Domaine Saint Germain Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains 2020

Domaine Saint Germain Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains 2020

Domaine Saint Germain is based in the southern part of Bourgogne around the Mâconnais and focuses on environmentally friendly, increasingly organic viticulture, working mainly with Chardonnay, Gamay, Pinot Noir and Aligoté to produce fresh, easy‑drinking regional wines. Their Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains 2020 is a light red built on Gamay with Pinot Noir, at about 12.5% ABV, showing bright red‑fruit aromas of cherry and berries with a touch of kirsch, a juicy, refreshing palate and very soft tannins, ideal slightly chilled as an everyday table wine.

Vinification & Style
This Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains comes from France, Bourgogne, under the AOP Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains, and is a classic Burgundy red blend of roughly 65% Gamay and 35% Pinot Noir, from vines averaging around 30 years of age on clay‑limestone soils. The vineyards are farmed with an eco‑friendly approach, using high‑density planting and grass between rows, with mechanical harvesting followed by careful sorting and destemming at the winery. Winemaking involves a short pre‑fermentation maceration, then temperature‑controlled fermentation of about a week with daily pump‑overs to extract colour and aroma, followed by a few months’ maturation in stainless steel before bottling to preserve lightness, freshness and fruit‑driven character; the 2020 sits at roughly 12.5% ABV and is best enjoyed young to capture its lively fruit.

Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright cherry‑red to ruby, quite translucent with pale pink edges, typical of a light Burgundy red.

Nose: Fresh red cherries, red berries and raspberries, with hints of kirsch, a touch of gamey / underbrush character, damp leaves and gentle spice and floral notes, giving a lively, inviting bouquet.

Palate: Light to medium body, very juicy and refreshing, driven by crunchy red fruit; acidity is crisp, and tannins are extremely fine and soft, making the wine very easy‑drinking. The mid‑palate brings a little cherry liqueur, delicate spice and light herbal notes, with a clean, simple structure focused on fruit and freshness.

Finish: Short to medium finish with lingering red fruit, subtle spice and a gentle hint of gamey / earthy notes, finishing dry and moreish.

Serving & Pairing
Decanting: No long decant needed; open and serve, or give it about 15 minutes in the glass.
Serving temperature: 11–14°C; a light chill enhances its freshness.

Food pairing (HK‑friendly)

• Cold cuts / snacks: Ham, salami, smoked chicken, cheese boards (Brie, Camembert, young Comté), baguette with pâté or terrine.
• Everyday dishes: Ham‑and‑cheese sandwiches, sausage and mashed potatoes, baked luncheon‑meat and egg rice, pan‑fried chicken steak, pan‑fried pork chops.
• Light meat dishes: Creamy chicken pasta, tomato‑based pasta with mince, braised chicken legs, warm salads with bacon.

Special Info: Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains is a relatively rare Burgundy AOC that mandates co‑fermentation of Gamay and Pinot Noir, with Pinot required to be at least one‑third of the blend and Gamay making up most of the remainder, with small additions of white varieties permitted; the style is typically light‑bodied, fruit‑driven and best drunk young as a classic “vin de soif”. Domaine Saint Germain’s 65% Gamay / 35% Pinot Noir cuvée leans into bright red fruit and kirsch notes, making it an excellent option for casual drinking and parties.

Origin: France, Bourgogne, AOP Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Approx. 65% Gamay, 35% Pinot Noir
ABV: 12.5%
Volume: 750ml