Open that Bottle Night
Angelica Nohra
Wine Importer | Wine List Consultant | Speaker
Around, it has come again.
It’s time to Open That Bottle.
You know what “that” bottle is right?
It’s THAT bottle you’ve been hiding away. THAT bottle you have kept for the special occasion that hasn’t come. It’s THAT bottle you don’t take to the house of someone you know doesn’t appreciate it as much as you do!
Tonight can be that night. Tonight is a night that ends in Y and that’s WHY you should just open THAT bottle. Life is too short, don’t die wondering! Now is your chance….
If you are anything like me, it won’t just be one bottle, it’ll be a whole night affair with plenty of good food, good laughs and good booze!
Need some inspiration? Here is what I’ll be drinking on Open That Bottle Night.
Sparkling
ALWAYS start with a good bottle of bubbles! Tonight, I’ll be drinking a Champagne Lombard 2008 Brut Nature Grand Cru
Everyone is talking about 2008 in Champagne but I'm LOVING Brut Nature Champagne at the moment. To me, it's how you can really taste the terroir of the region while seeing the winemakers ability to create something really different and interesting. This wine has been barrel aged before secondary ferment in bottle so it's rich while holding all that incredible acidity you expect from Champagne. I’ll use any excuse to open a bottle!
White
Marrenon "Inventa" Les Vallons Vermentino/Grenache Blanc AOC Luberon
I could not be more obsessed with a range other than the Inventa range right now. These experimental/single vineyard wines are really something special. I'm probably on a bit of a French "Terroir" mission right now but to be able to taste wines from one or two sights, from different aspects, to see how sunlight and soil play a part, it's really something special. This wine is lees stirred, it's barrel aged...it's had all the work yet it still tastes lively and fresh.
The nose is intense with lively caramelized apple notes with subtle and soft smoked aromas. The first taste reveals a lovely softness. The mouth reveals a balanced texture with wonderful quince and fruit jelly flavour.
This cuvée is noble and powerful.
J de Villebois "Le Monts Damnes" Sancerre Blanc
It was very cool being able to visit Sancerre and see La Côte des Monts Damnés in the flesh. It's is a very steep south and south-west facing slope in Chavignol composed of Kimmeridgian marl (a soil made up of fossilised seashells and clay). This terroir gives roundness, deepness and a great longevity to the wines. It’s one of the best plots in Sancerre and since the 11th century, noblemen fought over its ownership! Romantic right?
You havent tasted Sauv Blanc until you've tasted this.... thats all i'm saying.
Rosé
I love an unctuous rosé. Something rich and ripe, great with food but also just super tasty. This wine is Attractive, the bottle is gorgeous, the colour is soft and brilliant. It's aroma is intense with white roses and jasmine but showing pink peppercorn and a bit of jalapeño spice. It's medium-bodied, interesting, a unique gift & overall, just tasty.
Red
I actually don't know where to start with this one... I have so many incredible red wines in my cellar... However, whilst I'd consider opening a Poggio Scudieri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG or a Le Cret de Bine Cuvée du Francois barrel aged Gamay, I think it's best to stick to these big boys to see how they are looking.Andeluna “Pasionado” Cuatro Cepas (Argentine Bordeaux Blend)
This is a wine that takes A LOT of time to age. Only 2000 bottles are made and it truly is a representation of the best work the Argentinians can do. Aged in New oak, full of tannin yet smooth and silky. Delicious. I also love the Cab Franc in this range. It's SUCH an underrated Red Wine.
Well, this wine won Syrah Du Monde (Best Syrah in the World) for a reason. It’s big and voluptuous, well balanced with acid and tannin and is a true delight to drink.
So Cheers, enjoy your amazing vino and let me know what you'll be opening tonight in the comments below!