I remember Andre at my high school. He sat at the back of the Grade 12 Physics classroom. Although I sat next to him, he hardly spoke a
word throughout that semester. Andre sat
quietly at the back of classroom and aced all exams. It took quite a bit of time to get to know
Andre. Looking back, I understood Andre
once I listened to him rather than listening to my own judgement about him.
When I drink one of the cuvées from Catherine and Pierre Breton Bourgueils or Bernard Baudry Chinons, I am transported to the time of
understanding Andre. Both Bourgueils and Chinons are made from 100% Cabernet Franc. It has a strong and silent personality.
“Cabernet Franc needs élevage”, said Pierre Breton when I visited him this January. Pierre likes Bourgueils and Chinons with all meats but he likes them particularly with all games, such as ducks and pheasants. With minimal fruit and scratch tannins wrapped in minerals, the
initiation to Bourgueils and Chinons can be not-so-easy going. Bourgueil
and Chinon want time and
introspection. Once one understands Bourgueil and Chinon, it is a lifetime of love.
