In Alsace

Riesling Grand Cru Sporen, Scheidecker et Sons, 2019

A Grand-Cru for less than 15€?! Yes, it’s possible! Domaine Scheidecker is a family estate located in the heart of Alsace’s terroir. From generation to generation, they grow wines emblematic of their terroirs and family know-how.

Harvested in mid-October, this Riesling produces a pale gold, semi-dry or even sweet wine.

This wine presents aromas of ripe fruit, bergamot and a few peppery notes. Full-bodied and round on the palate, it’s a real treat! In fact, I’m not the only one who thinks so – it was awarded a one-star rating in the Guide Hachette!

Perfect with a citrus dessert, its sweetness counterbalances the acidity of the dish! Or, for a change from Sauternes, enjoy it with foie gras!

13.10€ on twil.fr

Cuvée Michel Léon Pinot Gris, Arthur Metz, 2019

You don’t immediately think of pinot gris when you think of Alsace, but it reveals some very fine things! The Arthur Metz winery, located in Epfig, is renowned for the quality of its wines, and is one of the leading players in the Alsace wine industry! Often cited in trade magazines, they receive rave reviews and win awards in numerous competitions. More than a symbol, the Arthur Metz house is a veritable institution and a model for Alsace winegrowing.

Vinified to preserve the pure aromas of the grape variety, including cold settling, fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and ageing on fine lees, this wine has a fine, elegant nose with aromas of undergrowth and ripe fruit such as apricots, peaches and cherry plums. On the palate, it is full-bodied, balanced by an extremely pleasant freshness!

Perfect with dry cheeses such as goat’s cheese. It also works very well with scallops!

10.20€ on twil.fr

In Burgundy

Saint Véran Cuvée 130, P.Ferraud & Fils, 2018

At less than 15 euros, it’s hard to find in the prestigious Côte de Beaune vineyards, but there are some very fine wines being made in other, lesser-known appellations! It’s in the Mâconnais, Burgundy’s southernmost wine-growing sub-region! This appellation produces only white wine, made from Chardonnay, of course!

Since the end of the 18th century, 5 generations of the Ferraud family have succeeded one another at the head of the estate. Today, and since 1986, it is Yves-Dominique, son of Pierre Ferraud, who ensures the quality and typicity of the domaine’s wines.

This cuvée, named after the number of years the estate has been in existence, has a rich nose dominated by notes of yellow flowers and honey, enhanced by pear and a hint of butter. On the palate, the balance between roundness and freshness is perfectly controlled, a delight!

11.94 on twil.fr

Chablis, Vineyard Angst, 2020

On the opposite side of Burgundy, to the north, we find the Chablis vineyards, renowned for their great Chardonnays! In Chablis, as in the rest of Burgundy, there is a system of crus, ranging from Petit-Chablis to Grand Cru, based on parcel-based geographical criteria.

The domaine is unique in that it is located in the village of Pontigny, 15 km from Chablis, famous for its abbey. If you’re passing through, Céline and Antoine Angst offer you the chance to combine cultural and oenological discovery, with a tour of Pontigny Abbey followed by a tasting of their wines. The Angst vineyard is a recent development, gaining in renown and gradually expanding to 8 hectares. We therefore advise you to store some in your cellar, as prices may not remain so attractive for long!

The nose reveals aromas of white flowers: hawthorns and acacias, with hints of citrus. The palate is taut and invigorating with a mineral finish, typical of Chablis wines!

14.20€ on twil.fr

In the Loire

Sancerre, Domaine Michel Girard & Fils, 2020

Of course, at this price, it will be difficult to offer you the famous Sancerre wines from Domaine Didier Dagueneau, but you can still discover this superb bottle from Domaine Michel Girard & Fils! Michel and his sons Philippe and Benoît continue to run the family business, combining tradition and modernity. The 20-hectare vineyard, planted on the three Sancerre terroirs (limestone, clay-limestone and flint), offers the opportunity to produce fruity, rich and mineral Sancerre wines.

This one is no exception. Everything is done to preserve the purity of Sauvignon Blanc aromas, including pneumatic pressing and fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The result is a wine with a charming nose, with notes of citrus, exotic fruit and white flowers. On the palate, the wine is supple and fresh. The finish lingers on a mineral note and reveals a lovely liveliness. In short, a wonderful discovery!

15€ on twil.fr

In the Rhône

Viognier, Domaine de Corps de Loup, 2019

Beware, a wine for pleasure! Viognier reveals its best here, with vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, a slow 3-week vatting period at 17°c and no malolactic fermentation to preserve the freshness of the fruit. The nose is dominated by white fruits with light notes of white flowers. On the palate, Viognier retains its characteristic fruitiness. The balance between fatness and freshness is provided by the cool, low-lying terroir of the alluvial plain in which it is grown.

The Corps de Loup vineyard has won over generations of fine wine lovers since Roman times, and with good reason: its location overlooking the Rhone valley benefits from a steep slope. These extreme conditions, combined with exposure to winds like the Mistral, put a lot of pressure on the vines, enabling them to express their terroir to the full. The first vines at Corps de Loup date back to the early 9th century, and over the years the estate has been home to many famous people and ministers.

15€ on twil.fr