Agricultural fair in Paris.  A French wine tasting.

Chateau de Carles is from Fronsac in right bank of Bordeaux. Fronsac is considered as a ‘minor’ region north west of two more famous communes west of Pomerol and St. Emilion. Here the main grapes are merlot and Cabernet Franc as to the predominant Cabernet Sauvignon in the left bank. 2003 was an usually hot year. Much merlot in the Pomerol region shut down during the summer months due to the intense heat but St. Emilion did. Also, many minor producers benefit from the heat producing ripe and plummy fruit. The Ch. de Carles was sold at Cad$23 - considered as a value buy. The wine has some vibrant red fruit (red cherry, red soft berry) intermixed with some earth, soil and barnyard characters. What came in tasting was it also carried some dark chocolate,ink block, graphite and licorice characters. The body was medium and soft. Not too complex but has reasonable solid structure. Drink up within the next 2-4 years. (Rating 86-88 points) by Michael Lam of the Beverage Review.

Can the personality of a winemaker be determined by his wine? David Turecamo examines two French vintners, one of whom is very studious & professional, and one who behaves like a drunken college fratboy. David Turecamo is known for his excellent “Our Man in Paris” segments on CBS SUNDAY MORNING.

The is a winner for the price! Cad$10.99 and readily available at many stores. A truly everyday wine with or without food. Red garnet colour. Lot of red/black cherry berry fruits intermixed with garrigue, mixed-herb, tarragon, fig and white pepper with balanced acidity and tannin but the alcohol stands out a little even at 13%. The finish is fair. This a good example of revamped Frech wine making that benefit from the hot 2003 vintage. Go and get a case and drink it in the next 2 years! 86-88 points tasted 21 Nov 2006 by Michael Lam of The Beverage Review.

How do you say ‘Cheers’ in French? This is just one of my several questions as I drink my way (!) through the Loire, enjoying some of France’s finest vintages…
Another urgent question - how to possibly describe the taste of these very special wines?? I’ll have to depend on my friends at the chateau, during our little degustation (wine tasting). And of course, my imagination comes in handy too, with these original ways to describe wine:

White flowers
Pear
Force
Power
‘Long in the mouth’ (?)
Citrusy
Delicious
a little Flinty
…and very Refreshing!