Sue and Peter were our hosts this month and treated us to wines they experienced whilst on holiday in Southwest France ...
The Wines
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Lambrusco di Sobara Vecchia Modena 20166 Hedley Wright 11% |
For those of us who are old enough the Lambrusco grape made cheap fruit juice with alcohol. This is rather different. Lambrusco di Sobara is a change from prosecco (now a bit overpriced for something that’s carbonated in a vat) and cava (which isn’t). It’s a bit dearer but it is a bottle-fermented wine Goes with fatty or grilled foods and pizza. |
£14.99 This is a top of the range one. On-line prices vary from £9 to £15 |
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La Gascogne D’Alain Brumac Gros Manseng & Sauvignon Blanc 2016 Hedley Wright 12% |
Sauvignon blanc is originally from SW France but now everyone grows it. Gros Manseng has a noble history and is also from SW France but has stayed there. This blend is unusual. ‘Sauvignon brings floral notes while Manseng brings length, freshness and balance.’ It comes from the midi-Pyrenees Goes with buttery and salty foods. |
£10.99 Can be cheaper on-line |
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Domaine de Bosc Viognier 2017 Wine Society 13% |
Situated in the Hérault department in southern France’s Languedoc region, Domaine du Bosc is not far from the beautiful seaside resort Cap d’Agde. It is a winemaking region steeped in history: Agde has actually been home to vines since the 5th century BC. This long winemaking history has been attributed to Agde’s port, which meant that, unlike those in many areas of France, growers were able to export their wines to various Mediterranean countries from very early on. Viognier is the only permitted grape for Condrieu Good with spicy food |
£6.75 |
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Cave de Castelmaure Blanc Paysanne Corbieres Blanc 2016 Wine Society 13% |
The co-operative Cave de Castelmaure was founded in the 1920s, and today consists of 65 members, 15 of whom are responsible for around 85% of the company’s output. This exemplary southern French co-operative's main vocation is red wine but this white, made mostly from grenache blanc, is a star: straightforward, rounded, fruity and utterly delightful. Good with fish and shellfish |
£7.25 The 2017 is £7.50 |
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Fugeron Dubois Merlot Hedley Wright 13% |
Merlot is a red wine grape variety with strong historic ties to Bordeaux and the southwest of France. It is the predominant variety in most wines from St Emilion and Pomerol the area in which the variety originated. Merlot is often described as producing ‘soft’ wines because it ripens early and is not very tannic. This wine comes from the Chateau Canet cooperative of vignerons in the village of Rustique in the Languedoc. Merlot pairs well with chicken and other light meats as well as lightly-spiced dark meats. |
£7.99 |
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Chateau Noaillac Medoc 2012 Hedley Wright 13% |
A splendid Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon-Petit Verdot blend from the famed left bank Bordeaux region of Medoc. Beautiful ruby colour, opaque at the core and fading at the very edge. Nose is classic Medoc. Cool red and black fruits, cherry, cedar, some leather. The palate is smooth with a lovely fine fruit line through the core. Medium finish which evolves a very chalky aspect with air. Made by Xavier and Damien Pages. This gold-winning Cru Bourgeois red wine from Chateau Noaillac pairs beautifully with red meats. |
£15.99 |
