Description
From: Côteaux-du-Giennois, Loire Valley, France
Varietals: 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Gamay
Tasting Notes: Redcurrant, strawberry, and raspberry lead on the nose, which comes into focus as fragrances of crushed chalk, wildflowers, zesty tangerine, and light hints of spice make themselves known. These red fruits remain present on the palate, which reveals notes of wet river stones, tangerine pith, and tart peach. This rosé is incredibly fresh and lithe on the finish: perfect for the beautiful days (“beaux jours”) to come in spring and summer.
Pairing: This wine makes us crave a meal that combines fresh flavors and with a touch of richness. For example, the salt and pepper tofu from Green Tree with a side of green beans. Other options include prosciutto-wrapped melon, deep fried wontons, shrimp fried rice, grilled fish or chicken, or melted goat cheese on crostinis with bacon and spinach. Thinking so much about this wine has also made us crave this recipe for Carrot Tart With Ricotta and Feta by Sue Li.
About Domaine Emile Balland, from Bonhomie Imports.
Emile Balland is a tall man. Perhaps it’s seeing the world from such a physically elevated position that allows him to take the long view when it comes to his vineyards and winemaking. Standing at the top of his steep 0.8 hectare vineyard in Sancerre, looking out onto the rest of the appellation, you get a feeling of exhilaration from the beauty of the view. Or maybe it’s just being out of breath. While Emile ran up this slope in steady, long strides, the rest of us trudged up behind him huffing and puffing. Cecille, Emile’s wife, just shook her head and laughed at the good-natured show off she married.
The far sighted approach that Emile takes in the vines manifests itself in meticulous work, and respect for biodiversity and the organic life of the soil. Only natural treatments are used when necessary as Emile believes that healthy soil is crucial in the transference of terroir to the finished wines.
The estate was founded in 2000 and is comprised of around 9 hectares total: 1 in Sancerre and 8 in the Côteaux du Giennois. Emile’s holdings in the Giennois lie within the villages of Bonny-sur-Loire and Beaulieu-sur-Loire where the vineyards rise gently from the banks of the Loire. From these calcareous soils, with sub-strata of silex and clay, come the wines Emile calls “Les Beaux Jours.” The ‘Beaux Jours’ white—which we also sell here at Champion—is entirely Sauvignon Blanc, while the red (and this rosé) of the same label are juicy blends of Pinot Noir and Gamay.