During the Loire, Rhone and Languedoc session in March 2015, we tasted:
Methode Traditionelle, (Chenin), Chateau Moncontour for Marks and Spencer, Vouvray AOC, Loire, France, 2010, MYR99
Le Fleuve Bleu, (Clairette/Columbard/Grenache Blanc), Belinda Kleinig for Marks and Spencer, Vin de France (Rhone), 2013, MYR49
Vins sans Frontieres, (Sauvignon Blanc), Sacha Lichine, Pays d’Oc, IGP, France, 2010, MYR90
*Les Comtes, (Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre), Chateau de Flaugergues for Marks and Spencer, Languedoc AOP, France, 2012, MYR89
**Vielle Vignes, (Grenache/Syrah), Famille Tardieu Laurent, Vacqueyras AOC, Rhone Valley, France, 2012, MYR142
*made without oak
**12 months old barrels, made in the “Northern style”
Food and Wine Matching:
Spiced Vegetable and Lentil Soup
Goat Cheese Selection
Chocolate Salame
During the Loire and Rhone Valleys session in March 2014, we tasted:
*Chateau de La Gravelle, Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOP, Loire, France, (Melon de Bourgogne), for Marks & Spencer, 2011, MYR179
**Tesco Finest, Sancerre AOC, Loire, France, (Sauvignon Blanc), Claude Fournier for Tesco, 2010, MYR80
***Cotes du Rhone AOC, France, (Blend of Rhone varietals), J Chantrel, selected for Tesco, MYR40
****Tesco Finest, Gigondas AOC, Cotes du Rhone, France, (Grenache/Mourvedre/Syrah), T Sansot Vignerons Coterie, 2009, MYR80
*****La Croix, Ventoux AOC, Cotes du Rhone, France, (Grenache/Syrah/Cinsault), Chateau Unang, 2010, MYR89
*Grapes from a specific area of the vineyard – Moulin des Cossardiéres
**The best examples of this wine should not be kept longer than 4 years. At this age limit, the wine should have been discounted.
***On closer inspection, this wine did not have a vintage but one would assume it was only a few years old, and I thought it would be good to analyse and discuss. The colour on pouring as a muddy shade of garnet, it smelled fortified with only alcohol and no fruit notes at all.Those who dared to taste reported this was confirmed on the palate. The wine will be returned to Tesco.
****Red under £15 winner at IWC – zero information on oak ageing etc
*****Silver Medal winner at IWSC 2013
Food and Wine Matching:
Onion and Apple Tart
Mousse au Chocolat
During the Loire and Rhone Valleys session in March 2013, we tasted:
Tesco Finest, (Sauvignon Blanc), Pouilly Fumé AOC, France, 2009, MYR80
Villiera, (Chenin Blanc), Jeffrey Grier for Marks & Spencer, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2010, MYR99
Rosé, (Cinsault/Grenache/Syrah), Chateau Unang, Ventoux AOC, France, 2011, MYR64
Reserve, (Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre), Perrin & Fils for Marks & Spencer, Cotes du Rhone AOC, France, 2011, MYR75
Food and Wine Matching:
Smoked Salmon Fishcakes with Lime Mayonnaise
Iced Berries with White Chocolate Sauce