Are you lacking the funds to take a trip to one of the beautiful regions that line the Mediterranean? Don’t worry, we’ll bring the Mediterranean to you this Friday (August 31) from 4-7 p.m. by sampling 5 wines from southern France and northeast Spain that over deliver in a big way. The cost for the tasting is just $5/person or it’s free if you’re a Grape Nut.
With a climate marked by warm, dry, sunny summers, the grapevine has thrived in these regions for millennia producing robust, exotic, flavorful wines that love to be paired with Mediterranean inspired cuisine as much as they love to be consumed on a cool autumn night with friends around a fire. It’s a great lineup this Friday………take a look!
1. 2011 Gassier Cotes du Rhone Blanc “Cercius” – This is the white wine from Michel Gassier and it is a blend of 70% Grenache Blanc and 30% Sauvignon Blanc. It offers abundant notes of lime juice, crushed rocks, spring flowers and a hint of pineapple juice. Great with fish, pork and chicken dishes.
2. 2009 Mas Donis Montsant “Barrica” – This has been a no brainer value red for many consecutive vintages. From Montsant in northeastern Spain, it is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah that sees 9 months aging in French and American oak. It is a full and supple wine with notes of ripe black cherry and raspberry fruit along with notions of crushed rocks and flowers.
3. 2008 Chateau d’Angles La Clape “Cuvée Classique” –Chateau d’Angles is the new home estate of Eric Fabre who previously served as the technical director and winemaker at Lafite-Rothschild. His vineyards are in La Clape, right on the Mediterranean and the blend is 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre. It delivers in a big way with notes of raspberry, baked fig and blueberry along with nuances of pepper and herbs.
4. 2010 Joan d’Anguera Montsant “Planella”- Here’s another one from Montsant made by brothers Joan and Josep d’Anguera. A cépage of old vine Carignan, Syrah and Garnatxa make up this plush and delicious red wine. Ripe and dense, the wine offers heady notes of cherry liqueur along with exotic spices leading into a supple palate of sweet berries, mineral and pepper.
5. 2006 Domaine le Couroulu Vacqueyras “Vieilles Vignes” – Le Couroulu is one of the finest estates in the southern Rhone village of Vacqueyras, and they crafted one of the finest Vacqueyras in 2006. A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, it comes from two parcels of Grenache planted in 1932, as well as a smaller plot of Syrah planted in 1960. It is a very impressive wine at a very attractive price, and it is drinking incredibly well right now!