Summer White Wines for Under $40 - Part I France
June 2017
As the temperature rises and we enter into summer, almost everyone from the seasoned wine collector to the casual drinker will start thinking about drinking their favorite white wines. Even I myself find it difficult to drink my favorite California Cabernet when the temperature rises above 90 degrees. I also find white wines, especially Chardonnay, much more nuanced than either a Cabernet or Merlot. For that reason, I have tended to mix the more complex French White Burgundy wines with some of the more forward-styled Sonoma wines for the summer.
Before diving right into my selections for this first installment on summer white wine, I think it is helpful to understand how producers in Burgundy and Sonoma differ in some very important ways. In Burgundy almost all of the major producers will typically produce a broader range of wines than their California cousins. While some of this is reflective of the respective terroir in each region, with California being far more consistent than Burgundy has ever been, some of these production decisions are purely business decisions. As an example, you can find a producer of the much coveted Batard Montrachet, typically fetching anywhere between $250 - $1000/bottle, to also be producing what is generally called “village” wine. These “village” style wines are still sourced from within the appellation, but usually range in the comfortable $20 - $30 per bottle range. In addition, I also like to stay with producers where I enjoy their high-end wines. I have found that if I like the style of their expensive offerings, I am more likely to enjoy their more affordable offerings.
By way of contrast, in Sonoma, and in California in general, there are two distinct types of producers; those that produce expensive, cult wine that can range in price anywhere from $100 - $1,000 per bottle and those producers targeting the lower-end wine market, say $20 - $50 per bottle. As I alluded to earlier, this bifurcation in the California wine market is largely driven by business decisions. However, on the whole I have found the consistency of moderately priced California wines very satisfying, knowing of course that I am not going to see the complexity I might see in a good Burgundy.
French Selections: In this installment of Summer White Wines I have focused on a producer I have enjoyed for many years, Paul Pernot. Domain Paul Pernot has produced wines from a 29.64 acre estate in Puligny Montrachet for many years. I have enjoyed the consistency of his Batard Montrachet in particular. However, he also produces a Bourgogne white and a Bourgogne Aligote white, both of which can be purchased for between $20 - $30 per bottle. More detailed tasting notes can be found by clicking the following links: Bourgogne white, Bourgogne Aligote. The Bourgogne white was a very pleasant Chardonnay and overall had a good balance of minerals and fruit with a characteristic creamy texture, while the Aligote was tilted more in the direction of mineral and citrus textures than its Chardonnay cousin. I found both enjoyable, with the Aligote great to start a summer cocktail party.
Where to Find Them: Both of these wines should be available in the U.S. wine wholesale system, but two stores, both of which I have done business with, currently have some in stock:
NY-Based Customers: USA National Customers:
The Burgundy Wine Company Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe
www.burgundywinecompany.com www.knightsbridgewine.com
143 West 26th Street 824 Sunset Ridge Road
New York, NY 10001 Northbrook, Il 60062
(212) 691-9092 847-498-9300
Before diving right into my selections for this first installment on summer white wine, I think it is helpful to understand how producers in Burgundy and Sonoma differ in some very important ways. In Burgundy almost all of the major producers will typically produce a broader range of wines than their California cousins. While some of this is reflective of the respective terroir in each region, with California being far more consistent than Burgundy has ever been, some of these production decisions are purely business decisions. As an example, you can find a producer of the much coveted Batard Montrachet, typically fetching anywhere between $250 - $1000/bottle, to also be producing what is generally called “village” wine. These “village” style wines are still sourced from within the appellation, but usually range in the comfortable $20 - $30 per bottle range. In addition, I also like to stay with producers where I enjoy their high-end wines. I have found that if I like the style of their expensive offerings, I am more likely to enjoy their more affordable offerings.
By way of contrast, in Sonoma, and in California in general, there are two distinct types of producers; those that produce expensive, cult wine that can range in price anywhere from $100 - $1,000 per bottle and those producers targeting the lower-end wine market, say $20 - $50 per bottle. As I alluded to earlier, this bifurcation in the California wine market is largely driven by business decisions. However, on the whole I have found the consistency of moderately priced California wines very satisfying, knowing of course that I am not going to see the complexity I might see in a good Burgundy.
French Selections: In this installment of Summer White Wines I have focused on a producer I have enjoyed for many years, Paul Pernot. Domain Paul Pernot has produced wines from a 29.64 acre estate in Puligny Montrachet for many years. I have enjoyed the consistency of his Batard Montrachet in particular. However, he also produces a Bourgogne white and a Bourgogne Aligote white, both of which can be purchased for between $20 - $30 per bottle. More detailed tasting notes can be found by clicking the following links: Bourgogne white, Bourgogne Aligote. The Bourgogne white was a very pleasant Chardonnay and overall had a good balance of minerals and fruit with a characteristic creamy texture, while the Aligote was tilted more in the direction of mineral and citrus textures than its Chardonnay cousin. I found both enjoyable, with the Aligote great to start a summer cocktail party.
Where to Find Them: Both of these wines should be available in the U.S. wine wholesale system, but two stores, both of which I have done business with, currently have some in stock:
NY-Based Customers: USA National Customers:
The Burgundy Wine Company Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe
www.burgundywinecompany.com www.knightsbridgewine.com
143 West 26th Street 824 Sunset Ridge Road
New York, NY 10001 Northbrook, Il 60062
(212) 691-9092 847-498-9300