Summer coups de coeur
Salut and welcome to the June edition of the l’Art du Vin wine club!
I hope you have enjoyed the early summer weather we have had of late. We are certainly seeing our sales of white and rosé increase – great to see people embracing drinking seasonally!
This month, on the white side of things, I wanted to concentrate on one particular grape variety – Chardonnay.
A grape that can be much maligned in certain circles, Chardonnay is one of the most versatile and flexible varieties in the world, capable of thriving in a wide range of climates and expressing diverse styles depending on where and how it is grown and produced.
In cooler regions, it often yields wines with crisp acidity and notes of green apple and citrus, while warmer climates bring out riper flavours like tropical fruits and melon.
Winemaking techniques further enhance its adaptability—oak aging can impart rich, buttery, and vanilla notes, while stainless steel fermentation preserves its bright, fresh character.
Despite this flexibility, there are many drinkers out there who see Chardonnay as a challenging variety to love. I think this most probably stems from the quantity of poor-quality Chardonnay that flooded these shores in the 80s and 90s, leaving a bad taste in the mouth and lots of sore heads the next morning!
Hopefully the two examples in this selection will have the opposite effect and leave you wanting to delve deeper in to the world of modern Chardonnay.
I hope that you enjoy this month’s case and many thanks for your continued support
Cheers!
Philippe
‘Autres Terres’ Chardonnay, Domaine des Hautes Terres, Roussillon, France 2021
Producer
Located in the village of Roquetaillade, the estate was founded in 1999 by Gilles Azam and now spans about 12ha across steep parcels at 350–600 m elevation.
Certified organic since 2000, the domaine showcases the quality of wines that can be produced at high-altitude in tandem with the promotion of biodiverse viticulture.
Its terroir of clay, sandstone, marl and fossil-rich limestone yields fresh, mineral-driven whites (including Chardonnay, Chenin and Mauzac) and elegant, well-defined reds.
Tasting Notes
Expect a refined balance of fresh citrus, white peach, and subtle minerality. A truly elegant expression of high-altitude Chardonnay.
Food Pairing
Pair it with seared scallops or a creamy goat cheese tart for match made in heaven.
‘Toques et Clocher’ Chardonnay, Sieur d’Arques, Languedoc, France 2023
Producer
A cooperative founded in 1946 in Limoux, it now unites around 200 growers managing around 1,800 ha of vineyards under AOC Limoux, Pays d’Oc, and Crémant de Limoux.
Renowned as the birthplace of Blanquette and Crémant de Limoux; sparkling wines represent roughly 70 % of its production, with Chardonnay, Mauzac, and Pinot Noir as key grapes.
They founded the annual Toques et Clochers festival in 1990—a high-profile charity auction celebrating Chardonnay with proceeds supporting local church restorations. It is this festival that gives this particular wine its name.
Tasting Notes
The 2023 vintage offers a bright yellow hue with green highlights, revealing a refined nose of white florals, citrus, and subtle spice. On the palate, it strikes a harmonious balance—crisp and mineral-driven, with notes of white fruit, gentle vanilla, and a lingering finish of pepper‑spice. Aged 10 months in French oak, its texture is elegant yet rich.
Food Pairing
Serve alongside scallops in lemon‑herb butter or a creamy risotto with wild mushrooms to complement its fresh-mineral character.
‘Rendez-vous sur la lune’, Clos de Gravillas, Languedoc, France 2021
Producer
Established in 1996 by Nicole and John Bojanowski in the hamlet of Saint‑Jean‑de‑Minervois, this 8.5 ha estate sits on windswept, "lunar" white gravel soils at around 300 m elevation and practices certified organic viticulture with biodynamic principles.
The domaine cultivates around 15 grape varieties. Century‑old Carignan vines recovered in 1999 are central to its identity, alongside Grenache Gris, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, and rare Terret and Piquepoul grapes
Their winemaking focuses on terroir expression: hand harvesting, indigenous yeast fermentation in tanks, demi‑muids, ceramic eggs, and élevage on fine lees, with minimal sulphur and no filtration.
Their wines are praised for mineral-driven freshness and balanced richness—reds show vivid fruit, garrigue notes, and silky textures, while whites express floral, chalky nuance.
Tasting Notes
A medium‑bodied red blend of Carignan, Syrah, and Cinsault, it reveals fragrant aromas of wild berries, violet florals, hints of orange zest, and garrigue herbs. On the palate, the wine offers bright red fruit and sweet spice, supported by a crisp mineral backbone and silky tannins, with a fresh, lingering finish.
Food Pairing
Its lively acidity and herb-tinged fruit make it a wonderful match for roast hare or lamb tajine, and it also pairs delightfully with hearty grilled meats or a rich beef daube.
'Promesa' Crianza, Bujanda, Rioja, Spain 2021
Producer
Founded in 2009 by siblings Carlos and Pilar Martínez Bujanda in Oyón, the Bujanda estate restarts a family winemaking history that originally began in 1889 roots in the Rioja region.
The winery manages 127 ha across 28 plots of 20–60-year-old vines, practising sustainable viticulture—using organic matter return and minimal intervention—to emphasise elegance and terroir.
Winemaking blends tradition and innovation: separate parcel vinification, aging in 2,000 French and American oak barrels, with Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva crafted in a classic Rioja style.
Tasting Notes
Medium-bodied with a pure, silky texture. Expect bags of red fruit, complemented by nuances of clove, cinnamon, and a hint of vanilla from the oak aging.
Food Pairing
This 100% Tempranillo crianza offers vibrant aromas of strawberry, blackberry, and rhubarb fruit, entwined with creamy vanilla, cocoa, and a touch of tobacco from 12 months in American oak. On the palate, it shows smooth, silky tannins and a medium-bodied structure with spicy clove and cinnamon nuances and a pleasantly long, fresh finish.
