Humans are deeply sentimental creatures. This has been the case for millennia. It is evidenced by the number of personal artifacts buried together with human remains, from the Stone Age to the Ancient Egyptians to the present day. We keep letters, photos, scrapbooks of all the special moments and places.
We hold on to useless and sometimes ugly objects because they remind us of a certain person or special experience. Notably, my grandmother tells the story of how she cut off a piece of the tie my grandfather wore to their first date to stick into her journal. Of course no mention is made of what my grandfather thought about the destruction of his tie. But unsurprisingly, the sentimental gene was passed down the maternal line to me, which is partly why I’m so fond of La Brune wines.
La Brune Pinot Noir is the wine that my partner and I drank on our first date. I found out later that he agonized for ages over which wine to choose, knowing only that I preferred a ‘light red’ and that I had some wine knowledge. As it turns out, he chose well, and we have both enjoyed the La Brune Pinot Noir ever since, grabbing a bottle for special occasions and whenever we see it for a good price.
It is made in the Elgin Valley by winemaker Nico Grobler and his wife. They focus specifically on Pinot Noir and it is clear they know a thing or two. With its high altitude and cooler climate, Elgin is perfect for a lighter style red. Easy drinking like a white wine but full-bodied like a red wine, The Valley Pinot Noir really is the best of both worlds.
My partner and I were delighted when we recently stopped in Greenpoint to dash into Giovannis and happened to make a detour into the Ultra Liquors where spied a La Brune Chardonnay on the shelf. We didn’t even know it existed. We promptly bought a bottle and were not disappointed.
Spontaneously fermented with 80% of the fermentation taking place in stainless steel tanks, it is then oaked for 10 months in second, third, and fourth fill French oak barrels. This results in a wine that is delightfully buttery but not overpowering and fresh without being sharp.
I am seriously considering trying to get my hands on a few cases to have on hand for dinners and day-trips. My advice would be to keep your eye on Nico Grobler – I am keen to see what he tries his hand at next. In the meantime, give La Brune The Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay a whirl.
Drink responsibly. Not for sale to persons under the age of 18.