Drink (and think) like a somm
Michael Shaps
Blanc de Franc
Virginia
Monticello
Cabernet Franc 100%
Fresh Peach, Orange Blossom, Almonds, Brioche
Traditional
On lees 12 Months
Approachable, and very expressive. This wine does a great job of presenting flavor after flavor, held up by a perfectly balanced structure with firm, but not overpowering acidity.
Low
Med -
Medium
Med +
High
ABOUT
Michael Shaps 2021 Blanc de Franc
This wine was made in the méthode traditionnelle, a labor intensive process where wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle, creating bubbles. It is made up of 100% Cabernet Franc and was barrel fermented in neutral French oak.
PAIRINGS
IN A PINCH
Charcuterie, soft cheeses with fruit jam.
DEEPER DIVE
Sparkling wine is great because it generally pairs with almost anything, and this wine is no exception. But if we’re going to get specific, it should probably stick to the light to mid end of the pairing spectrum due to its medium body.
Creamy cheeses, and even some fatty dried meats like prosciutto and soppressata are going to be perfect since the acidity can cut right through their richness and refresh the palate.
This wine can definitely stand up to a main course as well, but given its lighter style and bright stone fruit flavors, it’s really going to shine as an apéritif and with appetizers.
STANDOUT FEATURES
- Bright Acidity
- Stone Fruit Flavors
- Soft Mouthfeel
STEAR CLEAR
Anything way too rich like a thick stew might be too much for this wine.
PAIRING SCALE
Light Dishes
Salads
Raw Bar
Med – Dishes
Fatty Fish
Roast Chicken
Med. Dishes
Lean Meats
Rich Poultry
Med + Dishes
Burgers
Fatty Meats
Full Dishes
Stews
Rich Sauces
CHEESE OPTIONS
Brie
Brie
Country: France
Animal: Cow
Type: Soft
Texture: Creamy
Style: Nutty, rich, buttery.
Parmigiano Reggiano
Parmigiano Reggiano
Country: Italy
Animal: Cow
Type: Hard
Texture: Grainy
Style: Salty, sharp, nutty.
Chèvre
Chèvre
Country: France
Animal: Goat
Type: Soft
Texture: Creamy, crumbly
Style: Acidic, salty, tangy
RECIPE IDEAS
SERVICE
WHICH GLASSES?
Flutes and coupes are great for a celebratory feel, but all-purpose is going to be best to get the most out of this wine.
BORDEAUX
BURGUNDY
FLUTE
COUPE
ALL-PURPOSE
WHITE
DESSERT
SHOULD I DECANT THIS?
WHY “Nope”?
No reason for a decanter here, just pour and enjoy.
SERVING TEMP
The correct serving temperature is important to show a wine’s true potential, but don’t stress over getting the temp exactly right. Use the chart below to try to get in the right ballpark.
AGING
WHEN SHOULD I OPEN THIS?
If a wine has been released by the producer, it means it is ready to drink. Wines don’t necessarily get “better” with age, they just change. Typically, this change involves things like losing fresh fruit flavors in exchange for more savory notes.
The moment you should open the bottle depends on your preference, so it’s more important to understand the evolution and the life span of the bottle than it is to try to time its opening perfectly. (It’s far better to open a bottle too early than too late.)
This bottle should probably be opened between:
20
-
20
Development
Year Opened
PRODUCER
1650 Harris Creek Rd
Charlottesville, VA
(434) 296-3438
Open Daily from 11am-5pm
ABOUT US
Founded in 2007, Michael Shaps Wineworks is located in the former Montdomaine Winery, twelve miles south of Charlottesville, Virginia. The original concept was to use the facility for production of the existing Michael Shaps brand of wines, and to produce a second brand called Wineworks, a more value-oriented line of Virginia wines.
Within the first year the opportunity arose to develop Virginia’s first contract winemaking operation–more commonly known as custom crush–to make wine for independent growers who want their own brand. Found in many wine regions around the world, this previously untapped market became a focus for Wineworks.
Between 2008-2014 the customer base grew to over twenty contract winemaking clients and the facility grew in size and capacity, requiring two expansions. Wineworks quickly became a regional leader for contract winemaking, serving clients from Tennessee to Delaware.
Michael ShapsWhen Michael’s founding partner left in 2014, he brought in investors to expand the winery facility to increase production capacity to 30,000 cases of wine and changed the name from Virginia Wineworks to Michael Shaps Wineworks. In 2015 the processing volume reached 430 tons (approximately 28,000 cases) and the 2017 harvest brought in over 500 tons.
OUR VINEYARDS
Our Vineyard sites have been chosen and cultivated with care, thinking about the current vintages as well as future vintages. We believe that great wines start in the field, without great fruit, we cannot achieve great wine.
HONAH LEE
Located in Gordonsville, VA, Honah Lee Vineyard is our primary vineyard site.
WILD MEADOW
Wild Meadow Vineyard has been highly acclaimed as one of the best chardonnay sites in the state.
MICHAEL SHAPS ESTATE
Michael Shaps Estate Vineyard
The Harris Creek Road property has been planted to vineyard since the early 1990s.
Interested in joining our wine club?
Membership Benefits:
- 4 shipments per year: February, May, September, December
- 30% discount on all Wine Club shipments
- 20% discount on all other wine bottle purchases–both online and in tasting rooms
- Complimentary wine tastings for two (limit 2 per membership) at the winery of either Virginia or Burgundy wines, depending on your club each time you visit the winery
- 20% off wine flights at Wineworks Extended each time you visit
- Discounted tickets to many special events
- Access to pre-release & “library” wines not available to the public
- Tickets for two (limit 2 per membership) to the quarterly Wine Club Pickup parties, held in February, May, September, December
