Nivers, Pécharmant, Japan, Pic St Loup
We've been looking for a real alternative to wine for a while... an alcohol-free but flavorful drink! "Alcohol-free" options are often more suited for aperitifs (sparkling) or too sweet... and we encounter a real lack of complexity and texture... then "Nivers" appeared! A "signature" plant-based drink with authentic complexity; three expressions with bases of long macerations - fermentations of grand cru teas or kombucha, verjuice, plants, leaves, algae or citrus fruits... Developed by Nicolas Verstraete, himself a wine enthusiast also looking for a drink that could pair with refined cuisine. We were completely blown away and won over ;);)! A completely new experience, different from wine but expressing itself with superb aromatics, astonishing texture and length on the palate.
Mickaël Gaulhiac and the story of a Roman ship "Hukulumbarros" which gave its name to a Tunisian wine region, now called "Grombalia." Wishing to pay tribute to his maternal family from this beautiful wine region and, on his paternal side, to his passion for sailing and wine.
It was in the Pécharmant appellation area that Mickaël established his estate in 2017... unfortunately, his beginnings were terrible as a frost hit and the loss was total... no production at all…! Here, the soil is unique, composed of blue clays and limestone rock, very similar to certain soils in the famous Pomerol terroir. A no-added-sulfites cuvée delighted us, focused on indulgence, the fruit is pure and delicate. Flavorful and convivial, with fine tannins and a beautiful mineral freshness on the finish.
What a wonderful arrival from the beautiful Pic Saint Loup, between the Cévennes and the Mediterranean, an appellation that mostly rhymes with dense yet fresh red wines, made from the famous Syrah but also Mourvèdre and Grenache Noir. The excellent wines of Domaine Mirabel, brothers Samuel and Vincent Feuillade have been enchanting us since 2002... over 20 years already! Their wines are recognizable by their remarkable minerality, density, and freshness.
Slightly further south, in Vacquières, lies the Mas de Figuier another beautiful domain to discover. The wines express themselves with ease and more indulgence, without forgetting the depth of the "Jean" cuvée. The white "Seigneur de Leuze", incredibly indulgent and satisfying, will accompany you from aperitif to a fish en papillote dish with candied lemons and ginger, without ever getting tiring...
Speaking of new experiences... what if we ventured a little further afield?! Opening a window onto Japan, for example... to discover the world of sake? These drinks, made from ancient rice varieties, offer a world as rich and complex as wine! We'll just be scratching the surface... but that's a start! The "Muroka Hanjozo" from the brewery Honshu Ichi founded in 1916 is an easy-drinking, fruity sake with notes of citrus and fresh mint, or a Junmai from the brewery MATSUURAICHI, very "traditional" as it was founded in 1716... only two hundred years earlier... ;);) from the island of Kyushu to the south, with aromas of rhubarb, beeswax, cereals, light vegetation, drier, almost mineral, perfect for beef tataki or smoked fish.
To complement our liqueurs, the Ultra Yuzu from Maison Chiyomusubi is a refreshing citrus burst with great finesse and crispness, perfect for pairing with scallops, herb-cured shrimp, or as a sweet treat with cheesecake...
