Sirius is the brightest star in the universe, so it is not too surprising that Maison Sichel has named a selection of its award-winning Bordeaux wines by that title.

Maison Sichel has been in the wine business in Bordeaux since 1883 and along the way has acquired some very prestigious chateaux, including that of the Grand Cru, Chateau Palmer. Their wines are world renown and always of the highest quality. So, to find that they are now producing a very modestly priced Bordeaux made up of the blends of the traditional grape varieties prominent in that appellation makes the availability of a good bottle of Bordeaux in a reasonable price range very appealing.

That Chateau Palmer, which will always be their premier wine, is unchallenged in quality but is now in the $150 to $200 price range, far beyond what most of us can afford. Sichel holds other wine properties, including that of Chateau d’Angludet and others that are regularly in the $40-60 price range. They are highly regarded by wine connoisseurs but, once again, are in such a price range that many cannot afford them even when they are available. To put the same loving care, attention to quality and vinification techniques into a more modestly priced Bordeaux is a boon for wine lovers around the world. Sirius has become Maison Sichel’s flagship wine in their effort to remind us just how good wines from Bordeaux really are, and at a price we can readily afford.

The red Sirius is a blend of 55 percent Merlot and 45 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and as such is supple in character, complex yet still fruity, and dense but still light on the palate. It is truly a wine of great elegance, finesse and true to the character of the region. This is the perfect wine for meat dishes but is soft enough to enjoy with light pasta or roast chicken dishes.
The white Sirius is a blend of 62 percent Semillon and 38 percent Sauvignon Blanc. This makes it the favorite to serve with appetizers, fish, and light pasta dishes. It, too, displays an elegance and finesse characteristic of many of the far more expensive white Bordeaux wines on the market.

The larger portion of Semillon is in contrast with many other white wines of the region and results in a softer, fruitier wine with fewer of the high-acid characteristics of a wine made with greater amount of Sauvignon Blanc. This wine has become a favorite in many wine bars across the country where its popularity when sold by the glass outshines many Chardonnays that had previously been more popular.

They also produce a rosé Sirius, but that is not currently available in our area; maybe later this year in summertime.

Even though the Euro-dollar exchange rate is unfavorable at this time, the staff of Maison Sichel has kept the price of their Sirius line of wines down to former levels as a way to introduce us to the new wines being produced. Priced well under $15 per bottle, Sirius becomes one of the current best buys on many wine lists. Try a Sirius bottle of wine; you’ll remember why French wines have always been some of the best made, easiest to drink, and pair wonderfully with food. Get Sirius!

Dave Ethridge is a nationally known wine writer, certified wine judge, and the Director of the Lapeer Chapter of Tasters Guild International.

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