everyday drinking series wine club

PRODUCER NOTES:   

La Lisse Soie d'Ivoire is part of the Boutinot Wines portfolio. Boutinot was established in 1980, they own vineyards and wineries all around the world. They are a hands on group of people that networks with other like-minded people in the wine-industry in friendship to produce from dirt to glass, market, and sell wine. They offer a wonderful selection of wines that are meant to overdeliver, provide pleasure, express a sense of place, and want you to pour another glass.

This is an intriguing example of Chenin Blanc from France.  While Chenin Blanc hails from the Loire Valley, this bottling is sourced from plantings in the Haute Vallee de l'Laude Valley near Limoux in South West, France.

WINEMAKING NOTES: This ripe yet crunchy fruit gives this wine it's freshness, vigor and spine, at the same time it's luscious texture which is further complemented and enriched from one third vinified and matured for nine months in seasoned French oak barrels.

TASTING NOTES: A bright, lemony and densely fruity ensemble which has a long-lasting and thought-provoking finish, smooth ("lisse") as silk ("soie").

PAIRING: Best to pair this wine with a nice herb-roasted dish or a seared tuna with kimchi. Soft-shell crabs with a lemon aioli or a nice red snapper with a mango sauce. Fujiya's rainbow roll would be delightful!

PRODUCER NOTES: The Cave Saint Maurice was established in 1924 by a dozen winegrowers who quickly realized that only the fusion of energies and means would allow them to survive.

Four generations later, the winery has 215 cooperative members and is the largest cooperative winery in the Northern Gard. It is located at the foot of the Cévennes between the cities of Alès, Nîmes and Uzès.

The 2,000 hectares of vines of the Cave Saint Maurice cover 49 communes with almost 30 grape varieties and five terroir profiles in IGP Cévennes as well as in IGP Pays d’Oc. A few hectares benefit from the AOP Duché d’Uzès under the name of Mas Cabanel.

A significant part of our production is sold on the premium bulk markets. Since several years, we have begun doing selection work for a qualitative bottle range, fruit of the expression of our Cévennes terroirs, to offer on the French market as well as some export markets.

BLEND: Exact blend notes are not available, but it is Merlot dominant with the remainder Cab Sauv.

TASTING NOTES: There is a wonderful richness to the intense blackberry fruit and underlying notes of licorice. Textured and full-bodied, it finishes long with melted tannins.

PAIRINGS: The winery recommends pairing this wine with grilled meats - I'm thinking a nice juicy rib eye - and black fruited desserts - perhaps a blackberry pie?