Red Trio Wine Club - August 2012
Learn the finer points to many of the wines we offer each month. Our club wines are expertly researched and selected for quality, value and uniqueness and every one has an interesting history. Here are some of the wines we are offering this month:
Les Caves Fleury - France
2009 Leo Vinis Bordeaux
The Bordeaux region in southwestern France has been famed in the wine trade for centuries. Bordeaux produces more classified wine than any other region in France. Bordeaux is most noted for the red wines of exceptional quality that it produces. Based on the centuries of grape growing and winemaking history in the region, the local regulations allow only six grape varieties to be used in the production of red wine. (You can actually grow whatever you want, but only the 6 authorized red grapes can be used in red wines labeled 'Bordeaux'). Of these grapes, only 5 are really in use today. They are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. The sixth grape, Carmenère, is nearly impossible to find in the region today. The percentage of each grape variety used in a particular red Bordeaux wine can change from year to year, depending on the climate, and how each variety has fared during the growing season. The percentage also varies from one wine estate to another. Les Caves Fleury has blended just two of these varietals for their 2009 vintage: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2009 is Merlot dominated (75%) which has helped make it both rich and soft. This blend has a wood element that broadens the texture and enhances the black plum and berry flavors. The wine is ready now and will keep through 2014. Serve at room temperature with T-bone steaks, spicy dishes or strongly flavored cheeses.
Signum Gemini - Italy
2010 Rosso Salento IGT
Since Signum Gemini's inception, their mission has been to become the leading winemaker in Puglia, producing quality, balanced wines. In 2001, Signum Gemini hired world-renowned Australian winemaker Chris Ringland to oversee the winemaking process in Puglia. Chris Ringland, the highly reputed winemaker of Barossa's Three River and Greenock Creek, joined Signum Gemini for the next 4 vintages. The current winemaker is Giuseppe Caragnulo. A native of Puglia, Caragnulo offers the winemaking team at Signum Gemini more than 20 years of winemaking experience in the region and a vast knowledge of the native grapes. Signum Gemini specializes in the Primitivo and Negroamaro varietals. The Primitivo grows in forty to eighty-year-old vineyards. The Negroamaro is sourced chiefly from vineyards around the town of Novoli and Cellino San Marco. This 2010 Rosso is made up of Negromaro and Sangiovese. Visually the wine is an intense, bright ruby red color. It is highly perfumed with strong, lingering sweet fruity notes, persistent with hints of fresh fruit and preserves. The flavor is well-balanced, soft velvety, fresh and fragrant, owing to a pleasant underlying acidity which lends it vigor and persistence on the palate. This wine is ready now and with proper cellaring will age gracefully through 2015. It is ideal with vegetable soups, first courses of vegetables and pasta, white meat and medium aged cheese.
la Petite France - France
2011 Vin de France Rouge
la Petite France (the Little France) is a fun and fruity new line of wines from Les Vins Aujoux. Located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Languedoc-Roussillon covers the area on the border of the Mediterranean sea between the west of the Rhône and Camargue to the border of Spain and the Pyrénées mountains. The vineyards of this sunny region are one of the largest expanses of vine growing region in the world. Long history of wine making and favorable natural and climatic conditions explain why wine is so important in Languedoc Roussillon. Dramatic changes have been made other the years to reduce the production and to improve the quality of the wine. Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon are produced here along with exclusive French red varietals such as Lladoner Pelut, Picpoul Noir, and Terret Noir. This vintage is comprised of classic French varieties (Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan ) that produced a fresh and jammy wine meant to be consumed young like a Beaujolais Nouveau. The wine pours a vivid ruby. It carries alluring aromas of cinnamon, strawberry and flowers, with a subtle undercurrent of pungent herbs. Velvety in texture and showing no hard edges. Smooth, sappy and gently sweet, with good finishing cling. Serve this with a light chill alongside some garlicky sausages or salty cheeses.
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