Advice from a wine retailer for the holiday season
The Christmas holidays are just around the corner… It’s time to think about the dishes you plan to prepare and lovely bottles you plan to share! To do so, Vintage met Cédric Chanut, a wine retailer at the Comptoir Saint-André in Bordeaux, who tells us his favourite food and wine pairings.
Starter
2017 Château Carbonnieux
Everybody knows it, Pessac-Léognan produces very fine white wines – among the finest the Bordeaux region has to offer. I particularly love the white wines of Château Carbonnieux. The 2017 vintage boasts wonderful freshness and aromatic complexity ranging from lemon to forest floor, alongside mineral notes. It goes perfectly with oysters and seafood platters.
Main dish
2015 Château Branaire-Ducru
Treat yourself, it’s Christmas! To accompany a meal, I would choose 2015 Château Branaire-Ducru, a magnificent estate which cultivates a certain discretion. Personally, I am a very big fan of the Saint-Julien appellation, which is undoubtedly my favourite on the left bank. Saint-Julien is a silky wine and the epitome of elegance! I would pair this 2015 Branaire-Ducru with poultry stuffed with foie gras and morel mushrooms.
Cheese
2018 Château Chasse-Spleen
For cheese platters, I would choose a “young vintage” by Château Chasse-Spleen, a 2018 for instance. Chasse-Spleen is an estate I sell a lot – just hearing the name of the Château, which means “to chase away the blues” is enough to want to open a bottle! This 2018 vintage is “young” but already fairly opulent. It has an intense bouquet, with lovely red fruit notes and a touch of menthol. It goes marvellously with soft-ripened cheeses.
Dessert
2007 Château de Fargues
I have a great deal of respect for Sauternes – the winegrowers who produce it deserve a huge amount of recognition. I think that a bottle of Sauternes makes a lovely Christmas present. It is a very elegant wine with great sensitivity and the colours are wonderful. For citrus or tropical fruit desserts, I recommend a bottle of 2007 Château de Fargues, which reveals aromas of honey, candied fruit and vanilla.
Thanks to Cédric’s expert advice, your festive season is sure to be filled with fine food and magnificent Bordeaux Great Growths!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!