So, of course, I was the first one there. Ian Blackburn, the founder of Learn About Wine, was there to greet his guests and I spent a few minutes taking in my surroundings.
The Setting
The large airy “loft” is beautifully framed with Riedel stemware, wooden wine boxes, framed maps of wine regions and other wine-related fine art. In the largest area, tables were set for at least 40 guests, each with five tasting glasses.
Adjacent to the tables was a large television monitor our speaker would use during his presentation, and further, tables with wine and staff from Church and State restaurant busily prepared cheeses and crusty bread to start, and a lunch that was to come later.
One wall was dedicated to Ian’s new built-in cellar. OMG…that was the only distraction.
Ian’s events are always classy. And this one was sure to be a hit. I knew exactly what was to happen: We’d be introduced to the region, gain an education, have a guided tasting and then chat over lunch. There was only one surprise…I was being given an opportunity to taste wines I had never had before.
As Fred guided us through the region, I have to admit, I was trying to decipher the aromas and flavors in the wines. (I will give you a synopsis of the lesson in my conclusion.)
For my wine 101ers the word Rouge is the word for Red in French. The notations of PGI and PDO are acronyms for designated wine denomination rules used in Europe. PGI is Protected Geographical Indication, which now includes wines previously known as “vin de pays.” PDO is the English acronym for Protected Designation of Origin, in France it is now the AOP for Appellation d’Origine Protégée. And, if you can keep up, Appellation d’Origine Protégée, AOP, used to be known as AOC in France. Guessing they gave up Control for Protégée…
PGI: Gascogne
Colombelle Blanc Sec, 2010
(80% Colombard, 20% Sauvignon et Ugni Blanc)
Aromas of green apple, grapefruit; with a taste of high acid, nice viscosity, medium finish.
PGI: Comte Tolosan:
Tarani Malbec, Rouge, 2009
(100% Malbec)
Nose full of stemmy mushrooms and stewed figs. The taste was really different and unexpected, with mushroom, pepper, dry tannins and a long finish.
PGI Cotes de Gascogne:
Domaine Duffour Blanc Sec, 2010
(80% Colombard, 20% Gros-Manseng)
Pleasant floral nose with apple and honey, plenty of lemon on the taste, followed by acidity, lime with a medium finish. Very much like a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
PDO Gaillac:
Domaine du Moulin, Blanc Sec, 2007
(95% Sauvignon from 35 year-old vines, 5% Loin de l’oeil from 30 year-old vines)
A grassy nose with lemon and butter was followed by similar flavor characteristics as well as acidity and hay.
PDO Sanit-Mont:
Les Vignes Retrouvees, Blanc Sec, 2009
(60% Gros Manseng, 20% Peiti Courbu, 20% Arrufiac)
Aromas of sugary lemonade, cinnamon and toast were followed by green apple, medium acidity and grapefruit in the mouth, with a pleasant medium to long length.
PDO Marcillac:
Domaine Matha, Cuvee Lairis, Rouge, 2009
(100% Mansois)
The nose on this one was really different for me: cooked beets, stewed plums, slightly astringent, bell pepper. The taste was dry, with dusty plum and pepper. The finish was medium length with some nice tannins.
PDO Fronton:
Chateau le Roc, Le Classique, Rouge, 2009
(70% Negrette, 20% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon)
There were some Cab characteristics on the nose; wet soil, dark fruit, somewhat vegetal, green peppercorn. Dry taste with fruit and a hint of mushroom, finishing with a medium length.
PDO Gaillac:
Domaine Rotier, Les Gravels, Rouge, 2008
(40% Duras, 25% Braucol, 35% Syrah)
Liked the nose, reminiscent of a Nouveau Beaujolais but with some slight vegetation and a surprise of chocolate. The taste was dry, with nuance of spice, cherry, bell peppers and a surprisingly long, almost tangy, finish.
PD Cahors:
Pigmentum, Malbec, Rouge, 2009
(100% Malbec)
My nose picked up some dusty cherry and herbaceous mint, the taste was dry, with black fruit hanging in for a long finish.
PDO Madiran:
Domaine Berthoumieu, Cuvee Charles de Batz, Rouge, 2007
(90% Tannat, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon)
Very aromatic nose – but as I may have been having slight palate fatigue and the beautiful aromas of lunch were wafting my way too – I only detected chocolate and mint. The taste was dry, tannic with deep plum holding through to a long finish.
PDO Madiran:
Chateau Peyros, Vieilles Vignes, Rouge, 2005
(100% Tannat)
A very “meaty” nose and then came aromas of stewed plums and white pepper. The taste was extremely dry, peppery, with nuances of tobacco. Bone dry finish.
PDO Irouleguy:
Domaine Ilarria, Rouge, 2008
Chocolate, cigar and bell pepper on the nose with dark cherry and tannins on the taste, a medium finish.
Conclusion
Trying to figure out where the South West wine region of France is? Find Toulouse on a map, then widen your eyes. There are 7 main appellations, many of which you just tasted virtually. Fred said that rivers flow through all of the regions; rivers being important for grape growing areas.
The wines, as I described above, are great food wines. And, as I recall from my Wine and Spirit Education Trust classes, French wines are made to go with food. When we got to the Church and State lunch (pictured above), that included two pork dishes, I swear that the chef used some of the red wines we tasted today in her recipes. The pairing was that good. Like an echo of the wine.
It was almost impossible, though Fred prompted us several times, to name other wines, or regions, similar to what we were tasting. So much so that we were often, pleasantly, stumped.
In conclusion, I look forward to having both the whites and reds again, with food, by the glass or by the bottle, and for very reasonable prices in our finer local stores, wine bars or restaurants soon!
Thanks LearnAboutWine!
Yours, in wine and out,
Eve Bushman
Eve Bushman is a local writer that specializes in writing about wine. You can find great articles by Eve on her blog at http://www.evewine101.com or email her at [email protected]. Her commentaries represent her own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization she may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon. Eve also writes at http://scvelitemagazine.com and you can follow Eve’s Wine 101 on Facebook and Twitter!
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