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French Wine
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Buying Guide: Vin de Pays Top ProducersFortantThis family run winery has been
prominent in French wine since 1961. In the 1980's, inspired by a
trip to California, where single varietal
styles were quickly gaining in popularity, they were inspired to
bring the New World style back to the south of France. At the time,
varietal wines in France were hardly common, not having a proper
forum to flourish within the strict growing and blending rules of the
French AOC system. It was no minor achievement that within only ten
years time their progressive ideas had caught on so well. By the
late 1980's a large enough contingent of growers had committed to the
idea, and a new genre of single varietal wines began to emerge from
southern France. Successful varietal Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
wines were followed soon by the classic reds of Merlot, Cabernet, and
Syrah. Today Fortant offers a selection that defies the notion that
French wines need be expensive and complicated. For your French wine
dollar, these wines will deliver a cleverly authentic expression of the
fruit at an affordable price.
Tasting Notes: Purple with mulberry highlights. Spicy, with a balanced blackcurrant background. Red fruit with notes of vanilla are fresh and pleasing. Comment: This is a balanced, easy drinking Cabernet at an affordable price. They also offer a bag in box version that is blended with Shiraz, which will make 20 glasses and keep for up to a month after opening. Food Pairing: red meats | hard cheeses | pate | bbq When to Drink: Drink young Service Temperature: 17°C | 63°F
 Fortant Chardonnay Vin de Pays
d'Oc $7
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay Tasting Notes: Light yellow golden straw color with notes of vanilla, pear, and honey. The feel on the mouth is smooth and creamy. Comment: Refined and powerful as budget Chardonnay comes, this wine is matured on fine lees to create a rich finish. Food Pairing: everyday drinking | seafood | salads | aperitif When to Drink: Drink
young Service Temperature: 9°C | 47°F
 Fortant Merlot Vin de Pays d'Oc
$7
Grapes: 100% Merlot Tasting Notes: Intense deep red, with notes of strawberries, blackberries, and aromatic fresh crushed thyme with rosemary. Comment: Another smooth Fortant wine for relaxed occasions, and a good wine for meals. Food Pairing: everyday drinking | lamb | red meats | white meats | vegetable terrine | chocolate When to Drink: Drink young Service Temperature: 15°C | 60°F
Tortoise CreekAlso from the Languedoc comes this line of varietal vins de pays. Tortoise Creek was created by a British couple who had for many years lived in the southern France region, where they were able to form relationships with local growers and vintners. Their wines, always expressive of their generous terroir, include most of the grape varieties known to be regional mainstays: Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, and in recent years some varieties new to the region such as Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.
Tasting Notes: Dark cherry, plum, blackberries and spice. Hints of licorice and the feel on the palate is smooth and velvety. Finely rich and aromatic Comment: Grapes are sourced form only five individual vineyard sites in the Languedoc. The Merlot also receives no oak, so the ripeness of the fruit in the forefront. Food Pairing: pasta | sweet glazed meats | stewed beef When to Drink: Drink young Service Temperature: 17°C | 63°F
Tasting Notes: Pear, apple, cinnamon and spice come from the ripe fruit in this wine. Has a stony, mineral background that reminds one of a classic northern French Chardonnay. Comment: Grapes are sourced form only five individual vineyard sites in the Languedoc. The Merlot also receives no oak, so the ripeness of the fruit in the forefront. Food Pairing: asian dishes | pork | poultry | pasta with cream sauce | seafood When to Drink: Drink young Service Temperature: 9°C | 47°F
Les JamellesCatherine and Laurent Delaunay, the two young winemakers behind Les Jamelles, have four generations of Burgundian winemaking in their blood. Also inspired by the varietal bug created with the growth of the California wine industry, they returned to France to begin their wine venture in the vast vineyards of the Languedoc-Roussillon. There they reaped the benefit of having a plentiful variety of microclimates from which to source grapes for their varietals. This has resulted in a fine selection of wines—round, structured, fresh, and full of fruit—that demonstrates how careful selection of complimentary terroirs can create a quality, yet wallet-friendly product.
Tasting Notes: Pretty pink in color, fruity and aromatic. Notes of raspberry, strawberry, with scent of rose and lavender. Ever so slight carbon bite on the palate, coupled with a nice acidity makes this wine fresh and easy drinking. Comment: This
wine is vinified as a “Rose de saignee,” where whole bunches of
Cinsault grapes are macerated until the pink color is obtained. Food Pairing: pasta | all cheese | salad | white meats | aperitif When to Drink: Drink young Service Temperature: 8°C | 46°F
 Les Jamelles Pinot Noir Pinot
Noir Vin de Pays d'Oc $9
Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir Tasting Notes: Dark ruby in color, mixed scents of dark red and black berries with flowers. Finely bodied but complex, with additional notes of wood and vanilla. Comment: Les Jamelles makes it a point to assure that their Pinot Noir is not heavy and overripe, as many from the sunny south of France can be. Food Pairing: pasta | deli meats | white meats | aperitif | poultry with cream sauce | light to medium cheese When to Drink: Drink young Service Temperature: 17°C | 63°F
Domaine du TariquetPurchased in 1912 by a group of bear trainers, Chateau Tariquet is the largest family chateau in France. Today, they produce almost ten million bottles a year—both brandies and white wines, which they only started producing in 1972. However, don't let the massiveness of their operation deceive you. They consistently come out with some excellent wines, and at a good value.
Grapes: Gros Manseng and other regional varieties depending upon vintage Tasting Notes: Full of delicious tropical flavors and a sustained freshness on the palate. Comment: This is a great example of a somewhat off the map grape variety, and it presents the possibility of an exciting change of pace that the vins de pays can offer. Food Pairing: soft cheese | white meats | aperitif | pate When to Drink: Drink young, keep up to 2 years Service Temperature: 9°C | 47°F
 Domaine du Tariquet Chenin
Chardonnay White Blend Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne $10
Grapes: 75% Chenin Blanc, 25% Chardonnay Tasting Notes: Mineral and creamy, with a tinge of sourness complimented by sweetness that can surprise the palate. Fresh with ripe grapes and smooth. Comment: Another unique recipe that one would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the world. This wine comes through with a really interesting twist on the white blend. Food Pairing: fish | white meats | aperitif | asian dishes | curry When to Drink: Drink young, keep up to 2 years Service Temperature: 9°C | 47°F
Buying Guide: 20 Top Vins de Pays Under $15
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Grapes: 
Grapes: 
Domaine du Tariquet Les Premières
Grives Gros Manseng Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne $15 
