Category Archives: France – Other

Château de Corcelles, Vin de France (France) Gamay “Les Copains d’Abord” 2018

($18, Seaview Imports):  Château de Corcelles, an historic property located just east of Villé-Morgon, produces a range of Beaujolais.  They also produce this wine, entirely from Gamay, presumably, from vines that are located just outside of the Beaujolais delimited zone.  Though it has the charm of Beaujolais, they can’t legally call it that. Read more

Maison Louis Latour, IGP Ardèche (France) Chardonnay “Grand Ardèche” 2012

($15, Louis Latour USA): Maison Louis Latour, a top-notch Burgundy négociant founded over 200 years ago, branched out into the Ardèche, a sleepy area of central France, 25 years ago to have a go with Chardonnay there.  It was their first venture outside of Burgundy and continues to be a resounding success because of the outstanding value of the wines they produce there. Read more

Domaine du Tariquet, Côte de Gascogne (Gascony, France) Chenin – Chardonnay 2010

($9, Robert Kacher Selections):  Domaine des Salices, another François Lurton estate, makes a lovely array of wines from the Languedoc region in the southwest of France.  Taking advantage of the looser regulations of the Vin de Pays designation (as opposed to the stricter appellation controllée rules), they sell the wines using varietal names. … Read more

Marcel Lapierre, Vin de France (France) “Raisins Gaulois Gamay IX” NV

($14, Kermit Lynch):  Marcel Lapierre, an excellent Morgon producer, has high standards.  He believes that his “young” Gamay vines, those under 30 years old–most New World producers consider 30-year old vines “old”–do not produce suitable fruit for his Morgon, so he bottles wine made from those vines under the new appellation called Vin de France. … Read more

Marcel Lapierre, Vin de France (France) “Raisins Gaulois Gamay IX” NV

($14, Kermit Lynch):  Marcel Lapierre, an excellent Morgon producer, has high standards.  He believes that his “young” Gamay vines, those under 30 years old–most New World producers consider 30-year old vines “old”–do not produce suitable fruit for his Morgon, so he bottles wine made from those vines under the new appellation called Vin de France. … Read more

Château de Paraza, Minervois (Sud Ouest, France) “Cuvée Spéciale” 2007

($12, Russell Herman World Wines Source):  This typical Mediterranean blend–Syrah (40%), Grenache (40%) and Mourvèdre–delivers a pleasant combination of spice and black cherry fruit-like flavors.  There’s unusual suaveness in this mid-weight wine.  Mild tannins and a lively juiciness makes it an excellent choice for immediate consumption. … Read more