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September 18, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Summer's End French Value Wines
Any serious student of wine faces an
obligation to learn about French wine because France has set the standards of wine for hundreds of years. France was not the first country in the world to make wine,
as they were preceded by the Greeks and the Romans. France, however, is the world's largest producer of wine,
but more importantly, has historically exported the most wine in the world.
That means that their wines had to be good enough for people in foreign
lands to pay extra to obtain them. This is also the basis for the French AOC regulations being put in place so that each
individual growing area has its own distinct and consistent
characteristics. When French wines were exported, they had to compete with
less expensive local wines, so the French vignerons had to fine the best
possible grape varieties and growing techniques for each specific area.
Over time, they developed the concept of terroir, which is the product of
many factors including soil composition, vineyard orientation, climate,
trellising, and the overall winemaking regimen. Eventually, each region
developed its own distinct identity such that a taster would associate
certain flavors and aromas with a specific winemaking province. This is why
the Appellation Controlee system was established, so that Bordeaux, for example, would consistently taste like Bordeaux is supposed to taste. As we have pointed out in
previous newsletters, French wines are usually named for their region of
origin and the name of the grape variety used is usually omitted. With some
of the modern wines, the quality is very good, but the vintner may have
fashioned the wine from grape varieties not approved for the particular
area or not used the proper blend approved by law. Such wines are usually
classified as Vins de Pays, or wines of the country. These wines often
represent great values at lower prices than AOC wines. We have found some deals that represent some
of the classic regions of France and we will sample them out on Saturday. This is an
opportunity to taste some classic styles of wine that are usually expensive
without spending much money. Importer extraordinaire and wine educator Gray
Mosby will be here to pour the wines and answer your questions. -Gordon
Comte Laudet Vin de Pays de Terroirs
Landais 2003 Blanc This crisp and
clean white wine is made in an area located between Bordeaux and Gascony in
the western region of France. Vin de Pays de Terroirs Landais is a locally
specific wine producing area that would be encountered if one drove south
from Bordeaux towards Gascony. Stylistically, this wine is very similar to the
popular Domaine de Pouy, but it is a better deal these days. The grape
variety used is Petite Manseng, an indigenous grape to this area. This wine
is made in a fresh and clean style without the use of any oak. Fresh fruit
and mineral aromas are evident, leading to a palate that is clean, crisp
and citrusy. This wine is from the outstanding 2003 vintage in France that produced grapes with extraordinary ripeness and
great flavors. Serve with seafood dishes or rich, creamy cheeses. $6.95
Chateau Belle Garde Bordeaux Rouge 2002
Gold Medal This tasty blend
of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon won a gold medal in Paris at the prestigious Paris Concours wine show. This
wine comes from an area in Bordeaux known as Entres du Mers. For those of you who have
not completed our Bordeaux class, that area is located between the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers, or, literally, the land "between two
seas." This wine does meet the criteria for the AOC of Bordeaux. This full bodied red displays
characteristic Bordeaux aromas of earth, pencil shavings and cassis fruit.
The palate displays subtle nuances of earth, leather and red fruits and
maybe a trace of smoke. This wine is restrained and balanced and not a
powerful fruit bomb like the Aussie Shiraz that is all the rage these days.
Comparing these two styles of wine would be like selecting a luxury sedan
or a sports car. Both will get you there, but it is just a question of the
style in which you want to be conveyed. Would you rather have a blast of
power or a smooth, comfortable ride? Serve this nuanced red with a steak
off the grill or roasted red meats. $9.95
Chateau Joanny Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2003 The Rhone reds from the spectacular 2003 vintage are
starting to come in now and this one is an excellent example of the
ripeness produced by the scorching heat wave last year. The Cotes du Rhone
appellation is located in the southern part of France, below Burgundy and is noted for warm weather which produces rich and
warm red wines. The grapes used in this wine are Grenache and Syrah with a
touch of Mouvedre. The wine displays a robe of medium crimson hue and rich
aromas of fruit and spice. The palate is coated with smooth, voluptuous
fruit reminiscent of raspberries and Asian spices, finishing with a nice
soft vanilla note. We know this wine has a weird looking label with the
funky guy's picture on it, but don't worry, it tastes fine. Serve this wine
with smoky grilled foods such as barbecued chicken or ribs. $9.95
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