Vines from a Volcano near the seaside town of Cap d’Agde!
This is a pleasant Languedoc from winemaker Pierre Besinet with Oeach and Apricot notes apparent.
Perfectly potable VFM wine. Winemaker’s notes here
Viognier
La Baume Saint-Paul Viognier 2011 Reserve
I liked this.
Yellow in the glass, Buttery mouth feel, lovely nose and delicate delivery of apricots jumping on your tongue.
Must research the producer.
Dunnes €9.50.
Domaine de Mont-Auriol Viognier 2011 Cotes de Thongue
Dark, almost boudoir-ish, I loved the burnt orange colour of the chairs in the new Marcels (formerly The Espresso Bar) on Mary’s Road where I met Olly for lunch.
We both had the same order: the Four types of Tomato and Goats Cheese starter was delicious; the Cod was good though I found the sauce quite rich. The chips – additional cost – were workmanlike. This Viognier, a tad expensive @ E28 was very palatable, not quite as rich as the Mussel Veloute, but very tasty and not just because of the good company. Slightly oily mouthfeel, taste of peaches, nice floral nose.
I wasn’t able to find much on the producer other than it was once a Royal estate.
G.S.M Grenache-Sauvignon-Marsanne 2011 Charles Vienot
2011 Charles Vienot GSM Blanc
This is a Superquinn exclusive by Boisset.
White Grenache, Sauvignon and Marsanne it has tons of ripe fruit but with a lovely acidic lift. Great!
Charles Vienot was a grower and negociant with very high quality and lovely wines and a history going back before the French Revolution. But like many in Burgundy, it fell on hard times in the 1980s and was sold (to Boisset). Now, the name has been revived. This wine was made by Pascal Marchand, formerly winemaker at Comte Armand, from grapes grown at Domaine Raymond Launay. The same wine was also sold under the Domaine Raymond Launay label.
Interesting article about the Boisset empire here http://www.southfloridagourmet.com/newsite/archives/boisset.html
A gift from the Farrells.
Palermo – Site Visit in May. Calatrasi & Miccichè Viognier, 2011, Sicily. Cusamano angimbé Insolia, Chardonnay, Sicily, 2012. Tenuta Regaleali, Leone, Conti Tasca d’almerita, Sicily, 2012.
Lesley took me to Sicily in May and we ended the trip in Palermo.
These are some of the wines we had to sample there with Donald & Dale, who kindly travelled to spend the weekend with us.
Each as tasty as the last. Someone has to do it!
Catarratto (43%), Pinot Bianco (25%), Sauvignon (22%) and Traminer Aromatico (10%).
La Basculá Catalan Eagle Garnacha Blanca & Viognier 2011 Terra Alta
We tried this in Coppinger Row where we had a really interesting meal to celebrate Lesley’s Birthday with the extended family who were in Dublin for Amy & Ross’ wedding. Wonderful day, excellent food and some interesting wines.
McConkey Wine 