Burgundy Wine Tasting
Le Petit Bijou
Thursday, Dec 15th 4-6pm
*Our original location- 103 North Side Square*
$20 Per Person (Wine Tasting Only)
Reservations Requested. Call 256-964-7980
Presented by special guest,
Allaina Lawrence of International Imports
2020 Bichot Bourgogne Aligote, Burgundy, France $18.99
Aligoté is Burgundy’s great insider secret. We’re convinced that if we could pour a taste of the citrusy, minerally wine for every white-wine lover in the country, it would rocket to the top, bumping some current household-name varieties down the list.
Rarity: That’s the reason that Aligoté hasn’t reached superstar status in the States. The grape is sparsely planted, and what does make it to the bottle is snatched up by thirsty locals and Parisian bistros long before an importer can even take a taste.
Bichot’s Aligoté is one of the best bargains in their already value-laden lineup. The grape is naturally bright and minerally, so Bichot uses stainless-steel tanks for both fermentation and aging to preserve that minerality, and the wine is as classic an example of Aligoté as you can find.
2021 Jean-Marc Brocard Bourgogne Aligote, Burgundy, France $18.99
Since the beginning, Jean-Marc Brocard is committed to a healthier culture, respectful of its environment. In 1997, a plot of 11 hectares of Chablis is conducted in organic and biodynamic. Today, 60 hectares are certified organic farming and biodynamic 40 hectares. Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard one of the first wine producers in organic farming in Chablis and Burgundy.
The nose is fresh with citrus notes accompanied with mineral touches. On the palate, a lively wine, lemony, spicy, delicately fruity and thirst-quenching wine.
This wine generally goes well with rich fish (salmon, tuna etc), shellfish or mild and soft cheese.
2020 Bichot Vire-Clessé (Chardonnay), Burgundy, France $30.99
Stylistically, Viré-Clessé stands apart—not just from the Mâconnais region but from the whole of Burgundy. Nowhere else produces quite the same mix of smoky, gunflint definition and brisk acidity while maintaining a signature rounded texture and sunshine-infused fruit. Inching towards Premier Cru quality, this is one of our favorite expressions of that distinctive southern identity.
Few capture this incomparable terroir better than Albert Bichot—little wonder when you consider the pedigree of the family. With ancestors residing in Burgundy since the 14th century and producing wine since 1831, quality and longevity are synonymous with the Bichot name. The current generation, led by Albéric Bichot, refuses to rest on their laurels: He implemented organic viticulture in the family’s Cote d’Or vineyards and continues to push the envelope on quality.
2020 Bichot Bourgogne Rouge Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes, Burgundy, France $30.99
Our Bourgogne Pinot Noir “Vieilles Vignes” (old vines) is crafted from grapes grown on vines that are between 25 and 30 years old and are located in the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. The varying exposure and altitude of these vineyards allow us to create this mosaic of parcels, resulting in this wine’s beautiful complexity. The venerable age of the vines gives the wine its remarkably concentration, with straightforward, characteristic flavours.
Flattering nose with an appealing palette of fruity aromas (blackcurrant, redcurrant, plum). Fleshy and balanced on the palate with oaked notes and a pleasing finish.
This wine is a fine match for roasted or grilled meats, poultry, vegetables and mild cheeses.
2019 Jeane-Hughes & Gilhem Goisot "Les Mazelots" Irancy, Burgundy, France $42.99
Biodynamic Burgundy at Improbable Prices from “one of the superstars of French winemaking”
Irancy is a small hamlet, with just over 300 inhabitants, situated roughly equidistant from Auxerre and Chablis. The village lies 2km from the Yonne River and is surrounded by a large natural amphitheatre of vines. Like the Côtes d’Auxerre, it is one of the most northern AOCs in France to grow red grapes. As in the neighbouring wine villages of Chitry and Saint-Bris, the wines of Irancy make only rare appearances on export markets. While a small amount of rosé is produced, the region produces mainly red wines from Pinot Noir (which must account for 90% of the blend). Also permitted to a maximum of 10%, is the Burgundian vinifera non grata, César. The vineyards, interspersed with cherry orchards, are planted on slopes of Kimmeridgian limestone mixed with red clays. The highly mineralised soils and the northern climate help to give these Pinots bright acid and a tangy, chiselled personality. Goisot has a paltry 0.5ha in the lieu-dit of Les Mazelots where the vines are now 100 years old. In fact, the Goisot vines are some of the oldest Pinot vines in France and produce outstanding wines. The paltry yields generate genuine concentration to match the powdery structure and can live and develop beautifully. Great value for those looking for Côte d’Or alternatives.
2019 Vincent & Sophie Morey Chassagne Montrachet Rouge Vieilles Vignes, France $48.99
Vincent et Sophie Morey have been making wine together since 2006, with 2007 being their debut vintage. They have 20 hectares of vineyard area across Cheilly-les-Maranges, Santenay, Chassagne-Montrachet, Saint Aubin and Puligny-Montrachet. The approach is very traditional, with all harvesting done by hand and the wine both fermented and matured in barrel.
Vincent et Sophie Morey Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge Vieilles Vignes is made up of Pinot Noir grown on clay-limestone soils from five different parcels in Chassagne-Montrachet at an average altitude of 725 feet. The vines are on average over fifty years old, with one vineyard having been planted in 1935. The wine is aged in French oak, of which 45% is new.
This red Chassagne-Montrachet has a mix of juicy red berry fruit, fresh blackberry and savoury spice. Tannins are fine-grained and silky, giving some weight and texture to the wine, and the refreshing acidity well integrated.
Excellent with pork, tomato-based sauces and mushroom risotto.