Euan McKay Wine Merchant

Welcome to Gevrey-Chambertin (pic. Euan McKay)

 “Since 1995 we have been scouring eastern France to source her finest Producers. Our goal is to get the best wine on your dining room table at the best price in original condition.”

Bistro Vue Burgundy Dinner

Last night I hosted the annual Burgundy Dinner at Bistro Vue. The evening began very eloquently with a delightful Cremant cocktail laced with a mandarin liqueur as we enjoyed beautifully prepared jambon persillé. Dinners were seated in the fabulously old-world back room at ‘Bistro’ which was at capacity and were presented with some superb Snails in garlic, tomato fondue and herb crust magically set off by Pierre Morey’s divinely taut and textural 2009 Bourgogne blanc.
With gastric juices flowing, the noise level growing, anticipation of Marron bourguignon was realised as the exquisite tails of little cray landed and the sublime aromas of hazel, lime and crackle from Michelot’s 2009 Meursault ‘Clos St Felix’ filled the olfactory. Comments of wonderful poise, balance and flavour were offered from the floor, a brilliant wine indeed which worked perfectly with Marron and the savory and salty flavors in the dish.
The plat principal, the Braised rabbit in mustard sauce was fantastic, albeit a generous serving, perfectly cooked, meaty for rabbit finely judged sauce and green garden peas were a great touch. The 2008 Frédéric Esmonin Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru ‘Lavaux St. Jacques’ was drinking beautifully. Ripe and complex, very inviting and elegant with mineral detail and terrific mid-palate punch. Sommelier Jonathon was flat out pouring extra glasses of the ‘Lavaux’!
The final dish was a triumph, a Chaource soufflé, fennel sorbet and tomato coulis was perfectly light in weight yet packed with complex savoury flavors and worked a treat with another of Burgundy’s top Domaines, the Tollot-Beaut 2008 Savigny-Champ-Chevrey 1er Cru which was fleshy and cherry and gorgeous silky texture, beautifully plush for the vintage.
The home-made soft nougat was a delightful way to finish such a wonderful evening. Bravo Bistro Vue!

Recent Trip, May 2011

My annual visit to my Producers normally takes place in the northern hemisphere springtime. Not for the fine weather or the food or any one event but simply for the wine. The previous vintage has woken from its slumber in barrel and the vintage prior has recovered from its bottle-shock, so judging what I taste gives an accurate and informative picture. In France it is also an advantage to be known, and after 17 visits I have become very well known in France’s famous vinous regions.

For anyone who thinks this is easy work, think again. Try driving 5,999 kilometres in 3 weeks whilst checking in and out of hotels, keeping to time for appointments and speaking French, it’s hard work. But I love it and I love most things French, and a nation that fiercely protects its heritage as France does deserves respect. If you are interested in joining me on one my buying trips you are more than welcome. This is a brilliant opportunity to experience in depth tastings at the top Domaine’s and taking the short cut to the best Resto’s and Bistro’s. Send me an email!

The road to great wine. (pic. Euan McKay)

Driving the autoroutes in France is a pleasure; the quality of theses roads is enormously superior to Australian roads.

It makes for greater fuel and emissions efficiency, not to mention the higher degree of safety.

Not all buying trips accumulate this many k’s but it’s the only way to see all your Growers’ and discover what’s new, including the latest vintage.

New Website

Welcome to the updated EuanMcKay.com.au website. A resource for information, tasting notes, your thoughts, my thoughts – let us know what you think!

We are still fine tuning, so be patient while we finalise the site.

Euan McKay Wine Merchant – shipping the finest French Wine to Australia to 1996.