JULIEN ROUGIER: A PASSION FOR WINE

Since then Julien Rougier has never lost his passion for wine, and his fervour and expertise now find their outlet in his specialist wine boutique in Martignas sur Jalle near Bordeaux. He also has a special attachment to the wines of Saint-Emilion: the UNESCO World Heritage status, the patchwork of elite estates, the quality of the wines… Julien is still in thrall to the grandeur of this illustrious appellation. “What’s truly special about Saint-Emilion is the blend of grape varieties. Using more Merlot gives you more finesse and less power, making for an ideal balance. It’s no surprise that the wines of Saint-Emilion are a big hit with the ladies! In the nose the red fruit aromas are irresistible: blackberry, raspberry, cherry…”

One particular experience springs to mind, as Julien has fond memories of the evening that he tasted Cheval Blanc and Ausone in the 1995 vintage… “Having the chance to taste those two Grands Crus Classés on the same day is something I’ll never forget, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

Like all wine-lovers, Julien Rougier has his particular favourites and soft spots, foremost among which is ‘Côte de Baleau’ (Saint-Emilion Grand Cru), an estate he believes expresses perfectly the best qualities of the region. Of course variety is the spice of life, and Julien’s other favourites include Troplong-Mondot, Tertre Roteboeuf, Lysolence and Rol Valentin…

Julien also knows how to appreciate fine cuisine, and from his days as a sommelier he has retained his flair for inventive food-wine pairings – he recommends serving a Saint-Emilion with roast wood pigeon, when the season is right. And he maintains that the greatest taste experiences are still to be found in traditional game dishes and classic roast meats: “The finesse of a good Saint-Emilion will express itself perfectly, as if naturally, when served with grilled meats and game.”

Julien Rougier – La Cave aux Trésors – Martignas-sur-Jalle (Gironde / France)