produced wines and wines which have that particular mixture of flavour/picture/repute that individuals cannot get sufficient of and can seemingly pay something to get (Esclan’s cult “Whispering Angel” and their £100 a bottle “Garrus”). Then there’s the small producer instance reminiscent of La Suffrene. Should you’re visiting the realm the domaine is located simply to the south of the Paul Ricard GP circuit and near my favorite purple Bandol producer, Chateau Vannieres (No, we do not preserve it!).
Cedric Gravier’s La Suffrene property produces a scrumptious, dry, salmon pink colored rosé which has a mix of 40% Mourvèdre, 30% Cinsault, 20% Grenache and 10% Carignan grape varieties.
Low yields give good focus of flavour with rose petal, cherry and peach notes and a protracted, mineral/stony end. The brand new 2017 classic is a current “Finest In Present” Platinum award winner!
An incredible match with garlicky bouillabaisse, stuffed Mediterranean greens, or with native sardines.
