French Wine Gift - Unique Wines from Independent French Growers

Wine of the Month: October 2004

The descriptions found below are the ones you will find with your monthly shipment of two bottles of fine wine from the French Wine Club.

Red: Réserve Grand Veneur, Côtes du Rhône 2003

In 1320 Pope Jean XXII planted the first vines of Chateauneuf du Pape, but it was only in 1360 that the wines of the region gained fame. Oddly enough, the wine that gave Chateauneuf du Pape its reputation was the white one, not the red one!

The Domaine Grand Veneur is located near the city of Orange in the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation area.

The vineyard of Alain Jaume is planted on plateaux made of clay and stones. The grape varietals are 75% Grenache noir, 10% Syrah and 15% Cinsault. Réserve Grand Veneur has a purple-tinged garnet color, aromas of fresh berries (wild raspberry, blackcurrant, blackberry) and spices. The palate is full-flavored, with silky-smooth tannins. The finish offers notes of liquorice and pepper.

To order, click here: Bottle ($14.75), Case ($141.60).

White: Domaine Trois Frères, Chardonnay 2002

The Loire valley is mostly white wine country. Muscadet, Saumur, Sancerre Pouilly, these are familiar names. Chinon, Bourgeuil or Sancerre Rouge are produced in small quantity. The Domaine des Trois Frères (Three Brothers) is located in the Muscadet region near the city of Nantes on the Atlantic Ocean.

The Couillard brothers joined together in 1978 to expand the original small family holding to its present size. They decided to start producing Chardonnay. It became a success and found great acceptance in Europe, Japan, and now the United States. The Domaine Trois Frères received the Appellation of “Vin de Pays” as it is produced in the heart of the Muscadet area.

This Chardonnay is rich and fruity with a round malolactic mouthfeel. It is a Chardonnay drinker's delight.

To order, click here: Bottle ($14.75), Case ($141.60).

Previous Wine of the Month Selections:

September 2004:
Red: Merlot d’Hauterive 2002
White: Domaine des Cassagnoles, Cuvée Gros Manseng 2003

August 2004:
Red: Domaine du Sacré-Coeur, St-Chinian 2000
White: Domaine de la Bachellery, Vin de Pays d'Oc 2003

July 2004:
Red: Shiraz 2002 Laurent Miquel Nord-Sud
White: Viognier 2003 Laurent Miquel Nord-Sud

June 2004:
Red: Clos de L'Escandil 1999, Minervois La Livinière
White: Domaine Lalanne 2002, Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne

May 2004:
Red: Les Domaines Paul Mas “Vignes de Nicole” - Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah 2001
White: Les Domaines Paul Mas “Vignes de Nicole” - Chardonnay-Viognier 2002

April 2004:
Red: Cuvée de Pena 2001
White: Vin de Pays de l'Aude: La Noble

March 2004:
Red: Côte Chalonnaise 1999
White: Domaine Schlumberger, Pinot Blanc 2002

February 2004:
Red: Château la Bastide, Cabardes, 1999
White: Domaine de Rieux 2002

January 2004:
Red: Julienas 2001
White: Domaine de Molines 1999, Vin de Pays du Gard

December 2003:
Red: Château Castegens, Côtes de Castillon 1998
White: Domaine de Molines 1999, Vin de Pays du Gard

November 2003:
Red: Moulin d'Eole Costières de Nîmes 2001 (Languedoc-Roussillon)
White: Vouvray 1999, Domaine du Clos de l’Epinay, Cuvée Marcus (Loire Valley)

October 2003:
Red: Domaine du Vieux Chêne, Cuvée des Capucines, Côtes du Rhone 2001
White: Ile La Forge, Viognier 2002, Languedoc-Roussillon

September 2003:
Red: Château Reysson 1998, Cru Bourgeois Haut-Médoc
White: Château les Tuileries 2002

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