Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
The pod cast – The wine list
episode 4.0
The French Laundry
★★★
Yountville
The French Laundry: A Culinary Gem with an Exquisite Wine and Champagne Selection
The French Laundry, located in the picturesque town of Yountville, California, is one of the world’s most revered fine-dining establishments. Owned and operated by Chef Thomas Keller, this three-Michelin-starred restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience with meticulous attention to detail in both cuisine and ambiance.
‘From its inception, The French Laundry has not only been celebrated for its tasting menus and seasonal ingredients but also for its impressive wine program, which includes one of the most remarkable Champagne selections in the country.’
History and Philosophy of The French Laundry
Opened in 1994, The French Laundry quickly gained a reputation for its culinary innovation, earning accolades and a loyal following from food critics and gourmands alike. Chef Keller’s philosophy of “a sense of place” is at the heart of the restaurant, which focuses on highlighting the beauty and simplicity of seasonal ingredients from both Napa Valley and the surrounding regions. The restaurant’s name comes from its original use in the 1900s as a French steam laundry, lending an element of local history to its current grandeur.
‘The French Laundry’s wine list complements the philosophy of the menu.’
The wine team carefully curates selections to reflect a harmony with the dishes, showcasing wines from Napa Valley, California, and beyond. The Champagne offerings, in particular, have become a major highlight, celebrated by connoisseurs for their rare, premium selections.
The Wine List: A Curated Global Collection
The French Laundry’s wine list is extensive, reflecting the restaurant’s global reputation and commitment to excellence. Overseen by a team of sommeliers, the list features an impressive array of wines from renowned regions, including Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Rhône Valley, and Napa Valley. Each wine is chosen with a sense of terroir in mind, emphasizing wines that express the land from which they come. Guests can explore vintages from legendary estates like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Château Pétrus, and Screaming Eagle, as well as a broad selection of other French, Italian, and American wines.
Napa Valley wines naturally have a strong presence on the list, with several local labels highlighting the quality and diversity of wines produced in the region. However, the Champagne list is equally enticing, offering patrons a journey through the Champagne houses of France, with rare bottles and selections from top producers.
Champagne Selection: A Standout Collection
The Champagne program at The French Laundry has become legendary among sparkling wine enthusiasts. Curated to complement the complexity and elegance of Chef Keller’s cuisine, the Champagne list features a diverse selection of vintages, houses, and styles, offering both rare bottles and celebrated classics.
Key Highlights of The French Laundry’s Champagne List:
1. Prestigious Houses and Grand Marques
The list includes top-tier bottles from celebrated Champagne houses such as Dom Pérignon, Krug, Ruinart, and Bollinger. Guests can experience iconic cuvées, from Dom Pérignon’s legendary vintages to Krug’s luxurious Grande Cuvée, all of which pair beautifully with Keller’s refined dishes. The presence of these prestigious houses underscores the restaurant’s commitment to quality and prestige.
2. Rare and Vintage Bottles
In addition to the well-known labels, The French Laundry also offers rare vintage selections, including aged Champagnes that showcase the remarkable aging potential of the region’s finest wines. For example, vintages from houses like Salon and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne provide a unique tasting experience, with complex aromas and flavors that come from decades of maturation. These rare offerings allow guests to explore older vintages not commonly found on standard wine lists.
3. Small Grower Champagnes
Recognizing the growing appreciation for small-producer wines, The French Laundry’s Champagne selection includes offerings from artisanal grower-producers who emphasize organic and biodynamic practices. These Champagnes offer distinct terroir expressions and individuality. Growers like Pierre Péters, Jacques Selosse, and Agrapart bring a more personalized, terroir-focused approach to Champagne, providing an intimate experience of the land and winemaking style unique to each vineyard.
4. Exclusive Cuvees
For discerning guests, The French Laundry’s Champagne list also includes special cuvées crafted exclusively for the restaurant. Such bottles are typically produced in limited quantities and represent the peak of Champagne craftsmanship. Exclusive cuvées elevate the dining experience, as each sip is both a rarity and a pairing masterpiece.
5. Rosé Champagnes
Rosé Champagne offerings are another highlight, showcasing the versatility and depth of Champagne as a category. With their fuller body, complex aromas, and elegant acidity, Rosé Champagnes provide a delightful contrast to traditional Champagnes. Houses like Billecart-Salmon, Louis Roederer, and Krug offer exceptional rosé Champagnes that perfectly match a range of dishes, from light seafood to richer poultry courses.
6. Champagne Pairing Menu
For those wishing to indulge further, The French Laundry also offers curated wine pairings, including an all-Champagne pairing option, showcasing the variety and versatility of Champagne across multiple courses. This option allows diners to explore Champagne’s nuances as they progress through Keller’s tasting menu, enhancing each course with a perfectly matched sparkling wine.
The Experience: Dining with Champagne at The French Laundry
Pairing Champagne with food is both an art and a science, and The French Laundry’s sommelier team excels at creating unforgettable pairings with Keller’s menu. The tasting menu, which often includes dishes like oysters and pearls (a signature Keller creation with tapioca, oysters, and caviar) and exquisitely prepared fish and meat courses, is designed to be enhanced by sparkling wine. The acidity, texture, and flavor profile of Champagne make it a natural choice for dishes rich in umami, seafood, and delicate sauces.
While the restaurant’s tasting menu changes frequently to showcase seasonal ingredients, the Champagne pairings offer a constant anchor of luxury and flavor. Each bottle is chosen with great care, considering the nuances of each course to create harmonious pairings that enhance the dining experience.
The French Laundry’s Commitment to Excellence in Wine and Champagne
The French Laundry’s reputation as a wine and Champagne destination reflects Chef Keller’s commitment to excellence in every aspect of the dining experience. The sommelier team, often regarded as one of the finest in the industry, offers an education in wine with every pour, introducing guests to lesser-known producers, vintages, and styles they may not have encountered before. The presence of older vintages and rare selections speaks to the depth of Keller’s relationships within the wine world, ensuring the restaurant remains a leader in fine wine offerings.
Final Thoughts
For anyone visiting Napa Valley, a meal at The French Laundry is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that promises to delight and surprise. The wine list, with its extensive selection of Champagnes, is an invitation to explore the artistry of sparkling wine at the highest level. From iconic houses to niche grower-producers, the Champagne offerings at The French Laundry provide an unparalleled glimpse into the world of fine wine, expertly paired with some of the best cuisine in the world. The French Laundry remains an essential pilgrimage for anyone with a passion for food and wine, where each glass and each dish combine to create a celebration of craftsmanship, terroir, and the finer things in life.
