Rediscover classic French wines on Bastille Day

0


[ad_1]

As July 14 approaches, today we’re taking a quick look at French wine. While many wine critics like to poke fun at French wine, it remains the world leader in just about every category, producing every style of wine, from sparkling to fortified wine. Only Italy, and perhaps Spain, produces so many wines, and such a diverse range, from indigenous grape varieties, from the cheapest to the most expensive. France is also one of the largest producers, just behind Italy, with 43.9 million hectoliters in 2020.

It was supposed to be an article on the new France. Assuming that we know everything about Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Sancerre, Muscadet, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the other big names in France, I promised the publisher that I would look at “the new France”, the most recently rediscovered regions, of which there are many.

My plans went a bit wrong when we had my mother-in-law for a midweek dinner; I pushed the boat a bit, opening two well-known French classics that were so good I had to write about them. Muscadet and Bourgogne Rouge aren’t usually names to get label readers excited about, but they were both made by producers at the top of their game. Unfortunately they weren’t cheap but they were worth it just like us.

Muscadet has undergone a revolution in recent years. Sub-regions like Clisson have established themselves, ambitious producers are now bottling wines from a single vineyard, based on specific terroirs. Some wines are incredibly good. You can buy Burgundy Red, or Burgundy Red, for as little as € 12 of multiples. However, the best estates in the region produce excellent wines of a different class.

A few days later, I came across another wine over € 20 which made me sit down. She was originally from Roussillon, a region often assimilated to Languedoc. The two together form the largest vineyard in the world. However, Roussillon has its own Catalan identity. Back from the coast, the vines cling to the bare and steep slopes. Historically, the region was famous for its fortified wines, but in recent years some producers have started to produce spectacularly good white and red wines. The Roc des Anges, upstream of the arid Agly valley, is one of the best producers in the region.

Then I came across a cheaper Southwest White. This vast region is home to many undiscovered gems, often at great prices, and often using their own local grape varieties. With 15,000 hectares of vines and a production of 100 million bottles, Côtes de Gascogne is the largest white country wine in France.

Domaine de Luzanet 2019, Côtes de Gascogne
11.5%, € 13
Ripe, textured exotic fruit with just enough pizzazz to ensure balance and a nicely rounded finish. To drink chilled, alone or with Thai shrimp.
Of Wines from Whelehan, Loughlinstown, whelehanswines.ie

Domaine Le Roc des Anges 2017, Segna de Cor, Côtes du Roussillon
13.5%, € 22.95
Waves of pure cassis and ripe black fruit, with a nice underlying freshness and fine tannins on the finish. A pleasure to drink. Try it with grilled red meats or grilled eggplants and mushrooms.
Of jnwine.com

Les Pierres Blanches 2019, Gneiss, Domaine Luneau-Papin, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine
13%, 25 €
It is a special wine that takes Muscadet to a whole new level. Delicious ripe textured fruit with a very nice appetizing acidity. Serve with seared scallops in butter and lemon, or grilled catfish with a herb sauce.
Of Whelehan wines, Loughlinstown, whelehanswines.ie

Burgundy Red 2018, Sylvan Pataille
13.5%, € 31
Ethereal scent black cherry on the nose and palate, silky and elegant with a satisfying grip on the finish. With simply roasted chicken, or zucchini stuffed with cheese.
Of 64wine, Glasthule, 64wine.com; Baggot Street Wines, D4, baggotstreetwines.com; stationtostationwine.ie; Matson’s, Grange, Bandon and Youghal, matsonswinesandbeer.com

[ad_2]

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.