Château de Pizay Beaujolais Blanc 2018

Purity and precision pervade Château de Pizay’s vibrant 2018 Beaujolais Blanc. This most recent release of Beaujolais Blanc from Château de Pizay sports an eye-catching, sunny, straw-colored robe, but this wine has more than visual appeal going for it. Fresh draughts of spring, apple blossoms, and melon waft from the glass. In the mouth, this Mâcon-style Chardonnay offers delicate floral and fruit flavors infused with a gentle palate-pleasing minerality. Although imbued with the soft, lovely fruit of a first-rate Mâcon-Villages, the 2018 Château de Pizay retains the pinpoint precision of Beaujolais from the appellation’s granite soil, adding vibrancy to the wine’s smooth, palate-cleansing finish. Enjoy this medium-bodied, unoaked Chardonnay moderately chilled (40º-45º F). Anticipated maturity: 2019-2023. Salut!

Château de Pizay’s 2018 Beaujolais Blanc makes a fine companion on its own. Pour a glass and watch it disappear eagerly down the thirsty throat. Yes, this wine has way of disappearing quickly, but that propensity will not afford Château de Pizay’s 2018 Beaujolais Blanc its only rightful place. The 2018 Château de Pizay Beaujolais Blanc provides great companionship to such accompaniments as Almond Crusted Sea Scallops served with chipotle mango cream, arugula salad, and crispy butternut squash. Crispy Shrimp and Oyster Sliders make fine pairings, too. A Buddha Bowl of buckwheat groats, Marcona almonds, beets, peas, roasted radish, heirloom cauliflower, carrots, avocado, hard-boiled egg, and chia seeds in a light tahini dressing provides another exemplary accompaniment. Grilled trout and most flaky white fish also pair nicely. If simple and easy are on the evening’s menu, why not start with freshly cut apples and pears with a selection of creamy goat and cows’ milk cheeses. Bon Appétit!

The majestic Château de Pizay is one of the oldest and most illustrious estates of Beaujolais. It comprises 180 acres of vines from Regnie and Morgon, two of the ten great cru villages of Beaujolais. The oldest records regarding this eminent property date to 1030, and since the 14th century the imposing keep of Château de Pizay has stood atop the foothills of the Beaujolais Mountains of southern Burgundy. For centuries its wines have been admired by legions of connoisseurs and beloved by wine drinkers from far and wide.

Under the dedicated tutelage of Pascal Dufaitre, the estate’s current director, winemaking at Château de Pizay combines tradition with the use of stainless steel, semi carbonic fermentation (a traditional form of whole berry fermentation) and modern temperature control methods to ensure preservation of the fruit and freshness in the wines. And indeed, the hallmarks of Château de Pizay’s splendid offerings are pure fruit flavors, elegance, freshness, and a depth of flavor rarely seen in most other Beaujolais wines. Morgon and Regnie are the estate’s top offerings, but Château de Pizay also produces a delicious Beaujolais Blanc (this month’s feature) from 100% Chardonnay, a wine that measures up to the finest Burgundian Mâcon-Villages.

Today, Château de Pizay is not only one of Beaujolais’s premier wine estates; it is also a luxury hotel with a fine restaurant where guests are able to visit the magnificent old cellars that have hosted many famous banquets. The château and grounds are beautifully maintained, including classic formal 18th century gardens with sculpted hedges.