Léa Perret's Festive Wine Selection
By Léa Perret, Best Young Cavist of France 2022
With the end-of-year festivities approaching, I'm delighted to share with you the selection I've concocted for my customers to make your tastings unforgettable moments. You can find these products in Nicolas stores near you.
Bulles de Fête:
I love to start things off in style with bubbles, I find they awaken the palate wonderfully. The Champagne Ayala Blanc de blancs 2016 lends itself very well to this. The bubbles are very delicate and airy. The palate is fresh, sapid and slightly toasted. A fine tension structures its balance, just what you need to start the meal! This Champagne can be enjoyed on its own or with petits fours, and for those who prefer, it can also be drunk with a seafood platter.
Elegant white wines:
As a general rule, different starters open the ball of festive meals, so for me it's necessary to associate a white wine that will be able to reveal all its facets in order to adapt to the different dishes. I therefore selected Schlumberger's Riesling Saering 2020. I particularly like its remarkable iodine notes that will accompany the seafood platter, its robustness and chewiness for smoked salmon and its salivating, lively side that will slice foie-gras very well.
Festive reds:
When it comes to reds, it's hard to choose just one, so here are 2 to suit all menu needs. With poultry or game birds, I recommend a fine, subtle, mellow wine. The Pinot Fin de Geantet Pansiot 2019 will fit the bill perfectly, it's a very fragrant and delicate wine with lovely notes of fresh wild strawberries. With beef, duck or lamb, I've selected Domaine de la Mordorée's Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Reine des bois 2020, which is a real favorite for me. Rich, velvety in structure and above all, long enough to bring out the best in your stewed dishes. Remember to open it well in advance so that it can air out and bring out its full aromatic palette.
Rouges and Cheeses:
On a cheese platter, I wanted a buttery, toasty white with a nice freshness. The aim was not to mask the taste of the different cheeses, but rather to highlight them. The 2017 white Rully from Domaine des Rois Mages is ideal for this. If you really prefer a red, you can opt for or continue with the Pinot Fin mentioned above.
Sweetness:
Finish off with a sweet, fresh nectar, so as not to weigh down the palate too much. I thought of an ice cider from Domaine Pinnacle, produced in the heart of Quebec. It makes a nice change from the usual sweet wines and adds an original, fruity touch of candied apple.
Practical advice :
Personalized pairings: Ask your wine merchant for the most precise pairing possible, depending on the dish and your guests' expectations.
Optimal service: Make sure your wines are served at the right temperature and well aerated to bring out all their aromas. For perfect tastings, I recommend our La Sommelière temperature-controlled wine cellars. They guarantee that your wines are served at the ideal temperature, allowing them to reveal all their aromas. Don't forget to air your wines before tasting.
Exploration: Take advantage of the festive season to explore new vineyards and grape varieties.
I hope this selection will add aspecial touchto your festive moments. Don't hesitate to share your discoveries and toast to joy and conviviality!
To your glasses and happy holidays,
LéaPerret