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: Clos de L'Escandil 1999, Minervois La Livinière
The Minervois is an area located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region West of St -Chinian, in the hills above the Aude Valley straddling the departments of Herault and Aude. It was elevated to full “Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée” (AOC) status in 1985. The vineyards are divided into different zones, one of which is “La Livinière”.
There, the plains are rich in alluvial soil. The hillsides are made of schist and limestone.
The weather in Minervois is typically hot with occasional storms. Two winds dominate: the cold and biting Mistral, which blows down from the heights of the Alpine glaciers, and the wet and warm Marin, which comes from the sea.
The “Clos de L'Escandil” is a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre, and 10% Grenache Noir. It has a rich texture and is full-bodied, slightly rough and dry.
Its taste is a mix of black fruit and stewed tomatoes with a hint of hearth tones, and is bottled unfiltered. Enjoy it now and for the next five years.
To order, click here: Bottle ($14.75), Case ($159.30).
White: Domaine Lalanne 2002, Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne
The Domaine Lalanne is located in the Gascony region. This part of France is known for the production of Armagnac, the world's second “Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée” (AOC) brandy, although it is less known than its famous brother Cognac. The geography of inland Gascony kept Armagnac a relatively well-kept secret to the rest of the world. As the sale of Armagnac declined, wine producers such as Alain Lalanne began working on new blends with the grapes they were using for Armagnac.
The main types are Colombard 40%, Ugni Blanc 30%, and Gros Manseng 30%. Springtime can occasionally be dry, and stormy summers, without being torrid, extend into September, which brings sweet morning coolness. The grapes mature slowly and wine harvesting ends sometimes in early November.
Domaine Lalanne is a dry white wine with appealing nose of white flowers (hawthorn, honeysuckle) and citrus fruits. It is clean, very fruity, with notes of pear and green apple. You will enjoy it with white fish, chicken or on its own as an apéritif.
To order, click here: Bottle ($14.75), Case ($159.30). |
Previous Wine of the Month Selections:
May 2004:
Red: Les Domaines Paul Mas “Vignes de Nicole” - Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah 2001
White: Les Domaines Paul Mas “Vignes de Nicole” - Chardonnay-Viognier 2002
April 2004:
Red: Cuvée de Pena 2001
White: Vin de Pays de l'Aude: La Noble
March 2004:
Red: Côte Chalonnaise 1999
White: Domaine Schlumberger, Pinot Blanc 2002
February 2004:
Red: Château la Bastide, Cabardes, 1999
White: Domaine de Rieux 2002
January 2004:
Red: Julienas 2001
White: Domaine de Molines 1999, Vin de Pays du Gard
December 2003:
Red: Château 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: Château Reysson 1998, Cru Bourgeois Haut-Médoc
White: Château les Tuileries 2002
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