Mr Mourat holding the specially designed bottle
The CIDD in Paris had another tasting event opened to the public may 25 , called "Tour de France des vignobles" (vineyards Tour de France) with several producers from different regions invited by Alain Segelle. Four wine makers
were present to make their production known to an expert audience . Because of lack of space , I will say a few words about two of them : First , I discovered for the first time a Vendée wine .
Vendée is the name of a french region and it is not well known for its wine . It is located in western France, lower than Britanny and south of Nantes. The Vendée region is famous for its resistance to the french revolution wich caused massive retaliation at the time on its population .
Chateau Marie du Fou and its vineyards are located in Mareuil, between Laroche sur Yon and La Rochelle . I tasted their "Fiefs Vendéens", red AO-VDQS 2003 , made with Cabernet Franc , Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir (wich is a unique grape variety mixage-not seen anywhere else) . It is aged in Vendéan casks from the Mervent forest .The owners designed the bottle from a very old one they found while renovating the chateau ( very beautiful chateau , by the way) and wich dated (the bottle) from the 17 th century .Good wine with tanins present, wich should tone down with ageing some more years . This wine can be found at the "Puy du Fou", the vendéan historical theme park , famous in Vendée and France. The owner says it is a favorite of Philippe de Villiers, an active vendéan politician with national influence .
I also tasted the production of a Coted du Rhone, Domaine des Grands Devers, presented by Louis Pascal Bouchard .
[** click below for more content about this tasting**]
Louis Pascal Bouchard speaking about his productionIt is located between Valréas and Visan (south of Lyon and north of Avignon)
First tasting : The Cotes du Rhone red 2002, a difficult
millesime. It rained 400 ml in one day before the grape harvest , wich is equivalent to a year's rain . Price 4,6 Euro .
Then tasted Cotes du Rhone red "Enclave des Papes" 2001, named in honor of the purchase by Pope Jean XXII in the 14 th century of 4 villages nearby to secure the law and order situation in the region (wich was not very good as it seems) . Popes at that time were residing in Avignon. That's why the name " Cuvée des Papes" This 2001 wine is great . I really love it . Euro 6.2 a bottle . 12.5° . 80% grenache and 20% Syrah . A real pleasure. . The Syrah will need 4 years to fully reveal itself .That's right . Tasting the "Enclave des Papes" 2000 shows an even better impression .
Then we tasted Visan Cotes du Rhone village 2000 , still from Domaine des Grands Devers .60% Grenache , with the rest between mostly Carignan and Mourvèdre . 13 ° ; Euro 7.65
Next : Valréas Cotes du Rhone village2000 , still from this Domaine . Very good indeed ... Good place in my note book . And 8.5 Euros only a bottle .
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