In the glass
What it pairs with
-
Gigot d'agneau en croûte d'herbes
Herb-crusted lamb echoes the wine's dried-herb aromatic register. -
Pigeon rôti aux lentilles
Gamay's spiced dark-fruit profile suits roasted pigeon with earthy lentils. -
Morbier
Ash-layered Morbier's gentle funk mirrors the natural wine's wild character.
How to serve Brouilly Cuvée Alma Mater
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Gigot d'agneau en croûte d'herbes, Pigeon rôti aux lentilles, Morbier. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Alma Mater ('nourishing mother') is Lapalu's tribute to the deep Brouilly terroir. Sourced from a single clay-granite plot, the cuvée receives longer barrel élevage than the domaine's standard wines.
- 2006 — Alma Mater first released as Lapalu's prestige single-parcel Brouilly
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine Jean-Claude Lapalu
- Grapes
- Gamay
- Classification
- Brouilly AOC
- Oak
- Old barrel élevage 10-12 months, no sulphur
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- €25-35 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-12 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2006
- Biodynamic
- Biodynamic Practicing
- Organic
- ORGANIC CERTIFIED
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Brouilly Cuvée Alma Mater
What does Brouilly Cuvée Alma Mater taste like?
Structurally medium-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Lapalu's cellar-selection Brouilly: deeper and more structured than the Vieilles Vignes, with darker fruit, herbal complexity and a savoury, mineral finish.
When should I drink Brouilly Cuvée Alma Mater?
Drink 3-12 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Brouilly Cuvée Alma Mater?
Gigot d'agneau en croûte d'herbes is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Pigeon rôti aux lentilles and Morbier. Herb-crusted lamb echoes the wine's dried-herb aromatic register.
Is Brouilly Cuvée Alma Mater vegan?
Yes: the producer documents no animal-derived fining agents in production, so the wine is suitable for vegan and vegetarian drinkers.
What grapes are in Brouilly Cuvée Alma Mater?
The blend is Gamay. The wine is classified as Brouilly AOC.