From: Beaujolais, France
Varietal: Gamay
Taste: The production method for L'Amourgandaise combines carbonic maceration and destemming, followed by tank aging, producing a wine rich with raspberry flavors, subtle aniseed hints, and satisfying, “rich yet fresh” fruit. The finish showcases a chalky precision, indicative of the wine's granitic origin, offering a memorable experience for any occasion.
Pairing: You’ve got lots of options with this cheerful wine. We love to keep it simple and prefer jambon et beurre baguettes, but any sandwich that combines or features cold cuts like ham, turkey, chicken, and bacon is a sure win. On that note, charcuterie and fromage boards are easy wins (make sure the fromage isn’t freezing cold and hasn’t been served straight out of the fridge for the best results), as are seared/roasted/smoked salmon or tuna, sausages, and risotto/polenta/corn cakes. Roasted chicken or smoked ham are other easy pairs, and if you’re craving vegetarian fare, go the mushroom or roasted winter veg route (check out the recipe below), and you can’t go wrong.
Roasted Honey Nut Squash and Chickpeas With Hot Honey
By Melissa Clark
About. The 2022 Domaine Les Capreoles L’Amourgandaise reflects the vigneron’s commitment to quality and the unique characteristics of a sunny vintage. This wine embodies the essence of summer 2022, a season marked by hot, dry conditions with timely rains in June that averted drought stress and ensured the tannins matured perfectly.
A Family Journey in Regnié-Durette
Established in July 2014 by Catherine and Cedric Lecareux, an agronomist, and oenologist with a rich background in the wine sector, Domaine Les Capreoles was born from a dream to blend family life with the pursuit of winemaking excellence. Nestled in a property with over 250 years of history, the estate boasts ancient architecture and verdant vineyards across 5.5 hectares. It offers breathtaking views of the village's iconic bell towers, symbolizing a seamless integration of winemaking and family life. Two years later, they bought an additional 2 ha of vines in the nearby village of Lantignié. P.S. If you’re considering visiting the area, they have a bed and breakfast on the estate!
Terroir and Varietal: Gamay on Granite Soils
The vineyards at Domaine Les Capreoles benefit from the distinct terroir of Beaujolais, featuring south-facing slopes with granitic soils. The estate takes advantage of natural soil fractures, which allow for water infiltration and the gradual weathering of granite. This creates a mix of shallow soils with surface stones and deeper, sandier soils, providing an ideal setting for the Gamay grape. This delicate and nuanced grape variety thrives in low fertility soils, echoing the qualities of its ancestors, Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc, through careful yield management.
Winemaking: A Philosophy of Respect and Excellence
Central to Domaine Les Capreoles' approach is the belief in the importance of exceptional grapes for producing exceptional wines. This ethos guides every practice in their viticulture and winemaking process, from soil management and pruning to observing vine needs. Embracing organic farming reflects their dedication to environmental stewardship, aiming to enhance biodiversity, preserve natural resources, and maintain soil vitality.
L'Amourgandaise: A Celebration of Gourmandise
The 2022 L'Amourgandaise is crafted to highlight the "gourmandise" that the Gamay grape can exhibit. Harvested from the terroir of Lantignié, the wine presents a pure and crystalline fruit essence, enveloped in finesse and approachability. Inspired by a creative anagram from Cedric's daughter (essentially, amour and gourmand together), Margot, L'Amourgandaise represents the joy and enthusiasm of sharing, reflecting the core values of the Domaine Les Capreoles family.