One of my favorite pre-dinner aperitif wines is in fact, a mixed drink called a Kir Royale, which I am sure everyone in the world has tried….Champagne and Crème de Cassis. The original drink, the Kir, happens to come from Burgundy, not Champagne. Seems one Canon Kir, one-time deputy Mayor of the area, discovered that the local Aligote grape (the ‘other’ white grape of the area, well behind in quality chardonnay, and too tart and acidic for his taste) was much better with a splash of the other local specialty …..Creme de Cassis, made from blackcurrants.

 A splash of cassis into the Aligote (say ah-LEE go-tay) tamed the acidity and added much needed fruitiness to the wine. Turned out to be his real claim to fame! We are happy to now stock our first Aligote, the 2008 vintage Bourgogne Aligote from Paul Pillot. At $15.99, it is a heck of a lot less than Champagne!

--Shayne Hebert, Wine Supervisor, Central Florida