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More Details
Winery
Domaine De Courcel
Vintage: 2011
The year 2011 was an interesting year for many northern and central European countries, as the weather was more than unpredictable in the spring and summer. However, in most countries, the climatic conditions thankfully settled down in the late summer and fall. The result of this slightly difficult year of weather in France was a set of surprisingly small yields, but overall, these yields were of a higher quality than those harvested in certain previous years. A fantastic set of wines was also made in Italy and Spain, and the Rioja wines - when released - are set to be very good indeed. Austria also had superb year in 2011, with almost fifty percent more grapes being grown and used for their distinctive Gruner Veltliner wines than in the year before. Possibly the European country which had the finest 2011, though, was Portugal, with wineries in the Douro region claiming this year to be one of the best in decades for the production of Port wine, and the bright, young Vinho Verdes wines.
In the New World, the Pacific Northwest saw some of the best weather of 2011, and Washington State and Oregon reportedly had a highly successful year, especially for the cultivation of high quality red wine grapes. Chile and Argentina had a relatively cool year, which certainly helped retain the character of many of their key grape varietals, and should make for some exciting drinking. South Africa had especially good weather for their white wine grape varietals, particularly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and many South African wineries are reporting 2011 as one of their best years in recent memory.
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world's most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means 'black pine' in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.
Region: Burgundy
There are few more famous wine regions in the world than Burgundy, and this special area has given much to raise the profile of fine French wines around the world. Although most commonly associated with excellent quality red wines made with the Pinot Noir varietal, this region is home to several red and white varietals and produces and impressive range of wines, from still to sparkling, dry to sweet, full bodied and aged, and from to light and drinkable. The region of Burgundy has been producing excellent wines for centuries, with much evidence to suggest that the ancient Gauls were the first to cultivate the native vines which flourish here in the warm summers, and on the excellent soil fed by local rivers. This type of heritage has led to a wine industry highly unique, deeply traditional, and with an exquisite reputation to uphold.
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
The stunning and historic appellations of Cote De Beaune in France date back centuries, and are a vitally important center for the fine French wine industry. Located in the southern half of the Cote d'Or, Cote De Beaune is widely renowned for producing what are said to be some of the finest white wines in the world. Indeed, the Chardonnay grapes which flourish in the beautiful climatic conditions of Cote De Beaune ripen fully after the hot summers, and contain an impressive array of flavors and aromas, as well as many of the best features of the superb terroir they grow on. Pinot Noir is the region's other key grape varietal, and the red wines of Cote De Beaune are also considered to be of a very high quality indeed.