Thursday November 9th
It's Château Cambon vs Château de Grand Pre in Battle of the Beaujolais!
5-8pm (Last Call 7:45)
Some things just make sense this time of year - you'll leave your house with two different jackets and a light sweater every morning to account for the temperature swings, be accosted by commercial holiday music to the point of sure insanity, and you'll have Beaujolais on the brain. And just like you can count on Tom Waits' Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis to soothe the pain of Michael Bublé's continued crimes on humanity, small producers, committed to old vines, organics and regenerative farming, wash away the taste of the nouveau swill that sullied the name of Beaujolais for years.
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The trailblazing "Gang of Four", who famously advocated for organic farming, biodynamics, and a winemaking philosophy of “nothing added, nothing taken away," set a standard for minimal intervention that has rippled across the wine world. One of those four firebrands? The late Marcel Lapierre who, alongside his wife Marie and fellow natural wine advocate Jean-Claude Chanudet, purchased a small parcel planted in 1914. Despite being designated outside the grand cru status, it held prestige beyond title. Marie and Jean-Claude have continued to expand on Marcel's vision, planting new vines and better understanding the patchwork of soils that make up the Chateau, producing charming wines that reflect the tradition of old-school Beaujolais.
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But great winemaking in Beaujolais has never been limited to big-name producers; a number of tiny, family-run estates have long shared the ethos espoused by Lapierre and his peers. Château de Grand Pré, a family estate located in the communes of Fleurie and Villié-Morgon, have been modern leaders in low-intervention winegrowing since the younger Bertrand generation took over the estate in the '90s. Now, they've distinguished themselves with wines marked by freshness, concentrated complexity, and remarkable sense of place from their 50+ year old vines.
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On Thursday, we'll taste releases from these two estates side by side, one representing an old-school tradition established by a foundational producer, the other a modern expression inspired by and with great respect for it. Gamay Pet Nat, Beaujolais Blanc, Cru and Villages bottlings will all be on display. 'Tis the season - come celebrate!
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Flight of 5 wines for $25 ($15 for club members)
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*No reservations necessary