Wine Fan says:
So what do we want to try next? The Champagnes were great, but maybe a little expensive? Since it's been cold recently here I would be up for something red, and from the South. Italian. Sicilian even. Or I guess we could just venture farther South in France. The Languedoc? Corbieres?
What do you guys think?
submitted 630 days ago
Diane B says:
I have some bottles that I bought while I was in Roussillon last year and I would love to have an excuse to open one or two of them. What do you say to Roussillon on the 9th of March?
submitted 629 days ago
Larry P says:
I know nothing about Roussillon wines, except that it's a region somewhere in the South of France. I guess this could give me a chance to expand my horizons. Is it part of the Languedoc appellation, or just in the same area? Are both reds and whites made there?
I'll have to see what I can find,in terms of both information and wine.
submitted 629 days ago
Larry P says:
It turns out that Roussillon is very very large, unless you meant the Cotes de Roussillon? Maybe we should make it more specific. Where are your wines from Diane?
submitted 628 days ago
Diane B says:
My wines are from a variety of sub-appellations. Why don't we make it the Cotes du Roussillon, either Village or regular? There are some really great Vins de Pays (like the Vin de pays des Côtes Catalanes) being made in this area too, but I don't know how easy they are to find in the States.
submitted 628 days ago
Sam says:
Let's stick to the Cotes du Roussillon reds for this one.
submitted 627 days ago
Larry P says:
I've already found my Cotes du Roussillon, so I'll be ready to go for Friday! Looking forward to it.
Just FYI this is what I found out about the appellation...
-historically a low quality bulk wine region, but some properties now producing better (higher priced) wines.
- 3 major regions - the plains in the south-east, the hills of the south-west, and the limestone schist mountains in the North
- Red varietals allowed are Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and Lledoner Pelut(!!?).
- Many different white varietasl including Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, Tourbat, Marsanne, Roussanne...
- Roses are also made (saignée).
The Cotes du Roussillon-Villages AOC's are in the North, close to Perpignan.
submitted 626 days ago
Wine Fan says:
There are some great producers in les Cotes du Roussillon - Domaine Gauby is probably the most well-known, but also Olivier Pithon (cousin of Jo Pithon, I think) and Domaine de Rancy.
I have a couple of bottles I can pull out for the occasion. See you all Friday.
submitted 626 days ago
Wine Fan says:
We opened two bottles of Cotes du Roussillon last night - one white and one red, and ended up pleased with both. The white was from La Preceptorie de Centernach. I have heard some good things about his producer but it's the first time I've actually tasted one of their wines. Based on my experience with this wine I would definitely be open to sampling some others. (I didn't add the white to our tasting cluster, since we did specify reds, but you can find it in my tasting journal.)
The red was a 2001 Cotes de Roussillon Villages by Domaine de Rancy. We have had this wine before and are always impressed with the quality to price ratio. I think you can definitely still find some very fairly priced wines of significant quality among the Cotes du Roussillon Villages.
Here is some information about the Rancy (copied from the winery website)...
2.09 ha of vineyards, with schist soils, are located in Latour de France and Tautavel.
80% Carignan
10% Grenache
10% Syrah
Yield: 20hl/ha
3 week maceration with foot stomping
Syrah and Grenache stored in new Seguin Moreau barrels for 6 months. Carignan stored in tank.
No fining or filtering.
Bottled in June 2001.
Final blending in May 2001
submitted 620 days ago
Diane B says:
Larry P says: