The descriptions found below are the ones you will find with your monthly shipment of two bottles of fine wine from the French Wine Club.
Red: Julienas 2001
Not all Beaujolais is “Nouveau”, despite the annual late-November hype. The cream of the Beaujolais is found in nine crus . They are: St Amour, Julienas, Chenas, Moulin-à-vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Brouilly, and Côtes de Brouilly. These villages are located in the North of Beaujolais, where the soil is different, with more schist, granite and clay than in the South, where marl and chalk dominate. The grape is Gamay Noir.
Carbonic maceration is used to extract all the fruit and aroma of the grapes, but virtually none of the tannin. It produces a wine that is immediately appealing. The Julienas has a ruby color that unveils an aroma of peony and little red fruits. Beaujolais are usually drunk young, but Julienas is worth being left alone aging for 3 to 4 years, or even more.
To order, click here: Bottle ($14.00), Case ($151.20).
White: Domaine de Molines 1999, Vin de Pays du Gard
When one thinks about the Gard region, what comes to mind is not necessarily the wine produced in this area, but rather the magnificent aqueduct built by the Romans. For a very long time the “région du Gard” has been producing wines, but it was never renowned for producing good wines. Thankfully, times have changed, and the local wine-growers have introduced new grapes to this region.
Traditionally, Sauvignon Blanc is found in the Loire valley or in the Bordeaux area. The Gard region is full of sun, and it was a challenge to grow Sauvignon Blanc there. Roger Gassier has performed miracles, and the Domaine des Molines is the result of an audacious quest, led with unwavering faith.
The Domaine des Molines is a 100 % Sauvignon Blanc. The soil is a mix of limestone and clay. It has a pale yellow color, a surprising nose tinged with white flowers and violets, exotic fruits and vanilla. Drink it on the cool side, but not so cold as to prevent you from tasting its wonderful aromas.
To order, click here: Bottle ($14.00), Case ($151.20). |
Previous Wine of the Month Selections:
December 2003:
Red: Chateau Castegens, Côtes de Castillon 1998
White: Domaine de Molines 1999, Vin de Pays du Gard
November 2003:
Red: Moulin d'Eole Costières de Nîmes 2001 (Languedoc-Roussillon)
White: Vouvray 1999, Domaine du Clos de l’Epinay, Cuvée Marcus (Loire Valley)
October 2003:
Red: Domaine du Vieux Chêne, Cuvée des Capucines, Côtes du Rhone 2001
White: Ile La Forge, Viognier 2002, Languedoc-Roussillon
September 2003:
Red: Chateau Reysson 1998, Cru Bourgeois Haut-Médoc
White: Chateau les Tuileries 2002
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