France
Let’s visit France and find some unique wines. Down in the South-France, Vermentino (or Rolle) is grown with much success where it is likened to, and often blended with, Sauvignon Blanc. We will look at 2 examples. Then we dive into a fine unoaked Chardonnay from the town of Chablis. For reds we look into the South of France, at the grape Cinsault (sounds like Sin-So). This grape is a work horse in the Southern Rhone, Chateauneuf Du Pape, and Langudoc Region. Let’s again, look at 2 examples. Then to The Loire for A dark red, sparkling, and all-natural: Gamay. So Tastey!
We will See you in Humble Vine on Wednesday September 5th. 4pm-8pm.
Le Ballon, Whte, Pays d’Oc France 2017, $11
THIs cool wine is half Vermentino, and half Sauvignon Blanc from the Southwest of France. Light citrus nose. Medium body, high acidity, big citrus, grapefruit, cumquat, and pear. Finishes clean and smooth.
16 Laguerre EOS, Roussillon France 2016, $16
From 30% Grenache Blanc, 40% Maccabeo and 30% Rolle (Vermentino) grown on granite soils in Eric's high-altitude organic vineyards. The increased percentages of Maccabeo and Rolle have made this lovely wine even more distinctive, showing subtle aromas of dried pear, hay, citrus, herbs and stone. The palate is refreshing and clean with pear, citrus peel, almond, thyme and stone flavors, very crisp and dry and with nice density and length.
Gautheron, Chablis, France 2015, $24
Alain Gautheron is the fifth generation to cultivate vines in Fleys, a village of 160 inhabitants, in Chablis. Steely and mineral driven, this Chablis displays lots of focus and crisp acidity with floral, cool-climate orchard fruit, and citrus flavors. There is great depth of flavor to the wines combined with ample body and richness, balancing the sharp acidity perfectly.
Le Ballon, Red, Pays d’Oc France, 2016, $12
Cinsault/Grenache blends are made up of two important grape varieties from southern France and are vinified as either red or rosé wines. The two varieties have much in common; both Grenache and Cinsault are lighter bodied.
C&J Greico, Cinsault, Rhone France, 2016 $17
An exceptional wine from very old Cinsault vines just next to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, it is in a sense a "declassified" Chateauneuf-du-Pape, except that it is made entirely from Cinsault. The fruit character is exceptionally dark, sleek and pure -- quite intense, though not heavy, and kept lively with a balanced acidity. It would be a treat with anything grilled.
Domaine Patrice Colin, “Perles Rouges” Sparkling Gamay, France $19
This is a red pét-nat wine made using the old sparkling method in which the wine is given its first and only fermentation in bottle. It's a simple method that produces large bubbles. It is stalky with acidity and a smoky character that contrasts with red fruits. The aftertaste is crisp and fresh.