During October, we will be celebrating all the delicious wine that comes from France. You won't want to miss all the French we have for you this month. And we are kicking it off with a French Case of the Month!

This case features many of the Portland Bottle Shop's favorite French wines that we try to keep on the shelves year-round. Through these wines, you'll visit many of the country's classic regions, as well as a handful of great growing areas that are a bit more off the beaten path. 

In October's Case of the Month, you get (1) sparkling, (3) whites, (1) rose, and (7) reds for $188. That's a saving of $46! 

We hope you enjoy the selections!  

Sparkling

(Jura) Jean Bourdy Cremant du Jura, $24
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay

Notes: The Bourdy family has been making the same wine in the same location in eastern France for over 400 years (!), and all of it is simply delicious. This sparkling bottle is remarkable for the price- lean, crisp, flavorful, with clean bubbles and a delightful yellow apple palate. 

Whites

(Loire) 2019 Arnaud Lambert ‘Clos de Midi’ Saumur Blanc, $21
Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc 

Notes: Nice fruit-driven white from the Loire valley. Tangy green apple and tropical fruit notes, nice textured mouthfeel, zippy acidity. 

(Savoie) 2019 Domaine de L’Idylle, $15
Grapes: 100% Jaquere

Notes: Easy going French white. Balanced minerality and acidity, solidly medium-bodied, stellar wine for everyday meals. 

(Menetou-Salon, Pouilly-Fumé, and Sancerre) 2019 Patient Cottat ‘Le Grand Caillou’, $16 
Grapes: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Notes: The Cottat family has been making delicious wines in the Loire valley for almost 100 years. This bottle is a mix of Sauvignon Blanc grapes from the region - but at stylistically - you're getting a Sancerre for half the price! Flinty minerality, the fragrance of wet granite, and nice citrus zest in the finish. 

Rose

(Pays d’Oc) 2019 Domaine Montrose Rose, $13
Grapes: Blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah

Notes: This wine has an elegant balance of a round mouthfeel and freshness in the finish, red berries and lemon peel citrus.

Reds

(Montagne Saint-Emilion) 2015 Chateau de Grandchamp, $21
Grapes: Blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon

Notes: Rich and dense Merlot driven red from Bordeaux. The wine is aromatically intense and very well-balanced on the palate with clean fruit flavors, nice structure, and a mineral finish.

(Vacqueyras) 2018 Domaine Burle Vacqueyras, $21
Grapes: Blend of Grenache and Syrah

Notes: Phenomenally unique red from the Cote du Rhone. This wine is masculine in character- bold, intensely structured, funky fragrances. Rich, dark fruited, and spicy.  

(Cahors) 2016 Chateau Pineraie Cahors, $16
Grapes: 100% Malbec

Notes: Intense berry fruit with plum, blackberry and lots of spice. Generous potpourri fragrance adds a fun complexity, which is balanced by gentle tannins.

(Brouilly) 2018 Chateau Thivin ‘Reverdon’, $30
Grapes: 100% Gamay

Notes: Lush red and blue fruit tones, forest herbs, and a touch of old world funk. A great wine to pair with roasted poultry or pork chops! 

(Cotes du Rhone) 2017 Chateau de Saint Cosme ‘Les Deux Albion’, $21
Grapes: Blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Clairette

Notes: Château de Saint Cosme is the leading estate of Gigondas and produces the appellation's benchmark wines. The property has been in the hands of the Barruol family since 1570. The wine combines depth, structure, and finesses with roasted meats, olive, crushed plum, and black currants with aroma and flavors.

(Saumur) 2018 Melaric ‘Tandem’, $20
Grapes: Blend of Cabernet Franc and Grolleau

Notes: Organic and biodynamic farming. This is bright and earthy table wine, with some pepper, vivid raspberry, sour cherry and cranberry – crisp, fresh and super clean on the palate.

(Gaillac) 2017 Domaine de Brin ‘Vendemmia’, $16
Grapes: Blend of Duras and Braucol

Notes: Juicy dark blue and black fruit, earthy aromas, excellent tannic structure, and surprisingly pleasant acidity. Enjoyable esoteric wine from Northeastern France!!

And now for our Weekly Wine Recommendations

New Arrivals and Staff Picks 

2019, Cuvee Jean Paul Gascone Blanc de Blanc, $11
Grapes: Blend of Ungi Blanc and Columbard 

Notes: Light and zippy white blend from southern France. This wine has a nice tangy lime-ade mouthfeel. Great value bottle!

2019, Casal Garcia Vinho Verde, $9
Grapes: Blend of Trajadura, Loureiro, Pederna, and Azal

Notes: Another highly recommended value wine this week! Fun and easy going, lightly effervescent Portuguese white. Superb brunchy wine. Great on its own, or as a mixer over ice with a splash of Gin and squeeze of lemon...if that's your thing. 

2016 Tornatore Etna Rosso, $32
Grapes: Nerello Mascalese

Notes: One of the best Italian wines we have tried in the past couple of years, from a classic producer from Mount Etna in Sicily. We recommend decanting or popping the bottle a few hours before enjoying to let the wine open up to its potential. This bottle has a rustic, ferric, and ashy fragrance, with lean white peppery tones on the palate. Delicious.

Geek of the Week 

2019 Podere Il Soliceto ‘Albone’ Lambrusco di Modena, $23
Grapes: 100% Lambrusco Salamino

Notes: Super cool sparkling red wine from central Italy. Serve nicely chilled and enjoy anytime as a unique aperitif; intensely earthy and spicy aromas, dark spicy plum on the palate.

Want to get this month’s case or the weekly wine recommendations delivered right to your door?

Email your wine and beer orders to info@pdxbottleshop.com and let us know the style and price point you are looking for by Thursday night at 5 pm. We will bring it right to your doorstep on Friday! There is a $5 delivery charge within 5 miles of the shop.