Albert Bichot Sparkling
When you want to enjoy a “good wine,” what do you look for? Many wine lovers might think this means the right wine for the price, or occasion.
Others dive straight for their favorite appellation.
Yet some people simply look for a trusted vine-growing family who’s been doing business for more than a century.
Today I will speak to you about the wines of Albert Bichot.
Many people might recognize the meaning behind the slogan “location, location, location.”
Yet it’s possible that today many might think of it just in terms of a recent real estate fad.
However, this was a “mantra” in Burgundy even before the Cistercian monks erected the Clos de Vougeot in 1336, recognizing the micro-terroir of the Burgundy region.
The word ‘clos’ means something like “wall” or a division by rocks to close off a special part of the vineyard.
The tasting took place at the Ammos restaurant, near Times Square. Careful attention had been taken to pair each of the many wines served with a specific course to bring out the true “marriage” between the food and the wine.
Representing the Albert Bichot family was Jim Opalka, president of Albert Bichot USA. And Jen Brady, District Manager NY/NJ.
The first wine to be served during the reception was the Ô de rosé AOP Languedoc from Chateau Lorgeril. The pale pink wine was a refreshing blend of Grenache, Syrah, Viognier.
Other Bichot wines served during the mezze appetizer course included the C’est La Vie Chardonnay 2019 and the Horizon de Bichot Pinot Nor 2019. Both the red and white wines in this course are affordable examples from this classic French Burgundy family estate.
What would you pair with free-range chicken? Red wine? That’s exactly what the Bichot USA team did.
Chateau de Ciffre is an estate in Saint Chinian I recently visited. This is an AOP region famous for its terroir – with good terroir being the backbone of good wine. The other wine was Domaine de la borie blanche from high altitude vines in La Liviniere from Minervois. Both wines were vintage 2019 and blends of Syrah and Grenache.
The third course of fresh white fish brought a prestigious white wine to the table, the Albert Bichot Chassagne-Montrachet 2019.
For this special course, one needs a special wine. The Bichot USA team chose the domaine’s Pommard 1er Cru “Les Rugiens” Domaine du Pavillon. This 2019 vintage was very young, but shows every promise of aging for ten years and much longer.
What’s the best wine with dessert? The Bichot family thinks it’s a sparkler. The Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Rose was served with a mixed dessert … incredibly refreshing and delicious.
It’s not every day in America one can taste a wine whose family traces back to 1214.
Especially one whose coat of arms has not changed in that time.
In 1831, the family founder created a wine trading business in his name in the Burgundian town of Monthélie.
His son, Hippolyte, succeeded him and bought the first vines in Volnay, another, more prestigious village in Burgundy.
Then his son, Albert Bichot, gave the family business new momentum in the late 19th century from Beaune (one of the larger Burgundian cities) in 1912.
In the second half of the 20th century, his four sons, Albert, Bernard, Bénigne and Jean-Marc, inherited this knowledge.
A new era of expansion began with the construction of a large aging cellar, a new bottling center and winery … and so it is today.
Thanks to ancestor Bernard Bichot, every wine lover can enjoy these wines today.
And special thanks to the Bichot USA team for creating such a brilliant food and wine pairing.
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