June 5th saw a fantastic culmination to a trilogy of on-line tutored tastings of French wines. The first two parts were held on May 22nd and May 28th.

Following an introduction from Bailli Helen Sunderland, Bailliage member Julian White (Vice-Conseiller Gastronomique Honoraire) of Julian White Agencies guided us through a tasting of some very special niche domaines.

Julian White Agencies specialises in fine French wines for the consumer as well as the wine trade. Julian set up the wine business in 1990 after 12 years in the wholesale and distribution sectors. Today, the Agencies has several châteaux and domaines which it exclusively represents in the United Kingdom.

The wines:

Pouilly-Fumé - Domaine Cédrick Bardin
Fleurie ‘Le Vivier’ - Domaine Jean-Paul Dubost
Brouilly ‘Vieilles Vignes’ - Domaine Tracot de J-P Dubost

Champagne Philippe Brugnon Premier Cru (Rilly) Brut NV
Champagne Jean Oger Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru (Oger) Extra Brut NV
Champagne Georges Vesselle Grand Cru (Bouzy) Extra Brut NV - without dosage

Chablis ‘Vieilles Vignes’ - Domaine Raoul Gautherin & Fils
Pernand-Vergelesses - Domaine Coste-Caumartin
Chassagne-Montrachet - Domaine Vincent Bachelet

Julian White is the Ambassador in the United Kingdom of the Confrérie du Sabre d'Or. The art of sabrage is the removal of the cork from the bottle of champagne using a sabre to cut off the top of the bottle. The tradition dates back to the Napoleonic Wars. Julian is also a consultant to The Oxford Wine Company.

Elizabeth Tee
Vice-Chargée de Presse