On the eleventh day of…. the Alternative Majestic 12 Days of Christmas…. I had a look through the Majestic video archive and thought this dish would be a perfect light meal in between Christmas and New Year, matched up with Chablis Jean Bourguignon…

On the fourth day of…. the Alternative Majestic 12 Days of Christmas…. The great Chablis mystery. Hannah from Majestic Macclesfield explains all.

Oh Chardonnay, a grape that causes much controversy wherever you may go. Some love it, some hate it. No it’s not marmite! It’s the grape most associated with Burgundy, its traditional homeland. It has the appeal of winemakers and wine lovers in equal regard. Winemakers appreciate the ease of growing Chardonnay in a range of climates, while drinkers can enjoy a range of styles from firm and steely to the full bodied and buttery. It’s not only grown in Burgundy, other traditional heartlands include Australia, California, Chile and New Zealand.

Chablis is a classic example of an un-oaked Chardonnay. As Chardonnay is generally associated as being oaked, Chablis is often hard to pick out as a Chardonnay! This highlights the versatility of Chardonnay and the wide range of styles attributed to a grape which in the past may have had its reputation unfairly branded by cheaper imports.

From the vast amount of flavours associated with Chardonnay there is always a hint or combination of apple, melon and citrus fruit. The final flavours are determined by the winemaker and surrounding area (terrior), both huge influences in how the wine ends up tasting.

Chardonnay is also the white grape used in Champagne which is generally blended with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. So next time you’re celebrating with a bottle of bubbly, looking across the table thinking “not more chardonnay”! Remember that you’re already drinking some!

My personal favourite at the moment is the Sonoma-Cutrer Coast Chardonnay from California. Full bodied, oaked and quite intense, still very well balanced with peach, nectarine, pineapple and cedar notes. Selling like hot cakes at the moment I don’t expect it to last long!

If you would like to hear more from Sal and the team at Majestic Chalk Farm you can follow them on twitter @majesticcha and see what they are up to on their webpage www.majestic.co.uk/chalkfarm

For all its past fame and riches, Burgundy continues to remain simple, rustic and in stark contrast to the large elegant country estates that litter the Medoc. Burgundy is highly fragmented with the average holding a mere 15 acres. Many believe that this fragmented nature is a double edged sword. On the one hand these very small estates can be regarded as Burgundys’ Achilles heel, providing a huge amount of uncertainty and unpredictability even within one village. This ‘human factor’ simply cannot be predicted. On the flip side however, this fragmentation is what gives Burgundy its humble personality and character, but most importantly the ability to produce some of the most sought after white wines in the world.

The world renowned ‘Le Montrachet’ vineyard is spread across the ‘Mont Rachaz’, loosely translated as the ‘scabby hill’ into both the villages of Chassagne and Puligny, allowing both villages to take this highly regarded suffix as their own. The Puligny Montrachet vines are situated with an ideal exposure to the East, however, as this wine is from one of the 17 Premier Cru Vineyards it has superior location. In this case, Les Perrier vineyard is angled ever so slightly to the South, enabling the evening sun to bathe the vines, creating tougher skins and ultimately a more complex wine.

The 2008 vintage has been recognised as combining an intriguing combination of richness and fresh acidity due to this aforementioned late sunshine and cool breeze. This wine has a strong fresh minerality combined with a complex floral component due to its location in the heart of the village. It is starting to open up nicely and can be drunk immediately, however, it will richly reward cellar time with an increased subtlety and honeyed component coming from the oak. Will drink beautifully on its own or with seafood, light meats and soft cheese.

If you live in Edinburgh a Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Perrieres might just be open to taste at the Edinburgh Leith Walk store on Friday the 5th of August…

If you live anywhere other than Edinburgh find your local store and see what they have open on our monthly Fine Wine Fridays!

Phil and I were pondering, if we were forced to drink wine from only one country in the world which one would it be? Having spent literally seconds pondering Phil blurted out “France“. Argument over. This has got me thinking about the magic that is French wine. Could I lose the excitement and quirkiness of Italian reds for a claret? I love Valpolicella Ripasso, and would miss it, but nothing beats the excitement of pulling the cork on a 10 year old left bank and wondering if the ageing process is ongoing, complete, or, horror of horrors should have been left a further 5 years. The magic of opening that perfectly aged bottle when the tannins and colour have combined to form the oh so perfect sediment. Bordeaux is a special case I hear you cry and I agree, it’s very special.

I will however move on to my favourite grape Pinot Noir. Kiwi Pinots are lovely, as are some excellent examples from across the new world (EQ Pinot Noir being a personal fave), however I couldn’t lose the intellectual and emotional exercise of buying red Burgundy. Choosing the right producer, area, vineyard, vintage are all what makes Burgundy so special and the feeling when you have got it right, when the factors combine to make a truly magical moment in your day are nearly unrivalled. I say nearly because of white Burgundy. Puligny, Meursault, Corton Charlemagne, Ladoix and Chablis. All these names serve to deliver the Chardonnay grape in its most elegant form and give such an exquisite drinking experience, that some would argue, improve ones quality of life. Although the New World have some fantastic Chardonnay (and are certainly cheaper) I would miss the magic that Burgundy brings.

“nothing beats the excitement of pulling the cork on a 10 year old left bank”

When the “big guns” are removed from the argument I thought the search would become more difficult and therefore interesting. New Zealand Sauvignon was mentioned and the Loire suddenly jumped into conversation. Now before a raging argument over New Zealand Sauvignon begins I have a frank admission to make. I like it. It’s fun, fruity and enjoyable. I also love Loire Sauvignon Blanc with Sancerre and Pouilly Fume being world class. However the Loire is more than a hot bed of Sauvginon Blanc. The reds are delicious (Chinon springs to mind) and the sweet wines are wonderful. Western Loire offers seafood friendly whites that are crisp and lean and perfectly match a Fruit Du Mer.

Phil is really excited by German Riesling and I agree they are stunning and offer the drinker an interesting alternative for food-matching as well as being super on their own. However, Alsace offers world class Rieslings (eg. Trimbach) as well as Gewürztraminer that is light and elegant and Pinot Noir that is complex and really different from anywhere else in the world. They might not be fruit forward like Australian Rieslings (who are making serious names for themselves as Rieslings producers) but offer an elegant white wine with a lovely mineral streak. As Phil says “I love Riesling and I always fall back on Alsace”.

Having mentioned Australia brings me to our friend Shiraz. Those big punchy wines that offer fruit and black pepper in abundance are a treat and have transformed the world of wine. Surely France has no match for these staples of the New World. The answer is found in the Rhône where Syrah was born. Artistic license I admit, but it has flourished here and can be found planted throughout the valley. Côtes du Rhône offers simple yet hearty wines for those in love with punchier flavours. Then there is the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a wine that seems to be everyone’s first favourite wine. An exciting blend of up to 13 grapes that can age wonderfully. As for the whites Condrieu is sublime and shows the Viogner grape at its pinnacle. Expensive yes, but worth it, YES!

Even as I write more French wines spring to mind… Beaujolais, Provence Rosé, all the regional varieties… yet more reasons to drink nothing but French wine. Yet all being said, perhaps it was Winston Churchill who summed it up best…

“Remember gentlemen, it is not just France we are fighting for, it’s Champagne!”

If you’d like to hear more musings from Chris, Phil and the rest of the Majestic Sonning team, you can follow them on twitter @majesticsonning or visit their store webpage www.majestic.co.uk/sonning

If, like me, you find that you end up collecting wine faster than you drink it you may have by now amassed quite a cellar full. I only really realised recently exactly how much I have squirreled away when after living in a flat for years with no storage, I moved into a house that could accommodate my wines. Until then I had been keeping them in my parent’s cellar, each bottle kept for a ‘special occasion.’

Upon counting I found that I had over 120 bottles, each one a potential ‘special occasion.’ Over 120 special occasions waiting to happen, but somehow the occasions where never special enough. So here’s my advice, make the wine the occasion! So that’s what I’m doing, quite happily clearing the backlog of wines.

Here are three wines to help you make something special of a rainy April Sunday.

Oeil de Perdrix Rosé NV Champagne

£20*

One of my favourite Champagnes, so much so that we had it at our wedding. Although certainly delicate in style, there is a perfect weight of fruit, developing fine biscuity characteristics as the wine matures.

Bourgogne Chardonnay 2009 Domaine Jomain

£11.99
Buy 2 bottles save £2 = £10.99*

I Love this wine. Jomain are located in the Puligny Montrachet area of Burgundy and the grapes that go into this wine are from younger vines still learning how to produce fine wines. A bright and fruity nose. Toasty oak, a fresh citrus tang and hints of vanilla and flora. The slightly buttery texture on the palate goes on to a long, complex finish.

Rioja Gran Reserva 1982 Viña Muriel

£24.00
Buy 2 bottles save £12 = £18.00*

A real treat to try wines that could be older than the people drinking them. Fully mature now, the wine’s aromas rise almost ethereally from the glass, filling the nose with fragrances of cigar box, cedar and leather. A smooth silky palate of date, prune and cinnamon flavours. Partner with roast lamb, cured ham or Manchego cheese.

For more stories from me and the team at Majestic Leeds follow us on Twitter @majesticlee

*Prices valid until 2nd May 2011.

It was with high expectations that I left Cardiff on the 13th January and headed for London to the Lay and Wheeler Burgundy En Primeur 2009 tasting at Glaziers Hall. Since joining Majestic I’ve been drawn to the wines of Burgundy. Wines from the region have improved vastly over the last decade or so due to an ever growing number of focused and extremely talented producers who, in many cases, have moved towards more biodynamic methods. They have an understanding of viticultural techniques that preserve the purity of the terroir, something so important in a region of such geographical complexity and variation.

The tasting was a great eye opener for me having never attended such an event before. As well as tasting wines from a vintage regarded as notable in a decade of more than a few stand outs, it was a privilege to meet some of the producers who have given Burgundy back its reputation as one of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay regions in the world.

For the Red wines, the Domaine that stood out for me was that of Sylvain Cathiard, in particular the Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts which was rich and full on the nose with exceptional autumn berry character and a perfumed, slightly floral edge. On the palate it was rich and full with good acidity and a lingering finish. For such a young wine the structure and potential was truly surprising.

As for the whites, I thoroughly enjoyed the wines from Chassagne-Montrachet’s Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard, especially the 1er Cru Les Caillerets. Again even in such a young wine the balance between acidity and fruit promised much for anyone that is lucky enough to open a bottle a few years down the line. The nose was fresh with a subtle hint of mint. I was even pleased to try a very pleasant Bourgogne Aligoté from Domaine Michel Bouzereau that although not showing the weighty complexity of other wines that night (as you would expect) was crisp and vibrant and certainly held its own.

Of course there are far too many wines to mention from the evening but the wines I tried from Domaine Philippe Chavy, Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot, and Domaine Jean Grivot all deserve a mention from my point of view. What stayed with me long after the last sample had been poured was that 2009 is indeed a standout vintage for Burgundy, and a true reflection of the quality you should expect from one of the greatest wine producing regions of the world.

Bourgogne Chardonnay 2008 Domaine Jomain
£10.99
Buy 2 bottles Save £4 = £8.99*

A one-off parcel, this Bourgogne blanc comes exclusively from vines bordering the appellation of Puligny-Montrachet imparting a real elegance and minerality to the wine. The Jomains use the ‘lutte raisonné’ approach in the vines that keeps the use of chemical intervention to a minimum. A bright and fruity nose with hints of citrus and flora and a long, complex finish.

Buy this wine

*Price valid until 6 April 2010

Recently of course Majestic acquired the fine wine merchant Lay & Wheeler, which is one of those merchants, and has an admirable portfolio of wines from the top Burgundian producers. With the imminent release of the 2008 vintage, Lay & Wheeler are putting on a superb tasting at the Glaziers Hall in central London on 14th Jan. Many of the producers will be on hand to show their wines, and there are some real treats in store. I went as a customer last year and, like Victor Kiam, was so impressed I bought the company (note to younger readers – ask your parents …).

Tickets are available from the L&W website, or call 0845 330 1855.

The scenery is nothing short of spectacular here on South Island, New Zealand. Marlborough is situated on a wide, flat river valley flanked on one side by the golden Wither Hills and on the other by the green and luscious Richmond range. Being positioned on the same latitude to that of Burgundy in France it experiences abundant sunshine during the day followed by cool nights. This results in a long, slow ripening process which is perfect for growing grapes. Even now after having worked for Majestic for just over 9 years, I feel incredibly fortunate to have been 1of 6 Majestic store managers to have been whisked away to experience some of the best that New Zealand has to offer. Marlborough is infamous for its tropical fruit influenced, herbaceous and pungent Sauvignon Blancs (78% of plantings here) yet there is so much more to be discovered.

Our hosts for the week were John and Jo Stichbury at Jackson Estate who welcomed us at their homestead in the 26°C sunshine when we arrived handing us all a beautifully chilled glass of their Sauvignon Blanc. Just what the doctor ordered after having been travelling for nearly 36 hours! We were to prepare ourselves for a busy week tasting wines and being taken on winery and vineyard tours before the grand finale of the Marlborough Food and Wine Festival on our last day.

Day 1: Villa Maria Winery:
Our first day started with a winery tour at Villa Maria where they have just finished building a vast barrel hall to house their wines. It was here that we sat and tasted a flight of 14 of their wines with winemaker, Jeremy McKenzie. It was eye-opening how many different styles and grape varieties are actually produced in the Marlborough region and by one producer. We tried everything from the Private Bin Sauvignon to their Single Vineyard, to unoaked Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, and the Reserve Cabernet Merlot. After a tasty picnic lunch in their Awatere valley vineyards overlooking the river, we continued our tour of the vineyards and witnessed the chalky soil structure which is so important in ensuring quality fruit production. We ended the day with a barbecue back at the winery watching the sun set from the balcony overlooking the vineyards.

Day 2: Jackson Estate:
Jackson Estate is a family-run winery based in the Wairau valley of Marlborough. It was founded by John and Jo Stichbury in 1988 on the estate cultivated by John’s grandfather since 1912. The huge 140 year old gum tree which adorns the wine labels stands majestically behind the homestead. Our day began with a tasting of Jackson Estate’s wines with Mike Paterson the winemaker. Jackson Estate’s winery is connected to the neighbouring bottling plant by a pipeline which enables the wines to be bottled without needing transportation and allows the wine to be at its optimum freshness. We enjoyed a quick tour of the bottling plant watching it in action before leaving for the coast and the Marlborough Sounds. We travelled out of Blenheim and headed north to Picton where we spent the afternoon out on Queen Charlotte Sound on a luxury launch drinking Jackson Estate wines basking in the sunshine. Never let it be said that tasting wine is hard work! That evening we followed it up with a barbecue dinner at the Stichbury homestead where we were delighted by some of the wines that John has kept in his cellar. This included tasting a 2001 Sauvignon Blanc under screwcap versus one under cork. Where the wine under cork was oxidised and lacked fruit character, the wine under screwcap was still pretty fresh with a rich buttery dimension to it. The screwcap versus cork debate continues but with the evidence we saw, it’s hard to question the screwcap’s advantages.

Day 3: Wither Hills Winery:
Wither Hills Vineyards originally founded by Brent Marris in 1992, are now owned by Lion Nathan. They own 350 hectares of vineyard across the Wairau valley with some vines over 20 years old. They also operate a state-of-the-art-winery and cellar door just outside Blenheim. Their aim is to produce the best premium Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. We felt very much at home when we arrived under a heavily clouded sky and torrential rain at the winery. After a tour of the winery and a Pinot Noir tasting with Nadine the winemaker at the winery, we were then taken out to a sheep farm to participate in a traditional New Zealand experience! The heavens had opened so we had a barbecue lunch in one of the barns of local green-lipped mussels and scallops (a perfect match for their Sauvignon blanc) before being given a sheepdog display, and shearing sheep ourselves! We spent the evening back at the winery where we had a fabulous dinner of monkfish, veal and mascarpone semifreddo by candlelight in the barrel hall surrounded by barrels of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A wine-lovers paradise.

Day 4: Cloudy Bay and The Ned.
Following a tasting held for us by Nick Lane the winemaker at Cloudy Bay, we continued on to the Waihopai valley and met Brent Marris at the entrance to his vineyards. Named after “the Ned” which is the highest peak in the Marlborough region at 909m above sea level. Since leaving Wither Hills, Brent Marris has not been sitting still. A new high-tech modern winery is in the process of being built in the middle of the vineyards. Work to make the vineyard and winery operate with as little impact on the environment as possible has meant that the current vineyard buildings are built into the landscape and have a turfed roof. There is also a pair of falcons who they are encouraging to nest which will reduce the need for nets and bird-scarers. We spent the rest of the afternoon on the river bank in the vineyards where we tasted The Ned wines – Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir and a sumptuous Noble Sauvignon Blanc dessert wine. Much to everyone’s disappointment due to its residual sugar and potential alcohol levels, current EU legislation prevents the Noble Sauvignon Blanc from being imported to the UK.

The remaining 2 days of our visit were much more casual and naturally involved a bit more wine tasting and guzzling more of the amazing seafood Marlborough has to offer. The one thing about our stay in New Zealand that stood out above all was how welcoming and friendly everyone we met was towards us. We immediately were made to feel at home from the moment we arrived and wanted for nothing for the duration of our stay. We were particularly spoilt by the quality of wines we tasted too and struck by the passion behind those that make them. The diversity of wine styles produced goes well beyond the iconic Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough has become infamous for, so it is worth broadening your horizons and trying something new. New Zealand is definitely one country that I for one will be heading back to – if only to sample another chilled glass of Riesling with those delicious green-lipped mussels again!

Recommendation Day 1: Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling: The Riesling vineyards are situated in the Awatere and Wairau valleys to achieve maximum ripeness and freshness. Grapes are gently pressed after being harvested in the cool temperatures of the morning. The wine demonstrates lime, apple and passionfruit abound. A crisp and refreshing slightly off-dry style which is perfect as an aperitif or with lightly spicy foods.

Recommendation Day 2: Jackson Estate Sauvignon Blanc: Grapes are sourced from 12 different vineyard sites for this wine. A short period of ageing on light lees takes place to encourage depth of flavour before blending and bottling. Aromas of tropical fruits, gooseberry and lime prevail, with a herbaceous note and an element of minerality. Crisp and fresh with a balanced acidity and a long finish.

Recommendation Day 3: Fairleigh Estate Chardonnay: If it’s value for money you’re searching for then the Fairleigh Estate range is it. Remaining true to the grape varietal, this Marlborough Chardonnay displays mango, peach, butterscotch and vanilla. It has been hand-picked and barrel fermented to produce a well-balanced and fruit-driven style. Easy-drinking and a great match for risottos or roasted chicken.

Or Wither Hills Pinot Noir: Having undergone 14 months in french oak barriques, this Pinot Noir is still full of ripe black cherries, but with a touch of earthiness and sweet cinnamon spice on the finish. Full-bodied and smooth it is the perfect match to roast NZ lamb or any barbecued meats.

Recommendation Day 4: The Ned Sauvignon Blanc: A wonderfully vibrant Sauvignon Blanc with flavours of gooseberry and passion fruit. It remains elegant however, with a herbal and minerally finish reflecting the terroir of the vineyards and rivalling the quality of a Sancerre.