To coincide with the Foire aux vins, from August 18 to October 15, La Sommelière brings you the wine selection of Nicolas caviste Léa Perret! Léa, voted France's best young caviste 2022, invites you on a journey through French vineyards:
"Bon Pote" Chardonnay-Aligo - Vin de France
A symbol of conviviality and sharing, Bon Pote is an accessible wine with light ageing. The aim is to have a wine that's easy to open on any occasion. On the palate, there's a lovely note of citrus and grapefruit syrup. The pleasant tension leaves us with a crisp, sapid finish.
Léa's food & wine pairing: Enjoy with friends as a summer aperitif. It goes very well with Sunday oysters, barbecued cod fillet or even a sunny vegetable tart with fresh goat's cheese.
"L'Argenteille, Croix de Bonniol - IGP Pays d'Oc
L'Argenteille is located in the heart of the Languedoc region and produces elegant, refined wines. A blend of Viognier and Grenache Blanc, the profile is gourmand and supple. Fresh white peach and a hint of bergamot blossom.
Léa's food & wine pairing: Enjoy with fruit starters such as roasted peach salad with burrata, cherry tomato tarte tatin or even goat's cheese and apricot toast.
"Grevières", Marie Maria - AOC Pacherenc
This appellation is best known for its sweet wines, but the expression of terroir in its dry wines is equally sublime. The blend of gros manseng and petit courbu expresses marked notes of ripe pineapple and fresh ginger. The wine is very flattering and balanced, and leaves us with a long finish.
Léa's food & wine pairing: Pair with world dishes such as passion/pomegranate ceviche of sea bream, veal tartare with ginger/coriander knife or cream of peppers with ewe's cheese.
Moonseng, Plaimont - IGP Côtes de Gascogne
Plaimont aims to bring the black manseng grape back to the fore in this cuvée. A grape variety emblematic of Gascony's heritage, it is nicknamed "Gascony's Red Gold". Combined with Merlot in this cuvée, it is recognized by its spicy, fruity character. The nose reveals aromas of candied peppers and elderberry coulis. The spices are deeply expressed, with fresh pepper and tapenade fragrances. The palate is ripe and accomplished.
Léa's food & wine pairing: I'd imagine it simply with a chorizo flambé à la portugaise, as in Porto. Or with a homemade burger: brioche bun, duck breast, carrot cake and pepper sauce.
"Champs de Cour", Jean Loron - AOC Moulin-à-Vent
Originally from Lyon, I couldn't resist selecting a Beaujolais wine! I love the climate of this region, which expresses its south-facing granite terroir through deep, distinctive wines. With a few years, they develop a patina and reveal their full potential. The nose is frank and woody, with hints of caramel. The wine opens with roasted prunes, cumin and finishes on a fresh, mentholated note. Its roundness is seductive.
Léa's food & wine pairing: Keep it classic with a delicious andouillette beaujolaise or try a more daring pairing with a spicy beef wok with soy sauce, sesame, cherries and crunchy julienne carrots!
"Les Picasses" Jean-Maurice Raffault
This locality has been home to vines for hundreds of years. 2018 was an excellent year for Touraine, and the wines are ripe and accomplished, as I was able to see on a recent visit to the region. I liked its intense garnet color and bright reflections. On the nose, I recognize the wines of this appellation, which I like very much: redcurrant, spices, chalk... The structure is precise and velvety. The palate evolves on notes of red fruit coulis with a beautiful floral note on the finish. Very good!
Léa's food & wine pairing: To share with friends over coriander-marinated lamb fajitas, or even with a lightly spiced sausage rougail.