Clément Leclere, Aurèlien Suenen, Emilien Feneuil, Prieuré St Jean de Bébian, Féreol
An effervescent end to the year
Sparkling wines, whether Pet'Nat or Grand Cru Champagnes, bubbles are synonymous with celebrations, family meals or gatherings with friends. Crisp or more mellow effervescence, these wines have something that brings a natural smile, happy to get together and toast to these always magical moments. At Cave du Palais, our sparkling wines are always the fruit of independent winemakers, artisans of the terroir, who will make you bubble with pleasure!
Treating yourself without breaking the bank is possible, here is a selection of affordable bubbles without sacrificing quality:
-Antocyame: Discover the bubble straight from the Montauban region, a juicy and very salivating Merlot, all without sugar. Perfect for an aperitif!
-From the Bulle Nature by Vaillant family, you knew the white version, discover the rosé. Crisp Pineau d'Aunis, with notes of small red fruits and a hint of pepper, an enticing bubble to get you started.
-Michto, the little bubble from Zélige Caravent, delivers a good dose of freshness, with tantalizing citrus and ticklish bubbles. Indulge in a Michto!
-Pépin, the negociant side of the Achillée estate in Alsace, offers a Pet'Nat with the aromatics of Muscat and the tension and depth of Riesling. Sharp yet delicious!
-Olivier Belin's Le Bel Instant is somewhat our "house" cuvée, an artisan Champagne, where the finesse of the bubbles and the very light dosage (Extra-Brut) will surely make it one of the stars of your cocktail parties (it has a weakness for shellfish, so don't hesitate to serve it with some...).
Between Grands Crus and confidential winemakers, a colorful Champagne region
-In Avize on the famous Côte des Blancs, Aurélien Suenen only cultivates Grand Cru terroirs: Avize, Cramant, Oiry, Chouilly. He crafts elegant, deep Chardonnays, where chalk is never far away. An elegant and tactile experience to pair with a beautiful seafood platter.
-Emilien Feneuil is an ultra-confidential winemaker with 2.5 hectares in Sermiers. He cultivates his plots like gardens, always closer to his environment; tasting Emilien's wines is a sensitive and sensorial experience. Perfect with festive roasted poultry, scallops or lobster.
-One of the latest arrivals at the cellar, Clément Leclere is part of this young generation of Champagne producers who are moving away from selling grapes to large houses or cooperatives to reveal their own identity. Well-treated grapes, precise aging, for a pure bubble where dosage has no place. Identity-driven Champagnes that will pair wonderfully with fine smoked fish or turbot meunière.
And others like Les Frères Mignons, Aurélien Clément, Remy Leroy, Clément Perseval, Cazé Thibaut...
New arrivals, distinguished returns, or beautiful cellar finds, some lovely bottles to discover
-Winemakers from the Southwest, Muriel Zoldan (Antocyame) and Pauline Broqua arrived at the cellar with lovely things for us to taste. So, we've reserved them for upcoming meals or simply for the pleasure of discovering the work of these strong-willed women. Crisp and distinctive reds, a lovely white that somewhat reshuffles the cards for Sauvignon Blanc. We love the Southwest!
-In the heart of the Auvergne Puys, on diverse terroirs of basalt, limestone, and granite, Yvan Bernard (Chemins de l'Arkose) is a winemaker who wants to reveal the strength of his soils with pure, additive-free juices, full of emotion, where the grape is the true star of the bottle. In a region that is gaining popularity, Yvan is at the forefront, firmly in his saddle, a quiet force like the sleeping giants that surround him.
-In the Bordeaux region, Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre (BAMA for those in the know) stands out as a UFO. Indeed, JP Boyer vinifies extremely fine wines, lightly colored but wonderfully fragrant. The four emblematic grape varieties—the two Cabernets, Merlot, and Petit Verdot—express themselves marvelously thanks to gentle extractions and aging in concrete vats to capture the very essence of the grapes. A Bordeaux like you've never tasted before. The 2010 will be perfect for the many carnivorous feasts of Christmas!
-At the very north of the Rhône Valley, in Côte-Rôtie, surrounded by impressive names, Agnès Levet is making her mark by offering Syrahs where discreet wood aging elegantly accompanies a graphite-like distinction. The superb Condrieu seduces us with a richness that is far from flabby. To be discovered urgently!
-Chandon de Briailles and Henri Richard represent Burgundy's prestigious Crus, one on the Côte de Beaune and the other on the Côte de Nuits. Appellations like Corton Bressandes Grand Cru or Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru inspire dreams in connoisseurs of this Burgundian savoir-faire that never ceases to amaze us. Other communal Premier Crus or non-Premier Crus are also available for great tasting moments!
-The Loire, Languedoc, and even Galicia are not to be outdone with estates like Porte Saint Jean in Saumur, Prieuré Saint Jean de Bébian in Pézenas, or Quinta da Muradella. The great mastery in the vineyard allows these winemakers to only provide a supportive role in the cellar, leaving you with gastronomic memories full of emotion.
Eaux-de-vie and spirits, drops that taste good
From Scotland to Cape Verde, via Béarn or Dordogne, the world of spirits is a world without borders where everyone can find their pleasure. For lovely gifts to put under the tree, to lighten the end of meals, or to liven up late-night discussions!
