White Wine Domaine Fournier Silex Sancerre Blanc 2021. The Fournier family have been making wine since the 1800s and today they’re recognised as one of Sancerre’s top producers. The property is run by winemaker Claude and his brother Jacques who take care of 222 acres of vines which are farmed organically with yields kept low and harvesting done by hand. The estate has vineyards in some of Sancerre’s top terroirs, such as Maimbray, Verdigny, and Bue. This attention to detail continues in the winery where the brothers have installed the latest technology including temperature-controlled fermentation tanks and the use of gravity to extract juice from the grapes. These measures help to preserve the pure varietal character of the Sauvignon Blanc creating pure and authentic Sancerre wines which are very popular in France and beyond. Silex is named after the famous flinty soils found on the eastern edges of Sancerre which typically produces remarkably elegant and minerally Sauvignon Blancs. Fournier picks their grapes early in the season to retain plenty of freshness and the young wine is aged on the lees for 8 months to add complexity and a richer texture to balance the acidity and intense citrusy character. The minerality and graceful profile makes this a great wine to serve as an aperitif or alongside oysters, lobster, creamy cheeses or even sushi.
2021
White Wine Domaine Fournier Silex Sancerre Blanc 2021
White Wine Domaine Sigalas Santorini Assyrtiko 2021. No need to decant. Domaine Sigalas is by far one of the most prestigious wineries in the Greek wine scene, both for the quality and the personality of its wines, created from a terroir in some ways poor, but highly complex. Located in Santorini, in the Cyclades, in the southern Aegean, where the landscape is dominated by the white of the pretty little houses overlooking the caldera and the blue of the sea, the company produces white wines from Assyrtiko, Athiri, and Aidani, and red wines from Mandilaria and Mavrotragano, all grown from ancient vines. The Assyrtiko is the most iconic wine of the Domaine Sigalas. The grapes come from over 60 years old vines, which grow on volcanic soil rich in minerals. At the end of the manual harvest, the grapes are gently pressed, and the must ferments in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature. Before bottling, the wine ages for a few months in steel. In the glass, it has a straw yellow color, with bright reflections. The aromatic profile is refined, with notes of lime peel, grapefruit, Mediterranean aromatic herbs, white pulp fruit, and hints of flint. On the palate, it is sharp with fragrant and intense flavors and a salty backbone that accompanies a finish characterized by a lively citrus freshness. It’s a must with any fish recipe.
2021
White Wine Domaine Sigalas Santorini Barrel Assyrtiko 2021. No need to decant. Founded in 1991 the Domaine Sigalas of Paris Sigalas, has quickly become an international reference point for Santorini, for the indigenous Assyrtiko variety, and for high-quality Greek wine in general. Located within walking distance of Oia, the picturesque, postcard town of Santorini, Sigalas produces a wide range of other wines from indigenous grapes such as Athiri and Aidani, Mavrotragano, and Mandilaria. More recently, the winery has been exploring and experimenting with the subtle variations of the terroir of seven individual Santorini villages. The Assyrtiko grapes are sourced from selected vineyards over the age of 60 on the island of Santorini. The fermentation and aging of the wine on the lees takes place in French oak barrels. The resulting wine has a bright golden color. On the nose, it shows a fair presence of wood with hints of citrus fruits. In the mouth, it is a full and round wine, refreshing and balanced, with good acidity and a long and persistent aftertaste characterized by a vibrant minerality typical of this grape. It is the ideal wine for pairing with white meats served with spicy sauces, rich cheeses, and fish, especially salmon and tuna. Serve it at 12 ° C.
2021