Asheville’s Best Free Wine Tasting – Friday, July 10th from 2-7 p.m. – Ever heard of the term terroir? It’s the French term for “sense of place” or the way that a wine tastes and smells like the place from which it came. For instance, take a wine like Heitz “Martha’s Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon, wine from a single vineyard surrounded by eucalyptus trees. Guess what it smells like? You guessed it, minty eucalyptus! This same premise applies in vineyards throughout France where you have some of the most complex soil types and micro-climates in the world. If this all sounds crazy to you, stop by this Friday for our “Free, Fun, and Funky French Wine Tasting.” You’ll leave a believer! Taste, learn, and save up to 20% off on all of the tasting wines every Friday at Table Wine.
The Wines
1. 2012 Domaine Bru-Baché Jurancon Sec (Southwestern France) – Imported by the incomparable Kermit Lynch, this is 100% Gros Manseng from biodynamically farmed vineyards grown on clay and limestone soils. Vines are in the 15 to 75 year age range, so the terroir really shines through in this soulful, thought provoking white that smells and tastes of golden apple, pear, flowers, and honeyed mineral.
2. 2013 Domaine de Fontsainte Corbieres (Languedoc, France) – This one also comes from Kermit Lynch’s portfolio and it is year in and year out one of the great French red wine values. From older vineyards positioned in rocky, gravelly soils, the blend on this one is mainly Carignan with smaller splashes of Grenache and Syrah. Aromas of fresh berries, hot rocks, peppery spice, and herbs de Provence show up on the nose and the medium bodied palate of this sensational Southern French red.
3. 2013 Domaine Lafage Tessellae Carignan Vieilles Vignes (Roussillon, France) – Poor old Carignan! Long regarded as a lower class grape that was relegated to jug wine production, many of the quality producers of Southern France are making remarkable versions these days. Old vines and low yields are the keys to success, and Jean-Marc Lafage has the magic touch with the varietal. From 70+ year old vineyards grown in the rocky, schist soils of Maury, this smells of liquid mineral, ripe berries, spices and dark chocolate leading into a palate of ripe and smooth dark fruits, anise, and mineral. 94 points The Wine Advocate