French Wine Gift - Unique Wines from Independent French Growers

Wines of the Month: July 2005

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The descriptions found below are the ones our members will find with their monthly shipment of two bottles of fine wine from the French Wine Club.

Red: Domaine des Romarins, Côtes du Rhône 2002

The Domaine des Romarins is located about 15 kms (9.3 miles) from the town of Avignon. This is truly a family operation: the father, Georges Fabre, looks after the vineyard while his son Francis supervises the vinification. The soil is made of round pebbles brought by the Rhône river. Some of the vineyards are so full of rocks that a simple walk through them is almost impossible!

This wine is a blend of 40% Grenache, 50% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre. Grenache gives the round and structured taste, Syrah the color and strength in tannins, and Mourvedre is the complement with low acidity. These grape varieties are cultivated year round, respecting their own agronomical characteristics and nature.

Domaine des Romarins is a typical wine of the “Appellation of South Rhône”. The important part of Syrah gives its young character, and tannins express themselves well. Domaine des Romarins will be at its peak between 2005 and 2008. Enjoy it with grilled meats and strong cheese on the cool side.

To order, click here: Bottle ($14.75), Case ($141.60 - 20% off!).

White: Picpoul de Pinet, Domaine des Lauriers, Côteaux du Languedoc 2004

The Domaine des Lauriers covers an area of 45 hectares (111 acres), 13 of them (32 acres) devoted to the A.O.C. (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) “Côteaux du Languedoc, Picpoul de Pinet”. It is produced near a small village called Castelnau de Guers, located a few kilometers from the city of Béziers. The vines benefit from a Mediterranean climate with significant differences between day and night temperatures in August and September, thus providing the wines with a remarkably aromatic freshness.

The owners are the Cabrols, a wine-growing family going back over four generations. They make wine in their own cellar. The harvesting of Picpoul is done at night when the temperature is cool. This preserves all the aromas found in the wine.

This Picpoul de Pinet has an attractive pale white color with green tints. It has an intense nose dominated by exotic fruits (pinapple, lime, and white peach). It is complex and fleshy in the mouth, with a very soft finish of exotic fruits. The Picpoul is a refreshing wine to enjoy in the summer. Drink it cool with white fish, chicken, pasta or on its own.

To order, click here: Bottle ($14.75), Case ($141.60 - 20% off!).

Previous 12 Wine-of-the-Month Selections

(Important note: in general, only cases of past Wine-of-the-Month selections are available, and even so, we cannot guarantee that they will be accessible after a certain amount of time. Please call or e-mail us to check on availability before ordering.)

June 2005:
Red: Domaine de Coussergues, Mourvedre 2003
White: Domaine La Bastide, Viognier 2004

May 2005:
Red: Domaine La Millière 2003
White: Chardonnay du Bugey, Domaine Plantaz 2001

April 2005:
Red: Clos Bagatelle St Chinian 2002
White: Apremont 2003

March 2005:
Red: Domaine de Costebonne 2001, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence
White: Vin de Pays des Côtes de Thau, Sauvignon Blanc “Hugues de Beauvignac”

February 2005:
Red: Château Rauzan Despagne 2003
White: Colombelle 2003

January 2005:
Red: Arrogant Frog 2003
White: Domaine de Valensac 2001

December 2004:
Red: Cossart de Margaux 1999
White: Clos des Verdots Bergerac 2003

November 2004:
Red: Pelican 2003
White: Ballade en Straminer 2002

October 2004:
Red: Réserve Grand Veneur, Côtes du Rhône 2003
White: Domaine Trois Frères, Chardonnay 2002

September 2004:
Red: Merlot d’Hauterive 2002
White: Domaine des Cassagnoles, Cuvée Gros Manseng 2003

August 2004:
Red: Domaine du Sacré-Coeur, St-Chinian 2000
White: Domaine de la Bachellery, Vin de Pays d'Oc 2003

July 2004:
Red: Shiraz 2002 Laurent Miquel Nord-Sud
White: Viognier 2003 Laurent Miquel Nord-Sud

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