Box: September 2015

France is just TOO SEXY

For this September, I decided to skip the whole back to school rush and stress theme and go for something completely different. Get you mind off the wake up early and rush to school stress. This month is the sexy box!

So what makes this box so sexy? Apart from some lovely wines from the South of France, a couple are really full of “l’amour”. Be it the Vino Libido red, or “Juste un Doigt” rose, this is just confirmation that wine makers can be really dirty buggers ;-)

Getting back to business, we have the entire Cabanes collection from wine maker Christophe Barbier. I was introduced to this wine maker from Dominique at our partner Chez Greg and it made a huge impression. The Terres Salees was with out question one of the best whites I have tasted this year. No suprise that is is sold in more than a dozen Michelin starred restaurants in France. Les Cabanes is a bit simpler, but the quality of the winemaker shows through in each of these. Another great surprise was the Costieres de Nimes from the area of the Pont du Gard. A fantastic place to visit if you haven’t been yet, this is a fantastically smooth red for its category (and its alcohol content!) and a great introduction for you out there where are less familiar with Syrah.

And back to the sex ?! We would never be so cheap as to include a wine just because of a catchy label. The content is sexy too. One is probably our first every 100% Mourvedre and offers a fruity less bitter easy drink suitable for just about anything.

So put the kids to bed and break out one of these for a steamy night right at home ;-)

Enjoy these wines from South of France.

 

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Tempete Blanc

Wine description:

  • Country: France
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 13,5%
  • Style: Medium-bodied dry white wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Supplier: Chez Greg Père et Fils Praha
  • Price: 349 Kč

Mike's Tip

You may remember wines from Richemer from the start of this year. Well this one is from the premium vines and delivers a very powerful nose and mouth. A little oak and a lot of fruit, this one lingers in the mouth and is a pleasure to have around. This is one of the premium whites from all over the Marseillan. (Chardonnay - Sauvignon - Viognier - Muscat)

Les Cabanes White

Wine description:

  • Country: France
  • Grape: Chardonnay
  • Alcohol: 12,5%
  • Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
  • Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
  • Supplier: Chez Greg Père et Fils Praha
  • Price: 235 Kč

Mike's Tip

The first of the "Cabanes" series from winery Christophe BARBIER, this fresh and lightly oak aged chardonnay comes from the hills facing the Mediterranean sea. Not complicated and giving a great value from the region (that we keep going back too!)

Les Cabanes Rouge

Wine description:

  • Country: France
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • Style: Medium-bodied red wine
  • Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
  • Supplier: Chez Greg Père et Fils Praha
  • Price: 235 Kč

Mike's Tip

Be ready! the grenache and syrah combination delivers a spicy combination. Look for green pepper flavors that may need to grow on you. Bests to let this one air out for an hour or so before combining with a big pork chop. This is not a spicy food wine, take something a bit milder and let the wine spice it up!

(10% Syrah, 10% Merlot, 80%Grenache)

Les Cabanes růžové

Wine description:

  • Country: France
  • Grape: Cinsault
  • Alcohol: 12,5%
  • Style: Light and refreshing rose wine
  • Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
  • Supplier: Chez Greg Père et Fils Praha
  • Price: 235 Kč

Mike's Tip

Popsáno nejlépe jako „lepší než lístek s TGV na pláž“ neboli další úžasná středomořská odrůda, která vás bude opravdu bavit. Trochu menší obsah alkoholu zjemní víno v ústech a pije se téměř samo. Perfektní víno pro posezení s přáteli u sklenky či vícero:-)

In Vino Libido

Wine description:

  • Country: France
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • Style: Medium-bodied red wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Supplier: Chez Greg Père et Fils Praha
  • Price: 250 Kč

Mike's Tip

Finally something really sexy (literally) Not only is it a fun bottle to put out on the table for your guests, but I found it surprisingly light for the a syrah blend. Far, less spicy than the grenache based wines from this region, this was a good "go with everything" red wine that can be easily be drank under the covers ;-) Even the winemaker says, "Remember that red wine has very surprising virtues..."

(Carignan 50%, Syrah 50%)

Juste un Doigt

Wine description:

  • Country: France
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • Style: Light and refreshing rose wine
  • Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
  • Supplier: Chez Greg Père et Fils Praha
  • Price: 260 Kč

Mike's Tip

Very subtle, dirty little bastards at the chateau. I won't go into the translation here, but suffice to say, the definitely had their Libido in gear! The wine was great too :-) Mourvedre makes a very subtle fruity wine that is less spicy than a Grenache. Nothing complicated here, justa great quality that will go with most anything that involves "gaucing".

(winery Chateau de Valflaunes, 100% Mourvedre)

Anne de Joyeuse Chardonnay Original

Wine description:

  • Country: France
  • Grape: Chardonnay
  • Alcohol: 13,5%
  • Style: Rich, semidry white wine aged in oak
  • Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
  • Supplier: Chez Greg Père et Fils Praha
  • Price: 235 Kč

Mike's Tip

This is a rich and creamy "American" style chardonnay with big oak flavor and a very round finish. Not at all like a Chablis, this is more long finish and flowers. An easy drink that will please most unless you are more a mineral acidity junky - like myself...

Costieres de Nimes

Wine description:

  • Country: France
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 14,5%
  • Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Supplier: Chez Greg Père et Fils Praha
  • Price: 235 Kč

Mike's Tip

Think "Pont du Gard". If you have seen it, you will know that feeling of WOW and that was how I felt with this one. Unbelievably subtle for 14.5%, and a fantastic value. It must of been the water from the "Pont" (or just the view). ps. If lost, just GOOGLE Pont du Gard.

(Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre)