Le Wine-Down!

Every Friday 17h-19h30

Wine Tasting with Matching Nibbles

Free and Open to All

Friday nights at La Derniere Goutte between 5 and 7.30 we wind-down for the week, that is we take a pause, relax, on se detend. Or is it that we wind-up for the weekend? Whichever, what we definitely do is down-wine, that is we open two or three bottles for tasting and match them with a little bite of something. Often something as simple as cheese from our favourite fromagerie, or saucisson, but sometimes when the muse strikes we might get a little creative with the grill oven and whip up something special, seasonal, fresh, and always something that tastes great with whatever wine we’re tasting. Occasionally winemakers who find themselves footlose in Paris on a Friday night drop in to present their wines in person, otherwise it’s us Gouttes and you wine-d-ing our way toward the weekend. And, this is no wind-up, it’s free and open to everyone.

Check back here each week to see what we’re tasting, and we’ll see you Friday!

Friday April 27 2012

Excuse us the little interuption in service, could it really have been that long since we last spoke? Rest assured we’ve been here at La Dernière Goutte each Friday evening winding down. This Friday we’ll be featuring two wines from Collioure. Not only a postcard perfect seaside village in the deep south of France, but home of some great unique wines. Both wines are from Christine Campadieu and Fracis Cantié at Domaine La Tour Vieille. First, the white, ‘Canadells‘, has a great oily texture and maritime aromas with a touch of zest which should make it a perfect partner for the anchovies we are serving with it. The red, ‘Puig Ambeille’ has a deep black fruit almost licourise quality which should go perfectly with the spicy saucisson which we have maturing downstairs in the cave (we don’t only think about wine you know!). A fine way to finish the week and begin the weekend.

Domaine La Tour Vieille, Collioure

‘Canadells’ 2009 and ‘Puig Ambeille’ 2009

 

Friday March 2 2012 

A recent arrival at La Derniere Goutte, Domaine l’Echalier are a small vineyard (just 1.5 hectares) in the village of Rablay in the Loire. Producing just one cuvee, young winemakers Nicolas and Genevieve Bertin-Delatte’s Chenin Blanc has a great tension and rich mouthfeel.

Domaine L’Echalier, Vin de France ‘Chenin’ 2010

 

 

Friday February 24 2012 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going South…of Bourgogne and the Rhone

 

The Mâconais is the area in the south of Bourgogne where the hillsides can be a little steeper and the the prices less so than what you find on the cote d’or to the north. Best known for it’s chardonnays, which from a slightly warmer climat have typically a little more substance than the more mineral expression you find in Meursault for example. Tonight we have a Macon-Fuissé from Domaine la Soufrandise. And from the southern Rhone, or more precisely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, we have a Cote-du-Rhone from Clos du Mont-Olivet. Their top cuvee Châteauneuf was just awarded top points in La Revue du Vin de France, and this their entry level wine expresses a similar restraint in avoiding overly rich over-extracted fruit. It’s a delicious wine at a great price.

As I write Thomas is on his way across town with the fromage from Quatrehomme (the best cheese in Paris!), so it’s time to wine-down. But lastly a mention of the Viré-Clessé (another Mâconais wine) from Domaine Guillemot-Michel that we tasted last Friday. Normally I would avoid drawing attention to the fact I forgot to post before the wine-down, but this wine was so exceptionally well balanced it’s worth bringing up. The only problem is, we keep drinking it, so come and get yours soon.

Domaine La Soufrandise, Mâcon-Fuisée 2009

Clos du Mont-Olivet, Cotes-du-Rhone, 2009

 

 

Friday February 10 2012

Loire, Languedoc, L’amour?

 

Roses are so passé. Avoid the Valentine’s Day rush, not to mention looking terribly cliché, and show someone you really care by bringing them to le Wine-Down this Friday. We’ve got a vif cold climate chenin blanc from biodynamic producer Philippe Gourdon at Chateau Tour Grise in Saumur. It has a strong mineral-acid freshness balanced by the rich texture typical of chenin. We’ll also be tasting  an assemblage of Grenache, Syrah and Carrignan made by Olivier Jullien et Jean-Baptiste Granier from small parcels of vines growing amongst the woods at the commune of Saint Privat in the Larzac region of the Languedoc. This wine has a spicyness and bold structure carried by a freshness which prevents the wine being overly heavy. It’s the perfect combination of the heat of southern sunshine tempered by the high altitude climate of the Larzac Terraces. And just to show you how much we care well be making a glacial trek across to the 7eme to bring you a selection of Paris’ best fromages from Fromagerie Quatrehomme. Come share the love!

Chateau Tour Grise, Saumur ‘les Fontenelles’, 2009

Les Vignes Oubliées, Coteaux du Languedoc, 2010

 

 

 

Friday January 13 2012

Galette des Rois et ses Pétillants de Loire

Two sparkling wines from the two producers working in the neighbouring villages of Montlouis to the south and Vouvray to the north of the Loire river, both made from Chenin Blanc, and both with a freshness and vibrancy that balances perfectly the rich pâte amande and buttery pastry flavours of the Galette des Rois. An epiphany of sorts!

Domaine Francois Chidaine, Vouvray Pétillants 2009

Domaine Jousset, Montlouis, ‘Bulbulles’ 2010

Friday January 6 2012

Domaine Jousset, Montlouis "Premier Rendez-Vous" 2010 

a juicy slightly aromatic chenin blanc with a touch of acidity keeping it fresh and vibrant

Domaine Des Deux Anes, Corbieres "Le Premier Pas" 2010

predominantly Carignan with just a touch of Syrah and Grenache in the mix, early picking and whole bunch pressing gives a freshness to this wine that balances the power typical of the Languedoc. And, even better, it’s certified biodynamic!