Local wines: great finds

[John Talbott]

emsny on another topic said

....let me interject that if you are eating in a fancy restaurant outside Paris it can be very rewarding to ask about local or at least regional wines rather than going right to the fifty pages of Famous Chateaux. Such restaurants and their wine buyers are likely to have good relationships with winemakers in the neighborhood, and it is possible to raise quite a bit of enthusiasm in a sommelier by asking about little-known local bottlings. Even in Paris, the owner's/chef's/sommelier's "home" region (no one is FROM Paris, of course) can be fertile ground for exploration at a reasonable price.

I cannot list or recall the number of times I've said the equivalent of "so, what wines do you make around here that are interesting?" and received a great bottle (which sometimes leads to ordering up a case.) Sure, in the great regions, including now Languedoc-Roussillon, one expects good stuff, but try it in outposts. My most revealing was in Andorra. Your experience, folks?

[Abra]

Having just returned from the Pays Basque, I have to say that I enjoyed the wines from their local Irouleguy appellation. It's gutsy, not too refined, and goes great with the local food that's slightly spicy. But I haven't been able to find it here - I wish I'd brought some home with me.

[Dave Hatfield]

Having just returned from the Pays Basque, I have to say that I enjoyed the wines from their local Irouleguy appellation.  It's gutsy, not too refined, and goes great with the local food that's slightly spicy.  But I haven't been able to find it here - I wish I'd brought some home with me.

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Try to find some Madiran. Same grape (tannat) from the same region.

There are some very nice ones out there.

PS: FYI Armagnac is made from the same grape.

[Dave Hatfield]

emsny on another topic said

....let me interject that if you are eating in a fancy restaurant outside Paris it can be very rewarding to ask about local or at least regional wines rather than going right to the fifty pages of Famous Chateaux. Such restaurants and their wine buyers are likely to have good relationships with winemakers in the neighborhood, and it is possible to raise quite a bit of enthusiasm in a sommelier by asking about little-known local bottlings. Even in Paris, the owner's/chef's/sommelier's "home" region (no one is FROM Paris, of course) can be fertile ground for exploration at a reasonable price.

I cannot list or recall the number of times I've said the equivalent of "so, what wines do you make around here that are interesting?" and received a great bottle (which sometimes leads to ordering up a case.) Sure, in the great regions, including now Languedoc-Roussillon, one expects good stuff, but try it in outposts. My most revealing was in Andorra. Your experience, folks?

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Spot on, John. The problem is where does one start?

Buzet? (Bordeaux blend of grapes, hyper Market prices.)

Cotes de Roussillon? Some amazing whites!

Corbiers? Knock your socks off reds at very low prices.

Gaillac? Huge range of wine, whites, reds, desserts, fizzy. My favorite Domaine Chandon makes something they call 'Gallian' in both red & white. Both are absolutely delicious. 5 for the white & 9 for the red. 90% of their production is exported. The appellation abounds with good producers.

Quercy? Small area, but some nice stuff including Domaine du Merchien

successfully run by an English couple. (We get our wonderful free range turkeys from their children.) Our favorite is Domaine d'Aries. Or as Linda says "grandma's wine" because every time we go to buy she comes out in her slippers to open up the tasting room. We get all of her family news as we buy. Their's is a true mixed farm; pigs, cows, rabbits, chickens, duck, geese and, of course, a phalanx of dogs to greet you & cats to keep the rodents down. The wine ain't bad & you can buy by the bidon, box or bottle.

I could keep going, but all I'm really doing is reinforcing your point. Ask what's local. Normally the locals are proud of what they make & will serve up what they consider their best stuff. Its a great way to make friends.