Tag: French wine
Wine Tasting: 2000 Dom. Brusset Trad. Le Grand Montmirail
Posted by on July 7, 2009
Domaine Brusset is a relatively large producer in Rhone. This wine is from an appelation in Southern Rhone called Gigondas created in 1971. Unlike Northern Rhone, which employs solely Syrah. The wine would probably be a combination of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carrigane and Cinsault. On the nose, some cherry liqueur or kirsch character popped out mixing with some earthy barnyard but the wine was not giving much. I deliberately aired the wine before tasting but still…more cherry fruit and dry berry/flower characters came out upon tasting. It has a medium to full body followed with some astringency characters like bitter lemon/tangerine. The tannin is sandy, mouth coating and immediately dried out the tongue. The finish is relatively short and leaving my mouth dry. The style is traditional and backward. I fail once again why the both WA and WS rated this wine so high (93 and 94 points respectively) in the past. (87-89 points) rated by Michael Lam of the Beverage Review.
Wine Tasting: 2003 Chateau de Carles from Bordeaux
Posted by on June 28, 2009
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.
French Winemaking’s Odd Couple
Posted by on June 22, 2009
French Wines Are Considered Superior
Posted by on June 20, 2009
Wine enthusiasts around the world consider French wine to be superior and they are considered the benchmark by which other wines are measured. There are many varieties of wines, the more commonly known ones are red, white, rose and champagne.
There are literally thousands of vineyards that produce wine throughout thirteen different regions in France. France is also known for having the ideal location for growing grapes. The soil conditions are perfect and the vineyards are very close to the water. The climate in France also makes it one of the best locations in the world for wine.
Wines are usually classified according to the grape varieties they are made from. One grape variety, the Barbera, is often used for red wine. Grown mainly in Piedmont, Italy, this variety is quite adaptable to other regions, and is also grown on a limited scale in the United States. Barbera grapes have a high natural acidity and produce wines with a full-bodied fruity taste.
Wine enthusiasts all know about one variety grown in many parts of the world, the Cabernet Sauvignon. Grown primarily in Medoc, France, this grape variety has found its way to California, Australia and other wine-making countries. Cabernet Sauvignon wines are considered by wine enthusiasts as among the best red wines in the world. Among the white varieties, the Chardonnay is easily the most popular, producing some of the world’s finest white wines. These French wine varieties are favorites when dining.
French wine varies from the rare varieties, which can be very difficult to find, to the most common types that you can find in wine stores everywhere. If you are looking for one of the more rare types of French wine, your best bet would be to use the Internet. Rare vintage French wine can be extremely hard to find, but by looking at the many different wine websites and wine forums, you may find what you are looking for.
Without a doubt, French wine is a cut above the average wine. Other wines may use the same methods in production and even the same ingredients, but they don’t taste the same as those made in France. Why not impress your friends with a little wine knowledge and some fool proof wine values. When you taste a wine that was made in France - you’ll know it, because French wine has a taste and aroma like no other.