The Wine Store Kingsbridge
Our new wine is now open in Fore Street, Kingsbridge. Pop in for a wide selection of wines by the world's best small producers.
FLAVOUR OF THE MONTH
DECEMBER
DECEMBER’S FLAVOUR OF THE MONTH:
FRANCE
INTRODUCTION
Probably the most interesting and diverse of all wine producing countries - France has a history of wine production that dates back to Roman times and is often seen as the most influential country in the wine industry. It also produces the most wine by value in the world (although Italy rivals it by volume and Spain has more land under cultivation for wine grapes).
France has two distinctive concepts that are central to its higher end wine production: "Terroir", which links the style of wines to the specific location in which the grapes are grown and the wine is made - and "Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system which is a system of rules that closely define which grape varieties and winemaking practices are allowed in each of France's numerous geographically defined producing regions (appellations). These rules can relate to entire regions, individual villages or even specific vineyards.
French appellation law divides wine into four categories:
Vin de Table
Carries with it only the producer and the designation that it's from France.
Vin de Pays
Carries with it a specific region within France (ex. Vin de Pays d'Oc)
Appelation Contrôlée (AC)
A locale within a region (ex. Côte de Beaune)
Appelation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC)
Indicates a specific vineyard (ex. Château Margaux)
The wines produced in France today range from expensive high-end wines such as the famous Champagnes, the great whites of Burgundy or reds of Bordeaux - to more modest wines often sold only in France.
Here at Red&White we pride ourselves on our selection fo French wines with many of our range imported direct from the producer. Liam's passion for France is obvious and he spends a great deal of time travelling and tasting thorughout the regions of France to ensure that every bottle we supply is a truly superb example of its kind.
This selection of 12 wines, 6 red and 6 white, perfectly represent what France is all about. Great wines with character from innovative producers that show true value for money. We could write a thesis on the merrits and complexities of French wine - but we'd rather let the wines speak for themselves, so why not treat yourself and your friends this Christmas to some French treats!
ALL WINES FROM FRANCE CAN BE PURCHASED AS A MIXED CASE OR AS INDIVIDUAL BOTTLES AND ARE OFFERED AT A DISCOUNT OF 5% OFF LIST PRICE WHEN PURCHASING ONLINE OR 10% OFF LIST PRICE WHEN BUYING IN OUR WINE STORE.
Sauvignon Blanc, Domaine Begude, 2008
Domaine Montmarin Merlot, Cotes de Thongue, 2007
Packed with deep, dark berry fruit and nuanced hints of cocoa, herb and earth with a soft structure. Its velvety texture makes Merlot instantly appealing and an obvious alternative to similar, more tannic Bordeaux varieties
PRICE PER BOTTLE: £6.74
Product Ref: 03MON2B
Minervois, Hecht & Bannier, 2006
This wine from innovative Languedoc and Roussillon wine producer - Hecht & Bannier is mostly syrah with a bit of grenache added. It's a bright and peppery wine that offers concentrated red fruits, Provencal herbs, black pepper and truffle salt highlights. Its tannins are smooth but a little chalky, lending some definition and texture to the finish.
PRICE PER BOTTLE: £10.29
Product Ref: 03HEC03B
l'Enclos de Chateau Lezongars, Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, 2003
One of our favourtie Chateaux in Bordeaux, especially as Liam will soon be taking a very hands-on role in their wine production - this cuvée has a delicious ripe and sweet nose, very open and aromatic, showing notes of roasted herbs. Creamy and concentrated on the palate, very ripe, with lots of tannin but also with very good acidity. Plenty of concentrated fruit flavour here. This is simply delicious!
PRICE PER BOTTLE: £11.65
Product Ref: 05LEZ03B
Macon Villages, Le Moulin du Pont, Auvigue, 2008
Light, lively medium bodied Macon Chardonnay with a hint of green apples, dried straw and an aromatic honey finish. A superb examlpe of this fine Burgundian white that compliments any white meat dish.
PRICE PER BOTTLE: £9.89
Product Ref: 06AUV1B
Chablis, Jean-Marc Brocard, 2007
A lovely, clean, somewhat youthful but complex lemony nose with a hint of pear and some nice mineral notes are backed up on the palate which is green, zesty and incredibly steely - just what good Chablis should be! Great with fish, salads and white meat.
PRICE PER BOTTLE: £11.95
Product Ref: 06BRO2B
Beaujolais Villages, Domaine les Tours de Montmelas, 2007
Fantastic quality Beaujolais produced from ripe and juicy Gamay grapes. Typical of good Beaujolais, the fruit in this wine literally jumps out the glass. The palate is soft and with no harsh tannins incredibly easy with or without food.
PRICE PER BOTTLE: £7.50
Product Ref: 06MON1B
Sancerre, Domaine de la Chezatte, 2008
The home of Sauvignon Blanc.Very pale in colour with crisp gooseberry, lemon and cut grass notes on both the nose and palate alongside flinty, minerally notes. Mouth-watering acidity keeps everything as fresh as a daisy!
PRICE PER BOTTLE: £12.44
Product Ref: 07CHE1B
Muscadet 'Sur Lie', Clos de la Chapelle, Jousseliniere, 2008
A grape with long roots in France's Loire valley, Melon de Bourgogne is most famous as the grape responsible for the wines of Muscadet. It produces white wines that are light bodied and zesty with contrasting mineral and citrus tones. The perfect partner to any nice fish dish
PRICE PER BOTTLE: £6.84
Product Ref: 07CHO1B
Gewurztraminer, Cave de Turkheim, 2007
Turckheim is a superb example of an off-dry Gewurztraminer. Predominant notes of honey, rose, and lychee are well-matched with highlights of ginger spice, apple and passionfruit. A curious, but very pleasant grassy quality and on the palate - a hint of sweetness, honey and dried pineapple. The warm finish and very good length make it oddly suited to winter sipping and it wil work wonderfully as an aperitif or with spicey asian dishes.
PRICE PER BOTTLE: £9.25
Product Ref: 09TUR2B
Crozes Hermitages, Domaine Remizieres, Phillippe Desmeure, 2006
Deep red. Intensely spicy red fruit aromas, with a strong floral accent. The juicy, focused raspberry and strawberry flavors are nicely framed by fine-grained tannins. Finishes sweet and persistent, a perfect winter warming indulgence!
PRICE PER BOTTLE: £12.95
Product Ref: 10DES1B
Champagne Gremillet, NV
You can't have Christmas without Champagne - and this delicious bottle from Gremillet is a lovely example of why we love this famous wine style so much. We like small producers here at RED&WHITE, and Gremillet typify the kind of beautifully formed, family-owned winery that we love!
Due to its southern latitude the grapes achieve greater ripeness which leads to a richer fruit, and classic 'baked-biscuit' flavours mixed with characteristic toasty yeast overtones. This champagne shows fine mousse in the glass and fresh floral aromas, with a crisp citrus finish. Great for celebrations, but even better when you feel like a spot of lurid self-indulgence. Go on, treat yourself...
PRICE PER BOTTLE: £20.65
Product Ref: 01GRE01B
France Mixed Case
A mixed case of one of each of our French wines listed here to give you a full flavour of this wonderfully varied and charasmatic wine producing nation
PRICE PER CASE (12): £122.00
Product Ref: FRAMIX
