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Product Name
Vintage
Price
Varietal
Country
Region
Appellation
Size
Additional Discount
Original Item
2012
$30.54
Pinot Noir
France
Burgundy
Cote De Beaune
750ml
N/A
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2021
$31.94
Pinot Noir
France
Burgundy
Cote De Beaune
750ml
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2013
$26.00
Pinot Noir
France
Burgundy
Cote De Beaune
750ml
More wines available from Domaine Alain Gras
More Details
Winery
Domaine Alain Gras
Vintage: 2012
2012 has, so far been a positive year for wineries around the world. While it may be a little too early to speak of the wines being made in the northern hemisphere, European and North American wineries have already begun reporting that their harvesting season has been generally very good, and are predicting to continue with the kind of successes they saw in 2011. However, 2012 has been something of a late year for France, due to unpredictable weather throughout the summer, and the grapes were ripening considerably later than they did in 2011 (which was, admittedly, an exceptionally early year). French wineries are claiming, though, that this could well turn out to be advantageous, as the slow ripening will allow the resulting wines to express more flavour and features of the terroir they are grown in.
The southern hemisphere has seen ideal climatic conditions in most of the key wine producing countries, and Australia and New Zealand particularly had a superb year, in particular with the Bordeaux varietal grapes that grow there and which love the humidity these countries received plenty of. Also enjoying a fantastic year for weather were wineries across Argentina and Chile, with the Mendoza region claiming that 2012 will be one of their best vintages of the past decade. Similar claims are being made across the Chilean wine regions, where Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon had an especially good year. These two grape varietals also produced characterful wines on the coastal regions of South Africa this year.
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Whilst the Pinot Noir grape varietal has its origins in France, and is most closely associated with fine Burgundy wines, it is now grown in almost every wine producing country in the world. There are many reasons for this – the densely packed, deep black bunches of fruits are responsible for making a wide variety of excellent wines, generally agreed to be amongst the most drinkable and accessible one can find. With flavors ranging from currants and red and black berries, to more earthy, spicy notes, Pinot Noir is a versatile varietal which is revered for its relatively light body and beautifully vivid red color However, the grapes themselves are notoriously susceptible to various diseases, and struggle in fluctuating climates. This has not stopped wineries planting and cultivating these vines, though, as Pinot Noir, when grown carefully and treated properly, is a grape with a wide and increasing fan-base, and more often than not produces wonderful wines.
Region: Burgundy
The wines which come out of the Burgundy region of France are regularly hailed as amongst the finest in the world, with the area now being synonymous with quality red wines of exceptional flavor, character and aroma. However, Burgundy is no newcomer to the world of fine wines, with the earliest recordings of the quality of this region's produce dating back to the 6th century, and archaeological evidence suggesting that vineyards had been cultivated there for over two thousand years. Today, there are dozens of controlled appellations within Burgundy, each producing exceptional wines typical of the region. The whole area benefits greatly from hot summers and mild, long autumnal periods, which, when coupled with the generations of expertise of the wineries in Burgundy, consistently produces superb wines for the world's enjoyment.
Country: France
It is widely understood and accepted that the finest wines in the world come out of France. Whether you are drinking a vintage bottle from one of the famed Grand Cru wineries of Bordeaux - such as Chateau Margaux or Chateau Lafite-Rothschild - or a more simple and affordable bottle from one of the lesser known appellations in Burgundy, the likelihood is that the wine is packed full of intense and interesting flavors, and has a fine, balanced structure typical of almost all French produce. This reputation for excellence is taken extremely serious by the French, with dozens of regularly updated laws and regulations ensuring the quality and accurate labeling of wines. Such dedication and passion for fine wine, representative of the region in which it is produced, means customers can be assured that when they buy a bottle from France, they are buying something almost certain to please and delight.
Appellation: Cote De Beaune
Anyone who knows anything about fine white wines, and especially fine Chardonnay wines, will surely tell you that there is nowhere on earth quite as impressive as Cote De Beaune when it comes to this particular grape varietal. This beautiful part of the Cote d'Or has been producing many of the world's finest Chardonnay wines for centuries, and their blend of traditional and modern techniques mean that their reputation has been upheld and maintained in the twenty-first century. However, it isn't all about white wine in Cote De Beaune, as the area also produces vast amounts of characterful and interesting red wines, predominantly made from the Pinot Noir grape. Cote De Beaune Pinot Noir tends to be lighter and fruitier than others, and absolutely delicious.