The last of Alain Graillot plus a white gem from Savoie
Pricing available as supply lasts.
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Hi everyone –
Two incredible wines to offer this week. One is a STUNNING 100% Rousanne from the Savoie region of France. The other is a near-to-my-heart wine, the last wine touched by Alain Graillot before his passing in 2022.
Ironically, these are also perfect for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
Jean Perrier “Cuvee Gastronmie” Chignin Bergeron, Savoie
Let’s start with exactly where Savoie (sav-WAH) is.
Located due east of Burgundy, at the foot of the Alps and near the border of both Switzerland and Italy, this is a region of incredible beauty, amazing food, beautiful waterfalls, and a wine culture that flies under the radar of most wine drinkers in America.
It’s an alpine wine region, with a continental climate that is also influenced by the Mediterranean. If that sounds like a bit of everything, it is. The microclimate of Savoie is unlike anywhere else.
Apricot, fig, and olive trees abound along with the approximately 10,000 acres of vines in the region.
There are 23 grape varieties planted there. The best known and most common to find are Jacquere (white) and Monduse (red). But amongst the whites, Rousanne is allowed and that’s what we have here.
I LOVE ROUSANNE. Commonly thought of as a blending grape in the southern Rhône (blended with Viognier and Marsanne most often), it goes by a different name in this area: Bergeron. If you’re not familiar with Rousanne, you’re in for a treat. A great Rousanne combines acidity and body, with layers of ripe orchard fruit, sometimes a touch of honey, and bracing acidity to keep the flavors churning. And this is a GREAT Rousanne!
This new-to-Minnesota wine is a direct import by one of favorite local wholesalers. They traveled to France last year with a specific shopping list in hand, travelled to Savoie, met with families and wine bar owners and wine shops, tracked down the perfect fit, and now it’s here in Minnesota. It’s the kind of work we want to support.
Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage 2021
Rarely available! I’ve been the number one proponent of Alain Graillot in the Twin Cities for over 15 years, so we have access to more of this than many.
Alain Graillot transformed the world’s opinion of Crozes-Hermitage, showcasing just how amazing the wines from this region can be.
He was the first winemaker we ever visited in France, and he was the first person to pour a glass of wine for Spencer. Here’s the picture of that moment (thank you, Angela, for capturing it!):
Me taking notes at Alain Graillot winery in 2007.
We lost Alain Graillot in 2022. You can read my article to see more photos and read more stories.
This 2021 on offer is the last vintage touched by the great man. I’ve stashed a bunch of it in my cellar for upwards of ten years of aging. The rest is now available to you.
Tasting note: typical of this wine, which I’ve had every vintage of since 2005, it has a strong core of red raspberry and pencil shavings in the aromas, which will melt into a mellow spice and pepper over time. The layers of complexity are crazy, with all sorts of aromas shape-shifting with every pass: red apple, blackberry, Indian pepper, lavender and rosemary, cured meat, and wild strawberry. Drink now through 2040. (I recently had the 2007 and it was incredible). If having in the next few years, decant it for a couple of hours.
THE OFFER
We have both wines available individually, or a two-pack, or a six pack (three bottles of each). The Graillot is limited to our allocation.
Don’t miss out on this!
Thanks, everyone!
Jason Kallsen
Sommelier and founder/owner of Twin Cities Wine Education
Offer and special pricing are available as inventory lasts