Christie Kiley on September 29, 2014 0 Comments A new season may be upon us and per the usual, this is often times a good moment to switch up the gastronomical routine. Though this year, I may fear is very different for many of us. In one part of the country, we are cooling off, craving warmer foods and the comforting classics. While in other parts there are many of you who find themselves under some hot weather, some very hot weather. I pray that for those of you in the latter group that there will be relief soon. However, in the meantime, if mother nature does not want to cooperate, you can reach for this wine — Pommery Brut Rose. I had the luck of visiting the Pommery sight in Reims, France not too long ago and a tour of the cellars. If any of you have the opportunity to have a visit on your next trip to Europe, I would suggest it as a nice pit stop. You might have a few moments in waiting for your tour to start. I recommend walking about the room, as it is a bit of a museum with interesting information about Lady Pommery herself, who was an woman to look up to for men and women alike. Not only was she a philanthropist to the local community, but she was one of the first of her time to implement safety regulations to create a safer work environment to the people who made her wine. She was also one of the first to start a pension fund for her workers as well, ensuring they would be able to retire and get through hard times if need be. In this room you will find ‘le Grand Foudre’. This was Pommery’s blending barrel made of about ten different types of wood and is one of the largest wooden blending barrels in the world. It holds 75,000 liters or the equivalent of 100,000 bottles of wine! It was crafted by artist Emile Galle Nancy in 1905. It was created to pay homage to Pommery’s friendly relationship with America. The carving at the head of the barrel notes America with a carving of the Statue of Liberty and an India and France is represented by a young woman offering a glass of Pommery to America. It is spectacular and awe inspiring. The Soils of Pommery France and most of Europe prides themselves on their terroir and how they might be able to represent their unique lands and climates in their wines. Luckily, most of this is represented in the wine in a natural way. The region of Champagne is known for its chalky soils, which characteristics make their way into the wine. Pommery owns many a vineyards in the city of Reims and each vineyard has its very own characteristics. In the Cote des Blancs, the Vitry-le-François, and the Cote de Sezanne, the vines are cultivated in soils of chalk which lies just below the surface. In Montagne de Reims, the vines here are buried in chalk which goes much further down from the surface of the land. In the Marne Valley and the lower mountains about Reims you will have soils completely different consisting of marl, clay, and sand. Each of these unique soils gives each grape a different characteristics from aromas, to flavors to textures. Each Champagne varietal—Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier—and when they come together in the perfect blend, they balance out one another. So here is the wine to satisfy any thirst you might have for the last lingering days of summer. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir with 25% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier. It is beautiful to watch in the glass with fine bubbles that keep a steady stream, reflecting is rosy, salmon color. The perfume reminds me of fresh-picked wild strawberries, kiwi, fresh currants and crisp peaches with some gritty minerality. On the palate, the first sip is instantly refreshing with flavors of red berry fruits; raspberry and more. The bubbles are soft and the perfume lingers just the right amount of time. Make yourself a picnic with some Proscuitto, blue cheese, brie, dried figs and even some slightly aged goat cheese. A lovely wine. More Wine Reviews: Piper Sonoma Brut Roederer Estate Brut Luc Belaire Rare Rosé Cape Bleue Rosé 2012 from Jean-Luc Colombo
