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Super bowl, French style….0

I was for the Saints, the remaining of my family for the Colts. My friends at the party were split 50/50. One thing we all agree on was what to drink.

Menu:Lucky Bucket lager beer to start, Guigal Hermitage 1999, Duckhorn Merlot 2006 and Louis Jadot Nuits Saint Georges 2001.

WOW! I tell you. They were amazing.

The Guigal had a 90 points from Robert Parker and 93 points from the Wine Spectator. It was perfect to drink. It started just to have this dust flavor that every aged wine have in general. The color was purple to brown and reminded me more of a Bordeaux. We drank it in a Riedel glass, and the aromas were changing and evoluting every seconds. Black fruits, a hint of guava and full earthiness. A beauty.

The Duckorn Merlot got a 90 points from Parker, 92 points from the Wine Enthusiast. That was a big change from the Hermitage. Powerful American (14.5% alcohol) it had plenty of fruits forward, with an almost total black color. With a very ripe tannin, this wine was full of red fruits and spices. An absolute beauty, but a glass of it is almost enough.

I bought the Nuits Saint Georges 7 years ago and decided to forget about it. Well, what a nice surprise to discover it again. It had a deep color with ripe and quite strong red fruits and toasted bread flavors. This Côte de Nuits had the perfect age. Its spices and tannins were dancing in perfect harmony. (I am very happy, I have 5 bottles left in my cellar.)

It was a very nice Super Bowl, and great wines in honor of the Saints!

Cedric Fichepain

Owner of Le Voltaire Restaurant and WineInStock.com

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Hidden treasures…on the bottom selves.1

One of my big pleasure when I go back to France to visit my family, is to walk around a big supermarket like Carrefour or Auchan. Why?

As a restaurant tour, I enjoyed visiting ”Le Boucher”  for all their diverse meat, “Le poissonier” for its fresh fish off the boat less than 12 hours ago, or “le Boulanger” for the mouthwatering smell of bread at the bakery. But there is also the wine area who can take sometime more than 3 aisles. This is a Mecca for me, where you can find everything you want at any budget. But I find most of my thrills checking the bottom of the shelves where cheaper wines are located. I am looking for wines who have been awarded medals at different fairs (Concours General). They can come from every regions in France. Not all of them are great, but you can find some great buys for less than 3 Euros. Those wines are more affordable because they are coming from little producers who not spend their capital in marketing dollars.

Wine is a Institution in France, we drink everyday a glass with our meal. We need affordable and tasty wine for our daily consumption! Next time you are in France, be adventurous! I gave you the map for this hidden treasurers. On you way out, pick up some unknown cheese as well and a nice crusty baguette. You will be in heaven for less than 6 Euros!

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