Bugey - France's Hidden Gem Region

Bugey AOC is a beautiful hilly area located between Savoie, the Jura, Burgundy, and the Rhône wine regions. Bugey, which received it’s appellations status in 2009, has 3 crus. Cerdon is one of them, who only produces sparkling wine. Bugey is a small region with steep, calcareous mountainsides against the western edge of the Alps. The climate is has Alpine, continental, and Mediterranean influences. In La Cueille, one of seven high-altitude hamlets surrounding the historic medieval town of Ponsin, Patrick and Catherine Bottex are sustainably farming their grapes. This blend is 80% Gamay and 20% of the native Poulsard. Their vineyards are on high-altitude slopes, clay-limestone soils above the Ain River which creates a freshness and minerality in the wines. The winemaking method is called “Methode ancestrale.” What does that mean? Unlike Champagne/Traditional Method, the wine first goes through a primary fermentation and is then bottled before all of the residual sugar has converted to alcohol. After going through a secondary fermentation in the bottle for at least two months, the wine is ready for sale.

Patrick Bottex's 'La Cueille' is a beautiful deep rose color. It has a touch of sweetness, medium bright acidity and body, low alcohol which makes it a great summer quaffer. Aromas of violet, rose petal, oak, smoke, mushroom, white flower and raspberry. Flavors of wild strawberry, raspberry, red cherry, rose petal and cranberry,  a little greenness and some pink grapefruit acidity.

Pair it with Thai or Vietnamese cuisine, grilled cheeseburger, hazelnut cookies, strawberry shortcake, Brie or Camembert cheeses.