Exclusive Northern Rhône White Knockout!
In the famed granite soils just above Saint-Joseph, vigneron Jean-François Jacouton crafts a gorgeous Northern Rhône white from land once farmed by his grandfather.
This vibrant, roundly textured wine had us smiling when we tasted it in the cellar with Jean-François. We are beyond excited to announce that the supply we ordered has now arrived in Chicago!
The melon, apricot and mango flavors are so pure and so compelling as they lay across the plush palate, with nuance of white pepper, elderflower and jasmine adding beautiful complexity.
If this wine had come from similar soils in the nearby Condrieu zone, you would quite happily pay twice the price!
We are HUGE fans of this wine. At just over 20 bucks, it is a rare steal in the world of Northern Rhône Viognier. Read on for the full story, and for details on a perfect-for-spring Loire Valley Rosé of Gamay, then hit the Big Green Button to grab these French beauties while our supplies last.
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2022 Jean-François Jacouton "Granit" Viognier
Collines Rhodaniennes, Northern Rhône, France
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On our travels to France, it is not uncommon for us to find red wines that offer that magical combination of purity, character and texture. Finding a white that makes us light up instantly with a happy smile? That is a rarity.
This beautifully bright Viognier comes from hand-harvested, sustainably farmed vines grown just a few kilometers from the famed appellation of Condrieu. With peach and plumeria flavors, hints of almond skin and a textural roundness and character not normally found in wines at this price, our faces lit up when we tasted this wine with Jean-François.
This is what Viognier is meant to be. The bold aromas, the exotic flavors and the silky textures are all there and they are all in beautiful balance. So good. So accessible. So delightful. You could serve this wine to anyone!
Pair with roasted chicken, Easter ham, Thai curry, grilled salmon, or do as we did and simply enjoy it on its own. On our scale, it pegs in at 92 points. It's that good.
The only other listing in the United States for this tiny production white is $30, for a bottle from the previous vintage. You wouldn't go wrong at that amount. Our price makes this a real slam dunk!
Vin Chicago Price: 22.99
Tiny Grower. Tiny Loire Appellation. Delicious Rosé!
2024 Domaine des Bérioles Gamay Rosé
Saint-Pourçain, Loire Valley, France
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In the little-known region of Saint-Pourçain, Domaine des Bérioles produces delicious dry Rosé from the Gamay grape. We tasted this wine while visiting the property last year, and we loved it.
Along with his sister and brother-in-law, vigneron Jean Teissèdre crafts this impressive dry Rosé utilizing organic and biodynamic practices. Pouring a pale salmon pink, it yields an array of crabapple blossoms, talc, lavender, cranberry, white raspberry, pepper, sweet herbs and river stone mineral flavors that have us anticipating the warm days of spring and summer.
Bright and generous on the palate, with taut red berry fruit, peppery, herbal accents and zippy minerals giving energy and mouthwatering drinkability, this would be freaking brilliant with a simple cheese board on a warm spring afternoon. A big plate of spicy Buffalo wings would be pretty darn compelling too!
We're not sure of the production quantity, but it must be tiny. Not only could we not find any listings for this gem in the United States, we couldn't find even a single listing anywhere on the planet! Grab a supply and drink all summer long!
Vin Chicago Price: 17.99
