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Winery
Louis Jadot
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: Chardonnay
Of all the white wine grape varietals, surely the one which has spread the furthest and is most widely appreciated is the Chardonnay. This green skinned grape is now grown all over the Old and New Worlds, from New Zealand to the Americas, from England to Chile, and is one of the first varietals people think of when considering white wine grapes. Perhaps this is because of its huge popularity which reached a peak in the 1990s, thanks to new technologies combining with traditional methods to bring the very best features out of the Chardonnay grape, and allow its unique qualities to shine through. Most fine Chardonnay wines use a process known as malolactic fermentation, wherein the malic acids in the grape juice are converted to lactic acids, allowing a creamier, buttery nature to come forward in the wine. No grape varietal is better suited to this process than Chardonnay, which manages to balance these silky, creamy notes with fresh white fruit flavors beautifully.
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
French winemakers are subjected to several laws and regulations regarding the wines they produce, and how they can be labeled and sold. Such procedures are designed to increase the overall quality of the country's produce, and also to ensure that wines made in each particular region or appellation are of a character and type which is representative of the area. Thankfully for consumers of wine world-wide, the French have a particularly high reputation to uphold, and seem to do so flawlessly. Every year, wineries from all over France produce millions upon millions of bottles of fine wine, making the most of their native grape varieties and the excellent terrain which covers most of the country. From the expensive and exquisite red wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy, to the white wines and cremants of central France, the French are dedicated to providing the world with wines of the highest quality and most distinctive character.
Appellation: Cote De Beaune
The beautifully and unforgettable French region of Cote De Beaune has been revered throughout the centuries, and recognized as one of the key producer's of the world's finest white wines. The region is highly respected as an excellent producer of Chardonnay wines, and the Chardonnay grapes which grow there, on the southern slopes of the Cote d'Or, are packed full of the unique and powerful characteristics of this very special terroir. Interestingly, Cote De Beaune produces more red wine than white wine, despite its white wines being so famous. The red wines of Cote De Beaune are mainly made from Pinot Noir, but are relatively very light and fruity in their character, perfect for sipping on a warm, sunny day alongside a wide range of foods.