From: Bugey, France
Varietals: 80% Chardonnay, 20% Roussette (also known as Altesse)
Tasting Notes: Aromas of white flowers, peach, and pear meet poached apple and toast, nicely balanced by a saline spritz of ocean spray. The palate shows off notes of green pear, chamomile, and linden. Refreshing citrus and saline notes wrap this pet-nat up in an altogether pleasurable finish; its saline minerality already calls for another sip, another glass.
Pairing: This wine’s fresh fruit and salinity make it an extremely versatile pairing partner. It’s wonderful oyster and seafood wine, but it would also be great with spring pastas, savory tarts, and fresh salads garnished with pear and roasted nuts. We’re sharing the following recipe, inspired by our craving for salty/cheesy snacks upon opening this bottle to do this tasting note.
Cacio e Pepe Cheese Puffs
Recipe from Ina Garten, adapted by Julia Moskin
About. Bugey lies on the line between Lyon and Geneva in the foothills of the alps. It has Savoie to the east (a diverse collection of mountainous areas approaching the Swiss border), the Jura to the north, Burgundy to the west, and the Rhone to the south. Bugey is technically its own separate growing area, but it’s historically been affiliated with Burgundy and is sometimes thought of as an extension of the close-by Savoie. Although grapes have been grown here since Roman times, Bugey-Cerdon was only granted AOC status in 2009.
The wines of this area have been getting more attention recently, but the economic climate was not always so favorable. So it was that the Lingot, Martin, and Bolliet families joined forces in 1970 to ensure their continued production of Cerdon. They were joined in 2006 by the Guillon family, all under the name Lingot Martin. Today, the associated winemakers have wisely added value to the 47 hectares of vineyards they cultivate (with HVE sustainability certification) in the heart of Bugey-Cerdon.
This NV Domaine Lingot-Martin Pet-Nat Brut Zéro is a is a white, lightly sparkling wine made from Chardonnay (80%) and the native indigenous grape, Roussette (20%): a slight departure from the sparkling rosé of Gamay and sometimes Poulsard that Bugey/Bugey-Cerdon is best known for. Both Chardonnay and Roussette are counted amongst the multiple white varietals planted throughout Bugey and the neighboring Savoie.
