LeRouge&leBlanc | The fourth anthology | Samuel Cogliati

By Samuel Cogliati
in collaboration with Giorgio Fogliani


The French "Great North" is at the heart of this Fourth anthology of Rouge&leBlanc. Alsace and Burgundy take the lead in this volume, united by their northern latitude and unusually linked by the world's most coveted red grape variety: pinot noir.

The most important monograph in this fifth volume (preceded by three "ordinal" issues plus a "special edition") of the Italian saga of the most authoritative independent wine magazine from across the Alps is dedicated to pinot noir in Alsace: a dazzling discovery.
Then, to keep the Alsace and Burgundy territories united, an excellent pair emerges: Sylvie Spielmann and Jean-Claude Rateau, experts respectively on the terroirs of Bergheim and Beaune.
Returning to Burgundy with Rateau, we remain in the Côte d'Or, exploring the vineyards and wines of Claire Naudin, an exceptional interpreter of the Hautes-Côtes.
Finally, a meticulous stylistic investigation of the Grand Cru Ruchottes-Chambertin, through the winemaking hands of Philippe Pacalet, Christophe Roumier, Eric Rousseau, and the Mugneret sisters.

A bit of southern sun concludes the volume: Pierre Bénetière in Côte-Rôtie and Domaine Les Aurelles in Languedoc are delightful revelations.

The Fourth anthology is thematically more orchestrated than others, but we don't lose the taste for an exciting geographical and ampelographic variety, which always reminds us that wine far exceeds simplistic and solely celebrated names.

One of the strengths of the editorial line of Rouge&leBlanc.

In this anthology:
- Alsace Pinot Noir: the surprising discovery of the only regional red
- Alsace: Sylvie Spielmann and the chalky terroir of Bergheim
- Burgundy: Jean-Claude Rateau, 35 years of biodynamics in Beaune
- Burgundy: Claire Naudin and the floral character of the Hautes-Côtes
- Burgundy: Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru, putting local pride to the test
- Midi: Rhône, Côte-Rôtie: the exception of Pierre Bénetière
- Midi: Languedoc: the exciting Domaine Les Aurelles