Perfect Photo by Alison Levine! – French Tasting with Friends
(L-R) Anthony Dias Blue, Michael Horn, Juliana McCNulty, Joel Fisher
Recent recent months brought varied tastings. The French Wine Connection introduced wines from eight regions and smaller wineries .to a lighter crowd. One region is Languedoc , where I have yet to visit wineries . Domaine Henri Schoenheitz, from the Loire , presented a 2005 Gewujrztraminer ‘Holder,” which I liked. This should sell for $22. Their Riesling “Holder” Vendanges Tardive (1996) I thought lovely. A fair price at $50.00.
Chateau Fantin, of Bordeaux , near St. Emilion, poured their Chateau Cantelaudette Blanc Couvee 2006, a blend, nice, too. No oak is used; the bottle sells for $15 or so. The 2006 Chateau Cantelaudette Graves de Vayres, is very nice; about $11 for half bottle. Blended from Semillion, Cinsault and Muscadelle, with lots of fruit, and nicely zesty. I liked it.
Champagne Dumangin is a champagne I’ve not previously tasted. I enjoyed chatting with Giles Dumangin and discovering they produce 150,000 bottles a year .His 2006 Champagne Dumangin Brut 17 (2004) is dry, good fruit, bubbly,. bit yeasty and lovely. Should sell at $40. The 2003 can be found at $45.00. 25% of production is derived from Champagne Dumangin Rose, a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. I thought the wine was fruity, yet provides a nice, dry mouthful. Their Champagne Premier Cru 1999, a lovely blend of 56% Chardonnay and 44% Pinot Noir, comes from a single vineyard with great white fruit.
From Languedoc comes Domaine La Croix- Belle. Le Champ du Coq 2005 (Cotes de Thongue ) Costing approx. $15, this was very nice with Cheddar. The 2005 Le Champ des Lys (a blend of Genache and Viognier, approx. $15+) possessed a lovely taste, a great peach nose, with other floral aromas and drank well.
Domaine Joseph Mellot , producer of nice Sancerre’s, presented their Vin de Pays du
Jardin de la France which was nice, fruity and costing around $14. The “Sincerite” , label, from the Cabernet Franc grape was balanced, showed nice acidity and tannins and was quite approachable. Sancerre Blanc “La Grande Chatelaine 2003 was more floral, more fruity, with an acidic finish, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Chateau Beaulieu is one of three wineries in Provence owned by PGA Domaine. Their 2003 Blanc (from Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion and Rolle) was an interesting wine. Their 2003 Chateau Beaulieu Rouge, made from Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah was full of pepper and spices and will cost around $15. Chateau des Gavelles Rouge 2005, blended from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, had lots of berry fruits, was clean, balanced, good colors, a nice and enthusiastic wine, costing about $11.00
Regardless or maybe because of, price, these wines are worth exploring. Cheers – Joel
Posted by Joel 
