With the arrival of Spring and longer days, here's some reading that should plant a few seeds of desire and make your thirst for discovery blossom!
Les Terres Bariolées, eruptive viticulture
Head to Puy-de-Dôme, a land of volcanoes but also of winemakers. It is surrounded by these dormant and serene giants that Claire Frest and Edoardo Veltroni decided to set up shop in 2022, in the commune of Chalus at an altitude of 600 meters. 5 hectares of Chardonnay, Muscat Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Gamay, organically farmed with biodynamic principles and a rather Burgundian approach, as a nod to the vineyard that brought these two aesthetes together. This Franco-Italian marriage in the land of Vercingetorix produces a happy blend, full and mineral wines that reflect the timeless energy of the place. Les Terres Bariolées is amazing!
Domaine La Caillabère, in Béarn
In the commune of Taron, not far from the village of Aydie, Jean-Marc Larroudé produces wines that exude the Béarnaise identity so dear to us. On hillsides covered with scree, large rolled pebbles that almost transport us to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, we find the indigenous grape varieties: Petit and Gros Manseng, Tannat and a little Cabernet Franc. With always a special attention given to Nature and healthy grapes, Jean-Marc, supported by his daughter and son-in-law, offers us an affable sensory tasting, like this Abora cuvée made from 90% press Tannat and 10% Cabernet Franc, surprisingly delicate and fragrant. La Caillabère is top-notch.
Domaine Diconne, Auxey-Duresses
A brief tour of Burgundy, south of the Côte de Beaune, where the Domaine Diconne is established in the commune ofAuxey-Duresses. Christophe Diconne belongs to the third generation of this family that cultivates 10 hectares of vines in appellations that resonate with wine lovers: Auxey-Duresses, Meursault and Pommard. Far from the speculative frenzy of some of his colleagues, Christophe vinifies his grapes in the pure regional tradition, with controlled aging and elegant mouthfeel to best express this Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that thrill our taste buds and senses. With Christophe, taste Burgundy that's not disconnected.
Tommy's Fizz, Cocktails from Bayonne
Why bother with measuring, sprinkling your workspace with sugar and lemon, getting tired of shaking for often disappointing results? With alcoholic or non-alcoholic cocktails from Tommy's Fizz , benefit from the experience of a real bartender, Tom in this case, to surprise your guests. Balanced drinks, made with well-sourced ingredients and a touch of chill straight from the Basque Coast. Open, serve, enjoy! Cheers!
