March 8, 2019

DOMAINE CHIGNARD “Les Moriers” Fleurie Beaujolais 2016

(Beaujolais, France) $26

Recently my old friend Kevin Zraly and I debated whether great cru Beaujolais could be the wine of the future. (He thinks so). I’m less convinced … unless most cru Beaujolais becomes as extraordinary as this dynamite Chignard Fleurie—a wild phantasmagorical swirling energy field of fruit and minerals. Outrageously floridly juicy and yet savory and complex at the same time, this is a serious wine (at the terrific price of $26). And like all of the top cru Beaujolais, it’s born in rocky granitic soils. Some wines completely upend your assumptions. This wine changed mine. (Ok Kevin, score one; but we’re not done yet). (12.5% abv)

92 points KM

Available at Vivino.com

Liebfraumilch is the name of a white grape from Germany used to make semi-sweet wine.

Answer: False.

Liebfraubmilch is a style of German semi-sweet white wine that can come from the Pfalz, Rheinhessen, or Nahe regions (and from the Rheingau too although today, real estate there is too value for much if any Liebfraumilch to be produced). The grapes typically used in the blend are silvaner, müller-thurgau, and kerner. Some producers also use riesling. In the U.S., Blue Nun was one of the most well-known producers of the wine (although Blue Nun no longer produces Liebfraumilch). Liebfraumilch wines have been perceived as low quality, even though they are classified as Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete (QbA). The name Liebfraumilch by the way means, “milk of Our Blessed Lady.”

“I’ll Have the Special, Thanks”

So there you are—staring at a menu item that reads “Prawns Human Taste” (ah: Hunan Taste?) According to Atlas Obscura’s fantastic piece, “Why Menu Translations Go Terribly Wrong,” these aren’t just typos. Translating the names… Continue reading

DOMAINE CHIGNARD “Les Moriers” Fleurie Beaujolais 2016

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