Elemental French Values
The Outdoors In Your Glass
by Dustin Soiseth
2023 Chignin Blanc
France | Savoie, Bugey, Hautes-Alpes
The sensation I get when drinking this wine is akin to the experience of hiking in the high country in early summer, and a cool breeze comes down off the peaks and raises goose pimples on your arms even though it’s warm and sunny. With brisk green apple notes lifted by floral aromas and a mineral bite, this is a crisp Savoyard white that delivers a blast of Alpine refreshment no matter your elevation.
2022 Cahors
France | Southwest
When we pulled the foil packets out of the campfire coals and served up the juicy steelhead filets and crispy potatoes contained within, their delicious aromas melded with the enchanting, cedar-tinged bouquet unfurling from the Cahors in our wine glasses to create a woodsy, smoky sweetness that mirrored our forested surroundings. The Cahors we were enjoying, from Château La Grave in southwest France, is a far cry from the tannic Cahors of old. This thoroughly elegant expression of Malbec is silky and medium-bodied, with vivid black cherry and blackberry fruit that paired wonderfully with the roasted flavors of the meal.