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.
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 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 Duculty.
This dry-cured farmhouse sausage is a renowned speciality of Lyon, one of the cradles of French gastronomy. It comes in many different sizes and flavours: our box contains the original saucisson sec, but there are also nut, peppercorn, cheese, smoked and other varieties. We chose this particular sausage because it is made the traditional way from fresh pork with no dyes or preservatives. And because it is excellent of course !
Important: like all natural sausages, this product has a long shelf life and will not rot unless you keep it for several years. But it is possible and indeed common to find something called “bloom”, a white or occasionally greenish mould that grows naturally on the sausage casing. This mould is penicillium, from which we derive penicillin, and is found in a variety of food products (such as Roquefort and other blue cheeses). It is perfectly healthy and is even a sign of the sausage’s quality as long as it does not develop an unpleasant odour. The casing is 100% natural and perfectly edible, but we recommend that you remove it before eating to appreciate the full flavour and finesse of this artisanal sausage. Store in the canvas bag included in the gift box and keep it on the bottom shelf of your fridge. Serve in thin slices for a deliciously flavourful appetizer.
Producer: Le Temps des Mets.
This original goat cheese and basil spread is sure to delight your guests, adding colour and flavour to any gourmet moment. Made using artisan methods by a small local producer in Six Fours les Plages, it contains zucchinis, goat cheese, spices and basil: just a delicious mix when served on toasts.
Artisan: Danos Frères.
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 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.
Producer: Les Oréliades.
Since 1982, the family business Les Oréliades, based in the Var town of Salernes, offers a wide variety of Provence's finest gourmet products. All of their recipes, prepared by hand using only local ingredients, are highly original, festive and inspired by tradition. This olive tapenade terrine, with aromas reminiscent of a soft summer breeze, is a savoury blend of black olives, capers and olive oil. We recommend serving it on toast as hors d’oeuvres or the perfect addition to a salad of lettuce, minced onion and caramelized tomato.
Producer: Les Oréliades.
This little jar is packed with the seductive aromas of sunshine and nature. A combination of warm, lively flavours, the main ingredient in this terrine is farigoule, a liqueur distilled from one of the region's most typical herbs: thyme. Ideal for a snack or appetizer.
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.
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.
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!
Superb champagne (I love champagne), superb presentation and delicious hors d'oeuvres: just a must-buy box or a great present for friends.
Cris Gourmet – 8/1/2017
Fantastic gourmet products with a delicious champagne in a beautiful gift box. The perfect present for champagne lovers.