The barriers are down for a millennial audience to enjoy Old World Wines from France. A new French wine brand – Maison de Grand Esprit – has been launched by Treasury Wine Estates, with a new and sophisticated packaging to appeal to younger wine drinkers. Maison de Grand Esprit showcases the best of French wine regions – Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone and Provence.
Winemaker Sebastien Long — Creating a wine brand to let people know what to expect from France
Maison de Grand Esprit’s consultant winemaker Sebastien Long was at The Saujana recently to launch this brand. “We would like to bring French wines to Asian consumers and let them know what to expect from France.” The wines are contemporary in style but fruit-driven and proudly French.
Maison de Grand Esprit wines — Bordeaux Burgundy, Rhone and Provence all under one House
Sebastien presented the L’Etre Magique and La Mysteriale ranges of wines under Maison De Grand Esprit. We tasted: L’Être Magique Crémant de Bourgogne NV, L’Être Magique Côte de Provence 2016 and L’Être Magique Bordeaux 2015.
Manzo Giapponese con Patate e Spinaci or Wagyu Beef with Spinach and Potato, with the range of Maison de Grand Esprit wines
Then we went on to La Mystèriale Santenay 1er Cru 2015, La Mystèriale Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015 and La Mystèriale Lussac Saint-Émilion 2015.
There was magic indeed at Senja as we started with L’Etre Magique Cremant de Bourgogne NV. “It’s fruity, less dry and less acidic than champagne,” said Sebastien of this sparkling wine from Burgundy, created with chardonnay and bottle fermented. “It has the same quality as champagne. It’s a rounder, fruity wine to match food and enjoy at the beginning of the meal, and also after. ” I liked the soft, creamy mouthfeel of the cremant which was great to drink on its own as well as with food. I can imagine the millenials drinking lots of this.
Mini Caprese con Gamberi Marinati — Buffalo Mozzarella with cherry tomato, marinated prawns
Buffalo Mozzarella with Cherry Tomatoes and Marinated Prawns was served, and L’Etre Magique Cotes de Provence 2016, a rosé, was poured.”Provence is the hub of rosé in France and the world.” It’s a vibrant, fruity rosé, lightly sweet but dry, with strawberry aromas and citrus notes.
La Mysteriale Champagne, Grand Esprit Saint-Estephe and La Mysteriale Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Burgundy is the source of 0.4 per cent of premium wine production in the world. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and some Gamay grapes are grown here. L’Etre Magique Bourgogne 2016 is a blend of 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Gamay. “Fruity, round, with a little sweetness, it goes well with oily fish like trout. It’s sophisticated and easy to drink.”
With the main course — Wagyu Beef with spinach and potato — we were having the La Mystèriale Santenay 1er Cru 2015. The richness and complexity of this premier cru from South Burgundy came through. This region has more sunshine hence it has more spice, is earthy and more fruity. It’s 100% Pinot Noir. “We are not looking at acidity and structure but also fruit. Young winemakers are making wines that can be drunk now, not 10 years later. But they can age for a few more years in the cellar.
L’Etre Magique Bordeaux 2015 is fruit-driven, with not too much tannin. In it are 76 % Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc. “It’s a wine to enjoy and is perfect with wagyu.” Another perfect wine was the La Mysteriale Lussac Saint-Emilion 2015 (70% Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon). Plum and spice dominate ; it has more tannin. While it is ready to drink, it is also meant to age. 2015 was a good vintage in Bordeaux.
Apple Brulee, Bitter Chocolate Sorbet. It matched well with the Chateauneuf-du-Pape
A wine I recognised and loved was the La Mystèriale Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015. This Rhone Valley wine has Grenache (a very generous grape, according to Sebastien), Mourvedre and Syrah in it. A powerful, rich wine with lots of spice, it went surprisingly well with our dessert of Apple Brulee and Bitter Chocolate Sorbet. It can be drunk now but can be aged 5 to 10 years.
We ended with Grand Esprit Saint Estephe 2015, which Sebastien called a top appellation, and which would be even more exceptional in 5 to 10 years.
All the wines are designed for you to discover France and not be scared to pick up a bottle and enjoy them, said Sebastien. They are distributed here by Luen Heng F&B Sdn Bhd.
Visit also: https://www.maisondegrandesprit.com/