Xmas Special
Welcome to the 2024 festive edition of the l’Art du Vin wine club!
There can be quite a lot of pressure on wine during the festive season. People often pick out some special bottles or open things that have been in their cellar for a number of years to mark the occasion.
Therefore, for this month’s selection, I have opted for some Christmas classics – wines which I believe are a failsafe for every festive scenario.
With or without food, for drinks parties or for sipping in front of some Christmas tele, these wines are wonderfully versatile and are the sorts of bottles that are always great to have stocked up!
I want to thank you for your continued support this year. I take great pleasure in curating the wine club each month. I hope over the course of this year we have introduced you to some new varieties and regions, as well as highlighting the great work of some of our favourite artisan producers.
I hope you continue on our journey of discovery in 2025 as we still have lots more to uncover!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.
Cheers!
Philippe
‘Vin de Folie’ PetNat, Attwoods Wines, Victoria, Australia NV
Producer
Attwoods Wines is a boutique winery specializing in cool-climate wines, particularly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery operates across several regions in Victoria, Australia, including Ballarat, Macedon Ranges, and Geelong. Attwoods is known for its minimal intervention approach, aiming to produce wines that reflect the unique characteristics of each vintage and terroir.
Troy Walsh, the winemaker and founder of Attwoods, began his career as a sommelier in London, working at prestigious restaurants such as The Square and Nahm. His passion for wine led him to Burgundy, France, where he worked with renowned Pinot Noir producers like Domaine de L’Arlot and Domaine David Duband. In 2010, Troy and his wife Jane established Attwoods, bringing their European-inspired winemaking techniques to Victoria.
Attwoods focuses on producing food-friendly wines with a philosophy of taking great risks to achieve great rewards. They manage several vineyards, including the Glenlyon Vineyard in Macedon Ranges and the Mon Climat Vineyard in Scotsburn, known for their challenging cool-climate conditions.
Tasting Notes
This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is a Petillant Naturel, or Pet Nat for short. That is a sparkling wine made in the 'methode ancestrale', which is to say, bottle with residual sugar which then continues to ferment in the bottle, finishing relatively dry with pleasantly frothy bubbles.
Expect bags of green apple and citrus flavours, complemented by zesty acidity and a slight creaminess from the lees contact. The bubbles are fine and add a refreshing effervescence. The finish is clean and refreshing, with lingering notes of citrus and a touch of herbal complexity.
Festive Food Pairing
A perfect festive party fizz! Great as an aperitif or with light dishes and festive canapés.
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PetNat, Château Tour des Gendres, Bergerac, France NV
Producer
Château Tour des Gendres, in the south-west of France near Bergerac, is now controlled by the 3rd generation of the de Conti family, who originally settled in the region in 1925.
The 52 hectare estate is home to many of the region’s typical grapes, with whites including Semillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle along with black grape varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.
Head winemaker Jean de Conti uses these resources to produce fantastic organic wines that concentrate on fruit, balance, power and freshness. The estate was certified fully organic in 2005, and is now classed as one of the best wine-growing estates in South West France.
Tasting Notes
This blend of Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc is a Petillant Naturel, or Pet Nat for short. That is a sparkling wine made in the 'methode ancestrale', which is to say, bottle with residual sugar which then continues to ferment in the bottle, finishing relatively dry with pleasantly frothy bubbles.
Bright with acidity and tart orchard fruit, think underripe white peach, which balances the slight sweetness at the front. The finish is bone dry, with lovely clean minerality.
Festive Food Pairing
An ideal foil to grilled and spiced lamb, steak, and ale pie with mash. Also a perfect partner to homely dishes such as lasagne.
Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc ‘Le Caillou’, Clos de Caillou, Rhône, France 2022
Producer
The Clos du Caillou was founded in 1895 when Elie Dussaud settled there and created an old cellar.
It started as a hunting retreat and it has a remarkable history which explains its exclusion from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation upon its creation in the 1930s – as a result, the Clos du Caillou is nowadays home to some of the most spectacular terroir classified as simply Côtes-du-Rhône.
The estate was purchased in the mid-1950s by the Pouzin family who decided to plant vines on the land that had traditionally been designated for hunting. They also acquired a 9 hectare plot within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation itself.
In 1995, Sylvie Pouzin took on the estate from her father and began the process of converting the vineyard to biodynamic practices. They gained their official organic certification in 2010 and since then have gone on to grow their reputation for the production of outstandingly wines.
Tasting Notes
A blend of Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Clairette and Bourboulenc. Shiny yellow topaz colour with bright reflections. On the nose, aromas of white flowersbeds associated with white flesh fruits and beautiful mirabelle. The palate is full and creamy with a taste of apricot liqueur, and very nice finish.
Festive Food Pairing
A great partner to seafood dishes, also a good option for cheese.
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Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge ‘Le Caillou’, Clos de Caillou, Rhône, France 2022
Producer
The Clos du Caillou was founded in 1895 when Elie Dussaud settled there and created an old cellar.
It started as a hunting retreat and it has a remarkable history which explains its exclusion from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation upon its creation in the 1930s – as a result, the Clos du Caillou is nowadays home to some of the most spectacular terroir classified as simply Côtes-du-Rhône.
The estate was purchased in the mid-1950s by the Pouzin family who decided to plant vines on the land that had traditionally been designated for hunting. They also acquired a 9 hectare plot within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation itself.
In 1995, Sylvie Pouzin took on the estate from her father and began the process of converting the vineyard to biodynamic practices. They gained their official organic certification in 2010 and since then have gone on to grow their reputation for the production of outstandingly wines.
Tasting Notes
This Grenache-led blend displays a deep purple colour with rubis reflections. Delicate on the nose with red fruits, blackberry, gooseberry and pyrenees cherry. The palate is unctuous and dynamic with nice tannins accompanied by aromas of cherries and blackcurrant jam, finishing with a nice freshness.
Festive Food Pairing
A fantastic match with beef, duck or venison dishes but not so robust that a food pairing is required to enjoy this silky smooth wine.
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Minervois Rouge, Domaine Canet, Languedoc, France 2020
Producer
Château Canet is a family run wine and olive domaine in the appellation of Minervois. Winemaker and owner Floris Lemstra tends to his 45 hectares estate following the principles of ‘Terra Vitis’, promoting sustainability throughout his vineyard. In order to further boost the ecosystem across his land, Floris maintains a 3 hectare olive grow alongside a vast wild pine forest.
If you see the ‘Terra Vitis’ symbol on a bottle of wine, it is a good indication that the producer works in a sustainable manner with utmost respect for their land. Founded more than 25 years ago in the Beaujolais region, today the Terra Vitis association is one of the most respected certifications within the wine sector, and the only recognised organisation for sustainable viticulture in France.
Producers must follow a strict list of specifications to achieve this certification, with each of their decisions taken in order to achieve the best possible balance between respect for the environment, for society as a whole, and for the economic sustainability of wine estates. The Terra Vitis growers’ goal can be described as a commitment to making quality wine, in the best possible way, now and in the future.
Tasting Notes
A classic Minervois blend of Syrah and Grenache this is chock full of ripe blackberry and blackcurrant. Aromas of garrigue herbs and violets add a satisfying note of complexity.
Festive Food Pairing
Crying out to pair with your festive cheeseboard! Also delicious with bold meat dishes or simply on its own.
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