FLEUR DE LUZE 2009

Description & Press Reviews:
Wine Style:  Dry White

Fleur de Luze is a a lovely, lively, fresh and fruity white wine from Maison A. de Luze et Fils, who have been pioneers in the wine trade since 1820.  Maison de Luze was founded by Baron Alfred de Luze, Grand Duke of Hessen. Baron Alfred de Luze came from a noble Saintonge family which is a small region on the Atlantic coast of France within the département Charente-Maritime. The Saintonge region is famous for its production of the grapes that are used to produce Cognac and Pineau des Charentes.

Fleur de Luze is a clear, crystalline pale gold colour with a very clean citrus, lychee, and mango bouquet. It has a long, fruity after taste which follows through with a slight hint of ripe grapefruit and a refreshingly slight touch of fizz.

It can be enjoyed as an aperitif or with a seafood platter, Mediterranean prawns or grilled fish such as shad on a barbecue,  trout, or scampi. Fleur de Luze is terrific with appetizers such as Mezze, Tapas and Dim Sum.    It's also great with Thai cuisine and  cheese - try it with a fondue!  It's best served well-chilled at around 9°-10°C.

Recommended Food and Wine Pairing:
Fleur de Luze would be the perfect pairing for fish soups such as Bouillabaisse – try it with Perard Fish Soup (Soup de Poisson Perard) – enjoy with croutons and rouille.

Tara O'Leary - Wine Passionista
My top wines of the tasting were the Champagne Barnaut Seconde-Collard Blanc de Noirs Brut NV which is priced at an absolute bargain for the complexity and structure and the Fleur de Luze, 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux, that lacked arrow-sharp acidity and had a lovely crisp, light personality alongside exciting depth of character.

Andrew Barrow - Spittoon
Who ever makes scampi at home?  A dish one may assume is now relegated to certain "family" restaurants and frozen ready meals.  Of course the home-made version is leagues ahead of any ready-meal.  

The inspiration for a little home deep-frying was a recommendation by Bordeaux Undiscovered in the press pack they supplied with a few samples. The match, Scampi with Tartare Sauce and this Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc was sensational and highly recommended.

Wine Tasting Note: Fleur de Luze, 2007, Bordeaux, France:  Fresh, light, gently grassy, lemony and refreshing. Hints of lime, grapefruit, apple and just a smidge of orange.

And simply THE best match for scampi - or in my case deep-fried, breaded prawns. Even handling the spiky tartare sauce wth aplom. Not being as forcefull as, say,a New Zealand, Sauvignon or as minerally as one for the Loire this, relativey simple, Bordeaux blanc seemed perfectly matched.

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