By Christine Salins.
Champagne Tsarine
With Bastille Day around the corner (14 July), we’re going French this week. We’re also showing you how it’s possible to do that regardless of your budget.
We’re kicking off with a fun range from Aldi, which is guaranteed to please, especially when you see how keenly priced it is.
The So French by La Mule Rose wines are produced for Aldi by François Lurton, whose family has been making wines in the Bordeaux region since 1897. They’re light-hearted wines that look great on the table thanks to their whimsical labels.
At the other end of the spectrum, we’re celebrating with Champagne Tsarine, a relative newcomer to Australia having been launched here just last year. The distinctively beautiful bottle makes it as lovely to look at as it is to drink.
Champagne Tsarine comes from the world’s second oldest Champagne house, Chanoine Freres of Reims. Founded in 1730, the house is led by one of Champagne’s few female winemakers, Isabelle Tellier. The range is available at Dan Murphy’s and selected BSW.
If you’d like to raise a toast to Bastille Day, consider the Alliance Française de Sydney celebrations in The Rocks. They take on a multicultural flavour this year, transporting revellers beyond the borders of France to French-speaking destinations in New Caledonia, Tahiti and West Africa.
There’ll be Créole crepes, Caledonia Colada cocktails, Polynesian dancers, Can Can dancers, Malian guitarist Moussa Diakite and other acts. For tickets, visit www.bastilledaysydney.com.au
So French by La Mule Rose Grenache Sauvignon, $10.99: This easy-drinking white from Aldi is best served chilled. With generous fruit flavours but little in the way of aromas or acidity, it’s a good safe bet at a keen price.
So French by La Mule Rose Grenache Cinsault, $10.99: Mention Rosé Provence and you’re talking my language. This Aldi one is super cheap in comparison to many on the market but holds its head up high with subtle strawberry and musk flavours and a slight smoky creaminess. Made mostly from Grenache Noir and Cinsault, it has a delicate pink colour and floral aromas. Crisp, dry and light with a pleasing softness.
So French by La Mule Rose Grenache Syrah, $10.99: We enjoyed this red blend so much we polished it off without photographing it. It’s another Aldi bargain, quite silky smooth and medium-bodied, with hints of spice which went nicely with cassoulet (see food column).
Tsarine Premium NV, $48.50: This Premium Brut recently won gold at the Berlin Wine Trophy competition, one of the world’s largest and most important competitions. A harmonious blend of Chardonnay, Meunier and Pinot Noir, it is bright and elegant with fine bubbles and lemon, grapefruit, apricot, and brioche notes.
Tsarine Rosé NV, $68.90: Recently winning Gold in the Sakura Japan Women’s Wine Awards, another important competition, the Rosé is powerful yet elegant with strawberry, redcurrant, and blackcurrant notes. Delicately effervescent, it is salmon pink in colour with fresh acidity and a refreshing long finish.
