Favourite wines

“This brand-new cuvée has been produced from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Gewürztraminer. Although this is an unusual combination, it works very well, with the grape varieties complementing one another. Its aromatic palette is rich and complex, including white fruit such as pear and vineyard peaches, as well as more floral (wild flowers) and spicy (cardamom) notes.  The attack is frank, lively and harmonious in terms of the flavours. In addition to the aromas in the nose, which are confirmed, retronasal olfaction is sustained by the presence of lemony notes (lime, yuzu) and exotic fruit (passion fruit, mango), which awaken the taste buds. This wine has good structure and substance, making it an ideal pairing for a seafood platter or Asian food.”

Zoran Matic is the in-house sommelier at Ruppert (rue Brill, Oberdonven, www.ruppert.lu). He was a finalist in the Best Sommelier of Luxembourg competition (3rd place in 2014 and 2018). 

Price: €15.20 from Ruppert.

“This cuvée was produced from the 2018 grape harvest and consists mainly of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, with a touch of Auxerrois. What we have here is a sparkling wine whose robe is a lovely pale gold with dashes of sliver. Its bubbles are fine and even. Aromas include fresh citrus fruit, hazelnut and breadcrumb with a hint of minerality. This elegant crémant exhibits great finesse and is smooth and creamy in the mouth with good length on the finish. It would be ideal as an aperitif or as a pairing for scallop carpaccio with citrus fruit, grilled sea bream with fennel, or poultry in cream sauce. Actually, there’s no need to serve it with food as its perfect on its own! It’s a real pleasure to drink…”

Thierry Corona, sommelier at “Les Roses” restaurant (Casino 2000 in Mondorf les Bains). President of the Association of European Sommeliers.

Price: €16.80 from the estate (6a, rue des Prés, Remich).

“Alice Hartmann only produces this outstanding Pinot Noir in the best years. I discovered this vintage some time ago and was fortunate enough to repeat the experience two years ago. Once again, it hit me full force – it was like being frozen in time. Its nose is textbook Pinot Noir with kirsch, cloves, etc. Due to very low yields, it has achieved exceptional concentration. Its texture is very smooth with soft tannins and its aromas are complex and persistent. Its lengthy maturation in barrels is perfectly managed – whatever the vintage, there are never any pronounced wood flavours and it can be kept for long periods. As an accompaniment to this wine, which presents no major difficulties in terms of pairing, I would recommend the Clairefontaine’s signature dish – fattened Bresse chicken cooked in a bladder with Albufeira sauce (a reduction of foie gras, cream, port and truffles) served with mashed potatoes and black truffles.  It’s a perfect match!

Julien Codet is the sommelier at Clairefontaine, 9 place Clairefontaine in Luxembourg City.

Price : 30,50 euros (millesime 2018, sold out).

“I appreciate the values embodied by this estate that is currently converting to organic production. Armand Schmit and his sons Nicolas and Mathieu produce vibrant wines. The vines used to make this Riesling benefit from ideal exposure in the heart of the iconic Koeppchen terroir, which gets more sun than the surrounding area. This intense wine is powerful and pure, with a pleasant hint of minerality. It features notes of white fruit (peach, mirabelle plum), herbal tea (verbena) and citrus fruits (lemon, bergamot orange). Due to its perfect structure, it has high laying-down potential easily in excess of ten years. I would happily serve it with lightly seared Arctic char, aubergine, pine oil and savory yoghurt, one of the fine dishes offered by the Villa de Camille et Julien. A wine of such character demands a dish of the same stature, and this one will do just fine! This Riesling is an excellent counterpoint to the mentholated flavours and pine bud oil that brings an unexpected yet extremely interesting dimension to this superb dish.”

Yohan Nguyen, sommelier at the Villa de Camille et Julien, 5 rue de Pulvermühl in Luxembourg City.

Price : 14 euros at the estate

“I love this Riesling, which is both powerful and elegant! Antoine Clasen (editor’s note: CEO of Caves Bernard Massard, which also makes Clos des Rochers) has delivered a wine in my favourite style. I like its expressiveness and its almost saline minerality. This high-class Riesling proves that Groärd is a supreme limestone terroir, with soil capable of producing more supple wines than those grown in countries with shaly soils like Germany. It is meticulously matured in foudres (editor’s note – very large casks). I often say that Groärd is Luxembourg’s answer to Corton, since you have to wait at least ten years to drink these wines. Only then can you begin to appreciate their depth. I recently opened a 2011 vintage, which proved this outstanding laying-down potential beyond any doubt.”

Niels Toase, the 2014 Best Sommelier of Luxembourg, teaches at the Luxembourg School of Hospitality and Tourism in Diekirch.

Price : 30,50 euros (millésime 2017)

By Arnaud Vaingre, La Vinoteca (Corner Côte d’Eich – Rue du Nord, in Luxembourg City).

[Read more…] about Domaine Henri Ruppert, Pinot Noir Barrique 2017