From the category archives:

France

Domaine Marie Faugeres 2010

September 30, 2011
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I like the label on this one. Modern, minimal, but still with a touch of art, of wildness. Its understated nature suits what’s inside quite well. It’s from the Faugeres region of the south of France, which only got its own appellation in 1982 but has by many accounts been producing excellent – and good [...]

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L’azerolle 2009, Old Vine Carignan From the Minervois

September 23, 2011
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I was in the new Battersea Market not long ago and came upon the folks from DVine Wine who had set up a small stall in the market. DVine are a great bunch of people and are doing their best to bring organic and biodynamic wines to the public’s attention. Greg and Sara of DVine [...]

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ASDA Extra Special Fleurie

September 22, 2011
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Fleurie is one of the most instantly recognisable Cru Beaujolais – instantly recognisable due to its popularity, but recognisable as a Cru Beaujolais (the highest category of classification for this light and fruity style of French wine) only to those who take an interest in such things. Personally, I’ve only been drinking Beaujolais for a [...]

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Cotes du Roussillon Villages, Les Vignes de Bila-Haut 2009, M. Chapoutier

September 5, 2011
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Along with parts of Provence, the Roussillon region is said to have the oldest cultivated vineyards in France, dating back to 500 BC. While wine producer M.Chapoutier hasn’t quite been there that long, on the evidence of this bottle he’s certainly made the most of the Mediterranean climate and diverse soils that characterise this part [...]

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Chateau de Terrefort Lescalle Bordeaux 2007

August 5, 2011
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The label says it all. A restrained colour scheme consisting of three colours only. A tasteful charcoal rendering of a Chateau surrounded by vineyards, set in the verdant French countryside. Lots of long French words. And the absence of any label on the back harping on about ‘mouthwatering berry fruits’ and how it’s best served [...]

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Beaujolais-Villages 2009, Domaine Monternot – Les Jumeaux

May 18, 2011
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A visit to France is cause for excitement for any wine fan. Bargains are had, incomprehensible labels are read, and complicated guides to French wine regions are pored over then discarded in the realisation that what was once a holiday has now become anything but. A recent trip to Dieppe provided my initiation into the [...]

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Château Destieux 1997 St-Emilion Grand Cru

May 11, 2011
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This wine completely flummoxed me in the shop, but I thought the label looked fancy so I might as well give it a go – after all, you can’t learn everything about so-called “fine” wines off Wikipedia. Not yet, at least. (Still waiting for lickable screens.) So, I suppose I should have tasted it blind [...]

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Joseph Drouhin Rouge Rully Burgundy

April 13, 2011
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‘Rully‘ is a nice memorable name, and therefore – I presumed – a good place to start in exploring Burgundy, and its wines, remotely. That’s right, far from being a rough northern town in England, which it (arguably) sounds like, Rully is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department of the greater Burgundy area, and for [...]

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Everyday Bordeaux – 2009 Calvet Reserve

April 6, 2011
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Bordeaux is often thought of as an elitist drink. A wine that only the rich (or the Chinese) can afford. While it’s true that if you want to drink the great wines of Bordeaux you will have to fork out a lot of money, there are plenty of great everyday wines that are produced from [...]

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Chateaux Lauduc Classic Red 2008

April 4, 2011
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BORDEAUX FRANCE 13% Natural Cork £8.49 ODDBINS (Buyers Choice case of 6 mixed) Buy 6 for only £6.79 each – Save 20% Mixable Cellaring for 8 years Apparently 88% of all wine produced in Bordeaux is red. This Chateau Lauduc is one of them, blended with a delightful duo of grapes 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet [...]

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Wines of the French Riviera

March 28, 2011
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No trip to the south of France would be complete without a generous sampling of the region’s well-known wines. Not strictly the province of the connoisseur, wine on the French Riviera is as plentiful as the region’s storied light and, many would say, just as good for the soul. A wide portion of the Côte [...]

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