LIGHT SUMMER REDS
As summer is fast approaching we chose the theme of light red wines for our May 11th tasting. The line up of wines included 3 red’s from France’s Beaujolais region, 2 from the Loire region and 1 from the South of France. Beaujolais and Loire are two regions synonymous with fresh, fruity wines. As a matter of fact, Beaujolais is the one wine that experts will not scoff at you for putting it in the fridge for a brief stint before enjoying it.
The winner of the evening was wine number 6, Du Hureau from Loire Valley, Samur-Champighny. A close second and perhaps the big surprise of the evening was the Terrasse de Lalande from the South of France. At € 3.95, on sale from 5 euro at Ton Overmars, a real bargain! I would go a pick up a case of it to have it on hand for those nice hot summer days.
A general consensus was that most wines went better with food and Oscar and Farud ensured there was plenty of this to go around.
Wine 1 : Domaine des Fontenys
Producer: Alois Lageder
Region: France, Loire, Bourgueil
Quality: AC Bourguiel
Supplier: Gall and Gall
Grape varieties: Cabernet Franc
Price: € 7.95
Score: 2.3
Extra info: Fresh and fruity red wine. Nothing too spectacular little length on the palate.
Wine 2 : Chateau de Buffavent
Producer: Georges Duboeuf
Region: France, Beaujolais
Quality: AC Beaujolais
Supplier: Gall and Gall
Grape varietie s: Gamay
Vintage 2003
Price € 6.90
Score: 2.59
Wine 3 : Domaine de Lathevalle
Producer: Mommessin
Region: France, Beaujolais: Morgon
Quality: AC Morgon
Supplier: Gall and Gall
Grape varieties: Gamay
Vintage 2005
Price € 9.49
Score: 3.07
Extra info
Wine 4 : Domaine Des Quatre Vents
Producer: Georges duboeuf
Region: France, Beaujolais, Fleurie
Supplier: Ton Overmars
Grape varieties: Gamay
Vintage 2005
Price € 11.65
Score: 2.68
Wine 5 : Terrasse de Lalande
Producer: Domaine Lalande
Region: South of France
Supplier: Ton Overmars
Grape varieties: Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
Vintage : 2005
Price on sale for € 3.95
Score: 3.09
Extra info: Not the winner of the evening per se but looking at the price quality ratio this definitely stole the show! Very nice fresh, light summer red wine. Perfect for a bbq party! And the bottle is pretty funky as well.
Wine 6 : Château de Hureau Saumur-Champigny
Producer: Château de Hureau
Region: France , Loire Valley, Saumur Champigny
Supplier: Ton Overmars
Grape varieties: Cabernet Franc
Vintage: 2004
Price: € 9.95
Score: 3.23
Extra info: Typical Cabernet Franc wine. Red fruits accompanied by vegetal and herbal notes in both the aroma and the palate. Much better with food than without.