Crozes-Hermitage wines have that rare form of elegance that enables them to enhance those special moments. Whether they are intimate and romantic or social and festive occasions, all of them share the same sincerity. With the indulgent crunchiness of Syrah from the beautiful Rhone terraces lending a helping hand and making you want to live life to the full, Paris is a willing ally. Provided, that is, you keep in mind these few words by singer Georges Brassens – “the best wines are the ones we drink with friends” – which just about sums up the spirit of Crozes-Hermitage.
François-Xavier Demaison
“I am nuts about wine!”
The Parisian comedian loves to seek out some authentic wine growers and characterful wines in cellar door shops along the Rhone Valley, where he also stumbles across some great stories.
His good nature exudes an aura that stays in the air like a whiff of perfume and spreads undeniable joie de vivre. After studying both at Sciences-Po and the (more befitting) Cours Florent drama school before taking to the stage, Demaison starred in the film about the famed French comedian Coluche. At no point though, did he forget to nurture his passion for wine for guys. “I have been nuts about wine since I was seventeen! Since then, my palate has become increasingly inquisitive”.
In the same way that some people scour the antique shops, François-Xavier Demaison visits wine growers, chats and tastes with them, and brings his finds back to Paris to share them with his mates. “When you introduce a wine to someone, it’s like saying “I love you!”” he exclaims, glass in hand and excitement written all over his face. With uncontrived emotion, he recalls past memories, often set in the Rhone valley, whose powerful wines strike a real chord with him.
“I drink them whenever I can”, he adds with a twinkle in his eye. “To strike up a conversation, there is nothing like a trustworthy wine that draws us into life’s virtuous circle. As the whole point is not to disappoint, it is better to make the right choices!” The generosity and genuine simplicity of Crozes-Hermitage wines are a definite ally, as are the bonds which prompt François-Xavier to text his friends the names of some real finds.
Standing as a declaration of his love for genuine wines by wine growers imbued with passion, the ‘Sommelier’ sketch reflects the sensitive, profound man he is, someone who knows the real meaning of sharing. Anyone who whips out his smartphone to show you the bottles of wine he has drunk over the past few days as others would show you photos of their children on the beach has got to be worthy of trust.
“Crozes-Hermitage wines make you want to kiss people”
Former film editor and bistro chef Elodie Cadiou opened her own wine shop – ‘Et si Bacchus était une femme’ (What if Bacchus were a woman) – in 2012. She certainly isn’t making any bones about where she stands!
Why did you choose this particular name for your shop?
When women taste wine, they express their feelings whereas men have a more technical approach and look for faults. Personally, I have a very animalistic relationship with wine. I get a gut feeling for the wines I choose. For me, wine is firstly about smell, stories and discoveries.
You list several Crozes-Hermitage wines. What do you like about them?
I like their really fruity, velvety side and their wonderful freshness. They offer up both softness and exuberance and a crunchy, intense edge. They’re wines that make you want to kiss people.
Really?
Let me tell you a little story. When I was working at L’Alcazar, one day a couple of madly in love forty somethings came in. They asked me to choose the wine. I sought some inspiration and chose a Crozes-Hermitage laden with fruit and sensuality. The minute they tried it, they were delighted and wanted to know why I chose it. I waited until the meal was over to tell them: “When I saw you, I thought about this wine because it makes you want to kiss people”. They burst out laughing and thanked me.
Et si Bacchus était une femme – 119, rue Monge – Paris 5e
Text: Marc Médevielle
Delicious snacks
On bistro bars or in the plush setting of a delicatessen, elaborate nibbles and glasses of wine make uninhibited bedfellows.
The club sandwich, made with lobster in the more upmarket venues, is making a come-back. Tapas are making a splash in neighbourhood bistros and five-star hotel bars alike. Bruschetta come with a vast choice of toppings. There is no denying it – snacks are rapidly gaining traction, but not at the expense of enjoyment! Fresh ingredients and precise flavours have become the Holy Grail for gourmet bloggers and savvy columnists.
“Aside from the taste, the main thing is having a story to tell”, agree most of the fashionable bistro and delicatessen owners, and there’s nothing like going back to basics to find one. Hence, the trend for burgers made from Aubrac beef, Spanish cured hams, bottarga and soy sauces made by boutique producers. All of them are regional foods offering disorientated consumers perturbed by the uncertainties of the times some trustworthy points of reference. Wines with deep-rooted traditions are tapping into the same trend particularly when, like Crozes-Hermitage, they have freed themselves from the shackles of convention.
Meat gets its own back!
Meat lovers are rebelling and celebrating the vibrant come-back of meat on our plates, with a dash of insolence.
At a time when fruit, vegetables and milk products are the only topic of conversation, meat is getting its own back! From red to white, from extreme-aged five-year old beef to milk-fed veal and tender salt-meadow lamb from the Bourbonnais, Poitou, Pyrenees, Provence or elsewhere, not forgetting the ‘Pig King’ which is making a marked come-back, duck breasts and all types of poultry led by roast chicken, gourmet food lovers are having a ball.
Some good meat and a glass of red wine perk you up and boost your morale. From elaborate pigeon in bread cases to the simplest of beef burgers, meat has the ability to suit all budgets, all occasions and all tastes. And it pairs superbly with good red wines, with Crozes-Hermitage leading the way.
“Young or powerful red Crozes-Hermitage makes the perfect partner for every type of meat”.
