May 16, 2011 · 5:15 pm
 True story: a customer (RS) came in, assembled her usual suspects on the counter and as she was about to add a few bottles of the 2009 Beaujolais Blanc from Chateau du Basty, turned to me and asked, “so what do you think about this wine?” What a perfect set-up… I replied back, “I like it so much it’s my selection for this weekend’s write-up!” RS has purchased this wine before, so I wanted to know what it was she liked about Basty’s 2009 Beaujolais Blanc. RS answered me with “It’s fresh. I don’t usually like Chardonnay, especially when it’s oaky and sweet, and…icky.” And that is why I too like this wine so much. It’s not that I don’t enjoy an oaky Chard every now and again, but it’s just that the Basty Beaujolais Blanc is the kind of lively snappy white that screams F-R-E-S-H! The Basty Beaujolais Blanc is all stainless steel tank fermented with natural yeasts and does not go through malolactic fermentation. At 12.5% alcohol, this is one refreshing drink of Chardonnay, exhibiting flavors and aromatics of lime blossom, white flowers and lemon peel. I live in a neighborhood where there are lots of mature citrus trees growing; oranges, lemons, pomelos and the like with all their blossoms a bloomin’ this time of year. When the wind picks up, a sweet fragrance fills the air. It’s this ethereal fragrance that I liken to the fruit component of Basty’s ’09 Beaujolais Blanc – citrusy but ever so subtle. For months, we’ve been going berserk over the 2009 red Beaujolais wines from Raousset’s Crus to Basty’s Beaujolais Lantignie, and yet, this Beaujolais Blanc is a revelation. I suppose it stands to reason that when a dream vintage like ’09 comes along like it did in Beaujolais, quality spans the color spectrum. This past January David tasted the 2009 Beaujolais Blanc with Gilles Perroud, the 15th generation proprietor and vigneron of the historic Chateau du Basty. Though demand for white Beaujolais probably does not rank up there with 2008 Lafite Rothschild, David nonetheless knew that our saavy customers who yearn for crisp, clean, vibrant Chardonnay would dig this wine. Unadulterated Chardonnay served up pure. |
| I’m finally coming down from my post-lenten bender, returning to a diet heavy on the veg. I can’t seem to pass on those beet greens, all gritty and earthy. Yum! I think Basty’s 2009 Beaujolais Blanc would take on an interesting earthiness paired with the beet greens. Or how about grilled spring onions in a ginger-y vinaigrette? That could work. Ooooh, a saute of Fava beans with pancetta also would be nice, don’t you think? The possibilities are endless! —Anya Balistreri |
True story: a customer (RS) came in, assembled her usual suspects on the counter and as she was about to add a few bottles of the 2009 Beaujolais Blanc from Chateau du Basty, turned to me and asked, “so what do you think about this wine?” What a perfect set-up… I replied back, “I like it so much it’s my selection for this weekend’s write-up!” RS has purchased this wine before, so I wanted to know what it was she liked about Basty’s 2009 Beaujolais Blanc. RS answered me with “It’s fresh. I don’t usually like Chardonnay, especially when it’s oaky and sweet, and…icky.” And that is why I too like this wine so much. It’s not that I don’t enjoy an oaky Chard every now and again, but it’s just that the Basty Beaujolais Blanc is the kind of lively snappy white that screams F-R-E-S-H! The Basty Beaujolais Blanc is all stainless steel tank fermented with natural yeasts and does not go through malolactic fermentation. At 12.5% alcohol, this is one refreshing drink of Chardonnay, exhibiting flavors and aromatics of lime blossom, white flowers and lemon peel. I live in a neighborhood where there are lots of mature citrus trees growing; oranges, lemons, pomelos and the like with all their blossoms a bloomin’ this time of year. When the wind picks up, a sweet fragrance fills the air. It’s this ethereal fragrance that I liken to the fruit component of Basty’s ’09 Beaujolais Blanc – citrusy but ever so subtle. For months, we’ve been going berserk over the 2009 red Beaujolais wines from Raousset’s Crus to Basty’s Beaujolais Lantignie, and yet, this Beaujolais Blanc is a revelation. I suppose it stands to reason that when a dream vintage like ’09 comes along like it did in Beaujolais, quality spans the color spectrum. This past January David tasted the 2009 Beaujolais Blanc with Gilles Perroud, the 15th generation proprietor and vigneron of the historic Chateau du Basty. Though demand for white Beaujolais probably does not rank up there with 2008 Lafite Rothschild, David nonetheless knew that our saavy customers who yearn for crisp, clean, vibrant Chardonnay would dig this wine. Unadulterated Chardonnay served up pure. 
The Wine House San Francisco 