White wines are an obvious choice for warm summer drinking. The acidity in white wine pairs perfectly with fish, fruit, salads and lighter summer fare. Whites also have less alcohol so, again, work better with warmer temperatures. Simply stated, there’s just nothing like a crisp, cold glass of white wine on a hot summer night!
But which white to drink? More and more, wine lovers are turning away from over-oaked New World-style Chardonnay. We’ve observed this trend on any number of occasions. Most recently, while touring with one of our wine groups to Burgundy, one of the members was adamant about her dislike for Chardonnay. We tried to explain the difference between the Chardonnay typically available in the States and French Burgundy. She wasn’t convinced. However, on our first stop in Chablis — Domaine Louis Michel — after a bit of coaxing, she reluctantly tasted the wine. Seconds later, her face lit up, and smiling from ear-to-ear, she exclaimed: “This is Chardonnay???? I LOVE this!!!”
One taste is worth a thousand words….. with that in mind, we’ve put together a great offering of white Burgundies. We won’t waste too many words describing them so you can order and enjoy them!
Technically, the recent vintages in Burgundy have all been quite good. 2014 provided fresh acidity while 2015, a warm vintage, gave the wines more weight while still affording freshness. 2016, with its well-documented difficulties (related to hailstorms and loss of wine in many appellations) was excellent in the appellations that did not suffer.
Henri Boillot
While traveling with Henri Boillot this Spring and tasting his 2016s at a number of events, everyone we met was enthusiastic about his wines. With aromas of white flowers and light citrusy fruit, they are quintessential white Burgundies.
One glass of one begs for another. We call it Henri’s wine magic, and we challenge you to find a better Chardonnay for $20 than his Bourgogne Blanc!
2016 Henri Boillot Bourgogne Blanc. $22.99. 12 cases available.
2016 Henri Boillot Puligny Montrachet Premier Cru Mouchère. $94.99. 6 cases available.
2016 Henri Boillot Meursault Premier Cru Perrières. $109.99. 6 bottles available.
Premier Crus Chablis are some of our favorite wines. They only feature a touch of oak and the rest is an infinite flavor of Chardonnay in its purest state. This past week, we had a chance to taste wines from Domaine William Fèvre and Domaine Laroche and are eager now to share our offering with you. Chablis are by far the most underrated white wines. Chablis Grands Crus are comparable to Grands Crus Montrachets, Bienvenues, Batard and Chevalier, but sell for less than $100!
Domaine Laroche cellars in Chablis.
2016 William Fèvre Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume. $42.99. 1 case available.
2016 William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Magnum Les Preuses. $182.99. 3 Magnums available.
2016 William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos. $97.99. 1 bottle available.
2014 Domaine Laroche Chablis Village $19.99. 2 cases available.
2015 Domaine Laroche Chablis St Martin $19.99. 2 cases available.
2016 Domaine Laroche Chablis Premier Cru Vaudevey $39.99. 1 case available.
2014 & 2015 Domaine Laroche Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons $39.99. 1 case of each available.
2015 Domaine Laroche Chablis Grand Cru Blanchots. $78.99. 1 case available.
Guillaume Michel, owner of Domaine Louis Michel & Fils. Photo by Marla Norman.
And back to Domaine Louis Michel, the wines are incredibly mineral and food friendly. And our pricing is considerably lower than any offering in the U.S.
2015 Louis Michel Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre. $29.99. 1 case available.
2015 Louis Michel Chablis Premier Cru Montmains. $26.99. 1 case only.
2015 Louis Michel Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir. $54.99. 1 case only.
South of Chablis and in fact, South of Beaune, we are also offering you a selection of wines from Domaine Leflaive. This estate just offered their 2016s in pre-sell, and while pricing for many of these wines is equal to their quality, we wanted to offer you three of their best-buys. Of course, as with all Domaine Leflaive wines, quantities are limited.
2016 Domaine Leflaive Pouilly-Fuissé. $64.99. 6 bottles available.
2016 Domaine Leflaive Auxey Duresses. $64.99. 18 bottles available.
2016 Domaine Leflaive Mâcon-Verzé. $39.99. 6 cases available.
Again, we won’t waste any more words describing these incredible wines so you can quickly order and begin drinking them! Call 850-687-1370 or write mthibaultwine@gmail.com.
Here’s to Summer Whites!
