I'm at one of the so called Offs the day before Vinisud begins in Montpellier France tasting wines well before lunch.
The most interesting wines are coming not from the Languedoc but from Serbia, Portugal and Italy.
Maybe they stand out because they are different, but my palate is telling me that variety is the spice of life. So what's impressing me, a lovely white from Casal Figueira which is found north of Lisbon along with Muxagat from up in the Douro near the Spanish border. Both the whites and reds are perfect fusion cuisine wines and the whites really geared for fish and shellfish. Muxagat is imported by Winebow.
Then there is Francuska Vanariji from Serbia with a stunning Alsatian Riesling and a delightful Gamay.
Last is a Tuscan red, the 2008 Podere il Casino from the Maremma region of Tuscany. Their two 2007's need time but the 08, a blend of Sagiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is a stunning red I only wish was sold in the USA.
From Limoux I found the Domsine de Mouscaillo, imported by Beaune Imports, to be a fabulous example of Chardonnay that is grown high atop the Pyrenees mountains. The wine is bone dry and would work exceptionally well with Asian spiced cooking from Thailand or Vietnam.
From SW France the Jurancon Sec from Domaine du Bru-Bache 2010 is crisp and dry and screams for sushi and wasabi spice.
Another new producer from Cotes Catelanes, Domaine Matassa showed off some equally impressive whites and very big red wines from old vine Carignan, Syrah and Grenache. The still in barrel 2011 Syrah is a head turner while the whites provide a soft entry.
Clot de l'Origine has a to die for dry Muscat and a second tasty white. These are great by themselves, or before dinner or with cheese.
More to taste and more to come.
The most interesting wines are coming not from the Languedoc but from Serbia, Portugal and Italy.
Maybe they stand out because they are different, but my palate is telling me that variety is the spice of life. So what's impressing me, a lovely white from Casal Figueira which is found north of Lisbon along with Muxagat from up in the Douro near the Spanish border. Both the whites and reds are perfect fusion cuisine wines and the whites really geared for fish and shellfish. Muxagat is imported by Winebow.
Then there is Francuska Vanariji from Serbia with a stunning Alsatian Riesling and a delightful Gamay.
Last is a Tuscan red, the 2008 Podere il Casino from the Maremma region of Tuscany. Their two 2007's need time but the 08, a blend of Sagiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is a stunning red I only wish was sold in the USA.
From Limoux I found the Domsine de Mouscaillo, imported by Beaune Imports, to be a fabulous example of Chardonnay that is grown high atop the Pyrenees mountains. The wine is bone dry and would work exceptionally well with Asian spiced cooking from Thailand or Vietnam.
From SW France the Jurancon Sec from Domaine du Bru-Bache 2010 is crisp and dry and screams for sushi and wasabi spice.
Another new producer from Cotes Catelanes, Domaine Matassa showed off some equally impressive whites and very big red wines from old vine Carignan, Syrah and Grenache. The still in barrel 2011 Syrah is a head turner while the whites provide a soft entry.
Clot de l'Origine has a to die for dry Muscat and a second tasty white. These are great by themselves, or before dinner or with cheese.
More to taste and more to come.
Comments