Who could have predicted that this native of Saint-Lambert, on the South Shore of Montreal, would in a little over ten years carve out a place among the best producers of Chablis?
Turbulent at school, Patrick Piuze decided in the early 1990s to take sommelier courses at Lasalle College with Nick Hamilton. It was there that he discovered his passion for wine. A passion that will push him to take his bundle and discover the art of making wine in South Africa and Australia. Back in Quebec, he made a short jump in the restaurant business at the end of the 1990s by launching with Colombe Saint-Pierre the restaurant Le Pinot Noir, rue Saint-Denis in Montreal.
He left everything in 2000 and took his bundle back to harvest in Burgundy. He will never come back. The Olivier Leflaive house gave it its first chance the following year and installed it in its Chablis winery. Self-taught, rigorous and creative, Patrick will vinify three vintages there while taking advice from Jean-Marie Guffens, talented winemaker from the Verget house who also occupies the facilities. In the summer of 2005, he moved to Jean-Marc Brocard, one of the most important producers of Chablis, where he refined his qualities as a winemaker.
At the dawn of the 2008 harvest, he decided to create a small trading structure with a few partners. This is how the Patrick Piuze signature was born. This is quite a challenge since in reality Patrick does not own a single vine. With his Quebecois friendliness and his talents as a winemaker, he quickly developed a climate of trust with several winegrowers. Ultimately, these partnerships will allow him to access the most beautiful plots of the Chablis vineyard and to buy very high quality grapes.
Today, its portfolio reflects the soul and aromatic palette very typical of Chablis with a range ranging from Chablis village (in ten different terroirs), to grands crus (in six climates) through ten premier crus. Given the reduced quantities and the popularity of wines with enthusiasts around the world, wines are quickly disappearing. Fortunately, we are fortunate in Quebec to be able to get our hands on all the labels it develops.
Finally, know that you will soon be able to appreciate the brand new “Bourgogne blanc” cuvée which should also arrive at the beginning of next year.
Discover the Patrick Piuze style
The “Terroirs de Chablis” cuvée ($ 37.75 – Code SAQ 11180334) is undoubtedly the best way to discover the “style” Patrick Piuze. Made from grapes from two plots with northern exposure and adjoining the Montmains Premier Cru, it is a crystalline wine with refined scents of pear, jasmine and flint. It is an immediately charming wine, easy to pair in the kitchen while being able to be enjoyed as an aperitif.
Proof that Patrick Piuze has more than one string to his bow, he recently started to produce a sparkling wine of impressive quality. Particularly appreciated by Quebecers for its excellent quality / price ratio, the “Non-dosé” cuvée ($ 24.75 – Code SAQ 12999181) is a traditional method developed by the house of Val de Mer, a joint project of Patrick and the house. Moutard Diligent which operates in Champagne and Burgundy. Good to know: the “Non-dosed rosé” should arrive at the SAQ next January.
- Discover the selection of Piuze wines at the SAQ!