Neuchâtel blanc – Château d’Auvernier 2010

Neuchâtel blanc – Château d’Auvernier 2010

It’s not often you get the chance to try aged Chasselas, but if you ever do, you must. It transforms into something entirely different from its young original state. It becomes more like a Marsanne (a variety found in Valais also known as Hermitage in the Northern Rhone valley of France). As Marsanne ages it often portrays flavours of nuts, honey and quince.

Even though it is four years old this particular wine has begun to evolve into the aged Chasselas style, whereby the slight spritzyness has diminished. However a slight trace still remains. The aromas have become more complex, the colour darker and more intense.

Nose – Kumquats, quince, guava, honeysuckle and brioche.

Palate –A rich, unctuous mouth feel and a slight hint of bitterness that helps give it some freshness.

Food match – Mousse de fois gras, homemade meat loaf, or by itself  – even better to get the full flavour of the wine. Don’t chill it too much as it will not deliver to its full aromatic potential.

Mood match – A pensive, contemplative wine that awakens your senses, gets you thinking and philosophising. So you’ll need to sit down on a comfortable sofa with a raconteur and have a good old yarn. You’ll be a poet before you know it.

The Le News team did some random searching and found this wine available online. You can find it here.

Nina Bobillier is a wine reviewer and guide. nina@lenews.ch