Winery: Champagne Pinot Chevauchet. Decanter World Wine Awards 2015 - Bronze Medal.
Vineyard in the heart of Champagne country, fruit harvested by hand to ensure the highest standard of quality, wine aged at least five years in its cellars. Take a break from the classic brands and dive into "La Généreuse", a genuine artisanal champagne that critics are raving about (Revue du Vin de France, the Bettane & Desseauve Guide, etc.). This Brut Nature champagne lives up to its name: what it lacks in sugar, it makes up for in finesse. Once you try this exceptional elixir, you'll never look at champagne the same way again! Three different vintages (2008/2007/2006) were combined in this coupage, where the Chardonnay plays a supporting role (10%) to the dominant Pinot Meunier (90%).
The absence of dosage (a reserve wine mixed with pure cane sugar, usually added just before corking) allows the wine's intrinsic qualities to shine through: the nose is a burst of floral aromas and hawthorn with the Burgundy notes contributed by the Chardonnay. The mouthfeel is a perfect balance of mineral and fruity flavours. Surprise your guests by serving it with a delicious plate of oysters or other fresh seafood.
Craftsman: Truffe&Co.
For a Christmas appetizer, the black truffle could not be missing in our Christmas gourmet hamper... Simple but deliciously fragrant, these peanuts are obviously crunchy and terribly addictive: don't forget to share with your guests...
Craftsman: Le Médaillon Corrézien, Farmhouse of André Ourcet and Catherine Le Clanche.
Met by chance during the preparation of one of our French gourmet hamper, we had already been able to verify that André is not only a specialist in the enhancement of fattened duck but also a lover of taste.
Respectful of the environment and of tradition, he makes sure that his productions are as close as possible to what nature gives him: without artifice (no chemical flavouring, no nitrite salt, no preservatives and no antioxidants), just enhanced with a touch of Sichuan pepper, it is a delicious foie gras which magnifies the premium ingredients he uses with a delicate know-how.
A true artisanal foie gras perfectly made. A must-try for Foie-gras lovers!
Artisan: Délices Décadol
Anchored in Champagne, our craftsman makes exceptional products with champagne as the main ingredients of course... Without colouring, flavouring or preservatives, this Champagne “confit” (close to an elegant mermelade) is a real delight and will accompany your home-made foie gras and other delicacies you will find in your Christmas hamper in a very refined way. A "Coup de coeur" of La Gourmet Box!
Artisan: Biscuiterie Apiflor.
We made our way to a village called Madic, on the border between the départements of Cantal and Corrèze, where we met an artisan who makes delicious organic traditional biscuits in bronze moulds. Genuine Cantal AOC cheese is added to the biscuit dough for a truly unique flavour. Ideal for nibbling with a glass of wine from your gourmet box—a crisp gourmet treat! Serving suggestion: to bring out the full flavour of these biscuits, bake them in the oven 2-3 minutes before serving.
Artisan : Le Comptoir du Fougeray. / Epicure 2018 awards, Bronze medal
Rillettes, a 100% French delicacy, is a savoury spread similar to pâté but with a coarser, meatier texture topped by a protective film of lard. The all-natural product we chose was made the old-fashioned way: shredded poulard (from the best breeding farms awarded with the “label Rouge” certification) is emulsified in its own juices in a cast iron pot for more than 15 hours and seasoned with black truffles from Périgord.
Serve it spread on toast to experience all the rich nuances of its delectable flavour. A truly unique and delicious recipe to enhance a gourmet hors d’oeuvres feast.
Artisan: Le Médaillon Corrézien, Exploitation fermière d'André Ourcet et Catherine Le Clanche.
Pulled duck (effilé de canard) is meat taken exclusively from the duck’s neck. Intensely flavourful and very lean, this meat is cooked for hours with no added fat to obtain a highly nutritious food product. And in this recipe, the citrus “disguise” really brings out its amazing taste and texture.
It’s no wonder this gourmet treat won the gold medal in the spreads category at the 2015 National Epicure Competition
Artisan: Le Temps des Mets.
Here's a gourmet spread that will quickly become a must for your aperitifs! The cream of artichoke with white summer truffle is delicious to spread on toast or lightly toasted brioches. You will find in this melting texture the elegant taste of the artichoke, enhanced by the white summer truffle that subtly diffuses its flavors. A real treat for foodies!
Artisan: Maison Patignac.
The all-natural product we chose was made the old-fashioned way: shredded duck (raised by the artisans) is emulsified in its own juices for hours and seasoned with salt and pepper. When it get colder, our artisan just add some piece of foie-gras.
Just a must-try ! Serve it spread on toast to experience all the rich nuances of its delectable flavour.
Chocolate-maker: La Chocolatterie.
Of course for Christmas, an extra gourmet and chocolate touch is essential... But we didn't want to put just any chocolate. And we found... the rare gem! This chocolate is a pure marvel, because in addition to being organic and fair trade (almost unique in the world of chocolate!), the work our craftsman does is truly remarkable. You may not know it, but an artisan chocolate maker who roasts, crushes and refines the cocoa bean himself to elaborate his own chocolate - which is the case of our craftsman - is more than rare, even practically unique in the field of chocolate making, even if it is handmade... Here our chocolate maker has succeeded in integrating with great talent the dried fruit and the touch of cinnamon which makes this Christmas chocolate simply unique. A gourmet crush for Christmas!
Artisan: L'Attelier de Clisson.
At this small shop in Guérande, a town in southwest France famed for its butter and salt, every product is made using traditional methods and all-natural local ingredients. Nuts are the common denominator in every recipe, but they add sugar, caramel, spices or condiments to create a wide range of flavours and textures. For our box we chose organic caramelized cashew nuts seasoned with Kâmpôt pepper for their originality (a change from the more conventional cashews), surprising taste (the pepper-sweet contrast is outstanding) and super-extra-crunchy texture. These sinfully delicious morsels are too tempting to resist.
At La Gourmet Box, we're all about thoughtful details, which is why we've tucked some surprises among these delicious products to make your feast of French delicacies truly memorable!
