Suggestions from Philippe Lapeyrie.
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1. A Loire bubble that will delight many taste buds as an aperitif and/or at the start of a meal!
Chenin Blanc Sparkling 2021
Brut – Domaine Vincent Carême
Vouvray – Loire – France
Code: 11633591
Price: $25.65
Availability: 110 branches in the provinces
Residual sugar per liter: 0 grams
Serve at 10-11 degrees Celsius
Plus: small welcome snacks with tomatoes, fish or shellfish…
At $25, this 100% Chenin Blanc is still one of the best sparkling wines on the Monopoly shelf! A non-calm white that combines energy, tone, power, purity and tension. It is a real little gem that will have its place during the festivities of the holidays between Christmas and New Year. Lively and thirst-quenching acidity, good flavor volume, fresh and satisfying finish… It's all there and it's a devilishly good product! You can easily extend your reserve for another 18 to 24 months.
2. A different and very confusing white wine for the lover of good wine!
Planting 2022
Domaine Marcel Deiss
Alsace – France
Code: 10516490
Price: $25.90
Availability: + 500 bottles online and 140 branches in the provinces
Residual sugar per liter: 4.6 grams
Serve at 10-11 degrees Celsius
Enjoy with: Thai dishes with chicken, noodles, fried rice or shrimp.
This Alsatian white wine will truly take you off the beaten path. This is a vintage made from several grape varieties planted in the same vineyard area. The result is a delicately flavored product, just enough in the mouth and incredibly tasty. Serve it anonymously to your guests, ask them what it is and wish them… good luck! This bottle can slumber quietly in the cellar for another 4-5 years.
3. A Sicilian red wine that will delight family and friends at the bar, both at the table and as an aperitif!
Frappato 2021
Scoglitti – Vino Lauria
Sicily – Italy
Code: 13288630
Price: $22.05
Availability: 145 branches in the provinces
Residual sugar per liter: 1.7 grams
Serve at 15-16 degrees Celsius
Pair with: a variety of Italian-inspired dishes such as thin-crust pizza, pasta in tomato sauce or a plate of veal parmigiana.
The last 3-4 red wines from the Frapto grape variety that I tasted really made me fall in love with this grape variety. Its aroma and flavor profile is reminiscent of Beaujolais wines from Gamay. It is fresh, light, not very tannic, very inviting on the nose, very smooth on the palate… In short, I loved “EVERYTHING” about this Sicilian product and I highly recommend it to you! Take advantage of its benefits by opening the bottle in the next 2-3 years.