'France,
historically, has turned its earth and air into greater beauty
and profundity than any other nation on earth.' Andrew
Jefford: 'The New France'
The
wines of the South West are rich in variety and youth. What
we do when you come to us is to show you how this applies
to the South West.
Here
in the South West there is much youth in the viti/vinicultural
world conducive to energy in creating wines that are not only
typical of the terroir of a particular domaine but also wines
that are quite unique and innovative. Take for instance the
wine of Robert Plageoles at Gaillac and his 'mauzac nature'.
This is a sparkling wine dating back to the precursors of
the Dom Pérignon style; a jewel of light persistent
bubbles, subtle sweetness and yeasty nose.
Then
there is the 'vin moelleux' of Jean-Luc Baldès at Cahors.
Who would ever have guessed that underneath all that black
wine, for which Cahors is so famous, lies a little bottled
gold made from the 'pourriture noble' of chenin blanc grapes?
Also
the delicious Don Quichotte of Domaine Le Roc. A wine black
with pigeage and made from a blend of Negrette and Syrah.
These Fronton wines leave a delicious slightly bitter chocolate
after taste. Distinctive, stylish and delicious.
And
so it goes on.
I
love it. The only thing that goes against the grain is the
persistence of changing the design of bottle labels. I do
find that a label is one's primary familiarity to a bottle.
One could say it was rather like a girl changing the colour
of her hair:
And
so with wine and the labels keep changng.
So
the wines carefully selected for your weeks walking will be
there to give you an idea of the variety and consistent quality
from this part of France. An art also is finding food to compliment
the wine and vice versa. We hope that with fourteen years
experience we have got that just right. The invitation is
for you to come and see if you agree!
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