Drink
At Fish&Pips we are firm believers that delicious food and delicious wine go hand in hand. For this reason we spend a great deal of time carefully selecting quality tipples for your stay.
FISH AND PIPS WINES 2012/2013
Fish & Pips works closely with Le Verre Gourmand, a wholesale wine supplier based in the Alps. La Verre Gourmand (LVG) has developed partnerships with producers throughout France and they spend a great deal of time travelling the country carefully handpicking their wines by choosing only what they like. They use mostly independent producers but also work with a few wine cooperatives and merchants who produce and sell their wines with an independent spirit. With the assistance of Sam from Le Verre Gourmand and after trying 46 different wines Holly and Philippa have put together this wine list, trying to get a variety of wines, which we hope you will enjoy trying.
Le Verre Gourmand - www.chaletpt.com
WHITE
Rare Vineyards Ugni Blanc 2012
You may not have heard of the Ugni Blanc grape but you've certainly tasted it if you've ever tippled a tot of brandy - it's one of the principal constituents of Cognac. Nowadays, it is mainly used to make some smashing white wines from the southwest of France. This is an uber-refreshing, crisp wine - tangy, lemony and fresh in the same style as Sauvignon Blanc.
Le Versant Chardonnay 2011
Although the Chardonnay grape has fallen out of fashion for many, it remains capable of producing superb wines, whether for drinking as an aperitif or - in particular - at the table. This lovely wine from the Languedoc is a perfect example. It benefits from some oak, yet the wood doesn't dominate and spoil the wine. It is round and rich, with classic buttery Chardonnay flavours complemented by toasty notes and hints of pineapple.
Domaine Guenault Sauvignon de Touraine 2011
A bright but fruity Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley's famous Touraine region, with depth, elegance and a grassy, lemony, elderflower-like freshness. In style, it offers a nod towards the New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, with hints of passion fruit and mango. A great balance of New and Old World. A baby Sancerre meets Marlborough!
Domaine A & M. Quénard Chignin Vieilles Vignes 2012
This wine is made with older vines of the widespread Jacquere grape, grown on the steep west and southwest-facing hillsides south of Chambery. The result is a fresh, charming, elegant wine - something to disprove most people's negative experiences of Savoyard wines. The appley/lemony flavours offer a perfect counter-balance to the acidity you need to cut through the robust local cuisine. It's relatively low in alcohol, too, so not too many headaches from this one...
Chateau Beaumont les Pierrieres
This tangy white Bordeaux blend includes 30% of Semillon alongside 70% Sauvignon Blanc, which makes the wine much rounder and fuller in the mouth than most 100% Sauvignons. It is fermented in barrel, which further adds to the richness and fuller mouth-feel, giving toasy, smoky notes alongside hints of grapefruit and lemon zest.
ROSE
Petit Pont Rose Reserve 2012
For refreshing, pale, dry, yet crisply fruity rose, look no further than Le Petit Pont from the south of France. It is delightfully fresh and zingy on the palate, with bright red fruits (redcurrants, raspberries) lighting things up. It is seriously thirst-quenching stuff - all you need is bowl of olives (and probably another bottle…)
FIZZ
Pierre Courtrat
A pale wine, this bubbly is nice and soft, with a fruity bouquet (ripe apples and pears) and crisp, refreshing acidity on the palate. Lively in attack, it evolves gracefully across the palate with nice aromatic persistence in the mouth and lingering notes of fresh peaches and pear.
Champagne Beaumont des Crayeres 'Grande Reserve'
This Champagne from near Epernay has a rich golden yellow colour and fine bubbles. A blend of all three Champagne grapes (Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir), it offers a fruity, well-rounded bouquet, with apple, citrus and pineapple complementing aromas of freshly baked bread. It’s not unlike Bollinger in style, being quite rich and round on the palate, though with a lively freshness underpinning it. Brilliant house Champagne.
REDS
Rare Vineyards Malbec 2011
The Argentines have made the Malbec grape a world star, producing soft, supple, velvety wines - a world away from the old-fashioned reds of France's Cahors where the grape traditionally hails from. This Malbec wine from the South of France is very much in the New World style – with lashings of juicy berry fruit with a lovely enveloping smoothness. But it’s less heavy than many Argentine versions, making it a more versatile companion at the table and even an option for a glass or two without food
Manoir Grignon Cabernet Syrah 2011
Rich and velvety, with deep flavours of blackberry and chocolate, this is wine from the South of France that has ‘Made in the New World’ stamped all over it. It is dark and intense, yet immediately accessible and with some lovely sweet vanilla flavours from the oak. Always a very popular choice.
Chateau Michel Cazevieille 2009
This full-bodied red from the Languedoc, produced on a small family-run domaine nestling amongst the foothills of the Cevennes near the village of St Chinian, has a lovely, bright, deep red colour. The nose is dominated by the intensity of red fruit and is enhanced by spicy and wooded notes (partly from spending several months in oak barrels) that bring real complexity to the wine.
Chateau Goumin 2009
Château Goumin is owned by one of the big names of Bordeaux, André Lurton, who releases his wines onto the market only when they are ready to be drunk. The beautifully elegant 2009 is new onto the market and is drinking superbly. The vintage was a ripe one, so there is more fruit than usual here (especially blackcurrant). Made principally from the Merlot grape, with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon for company, it has really soft tannins and a medium weight - perfect for drinking with a piece of steak or a decent plate of charcuterie.
CHAMPAGNE
We source our white and pink champagne from a small, family-run supplier called Mathieu-Gandon. It is simply delicious. You are welcomed to the chalet on your first night with a champagne reception, and should you be celebrating during your holiday the bubbles will flow again.
BEER & SOFT DRINKS
For those who prefer the hops, beer is on tap whenever you feel like it. We also have a selection of soft drinks - Perrier, Orangina, Coca Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite and Tonic.
SPIRITS
We have a supply of Vodka and Gin which you can take off our hands at cost price. If you have any other spirits in mind for your stay, do let us know in advance and we can buy these in for you.
GENEPI
If you like your digestifs then the local Savoie tipple Genepi is definitely worth a try. It will be produced by your host at some point over the course of the week, luckily or unluckily some might say!
Fish&Pips Holidays
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