Meeting 304 - Posh Castles and Up and Coming Ventoux Speaker: Sophie Vestringhe
Held
at
Sophie gave us a good tour of the wines of Ventoux
and Chateau Neuf du Pape. The Aperitif, a Muscat de Baume de Venise was unusual
and some suggested it might have gone better with the blue cheese that came
later. Sopie said that only a few percent of the wines produced in Ventoux are
white. The two wines we tasted seemed to support the idea that the growers
couldn't seem make up their minds as to what might be characteristic of the area.
The first, Cave de Lumieres, made from White Granache and Clairette had a good
fragrant nose and pleasant lemony fruit with a clean acidic finish, but would
not stand up to whites from many other parts of the world at a similar price.
The Viognier of Domaine de la Verriere from Vaucluse was better but it wasn't
clear that the 6 months in oak had improved it.
Of the red wines, the most popular Ventoux was the Domaine
de la Verriere. With 50% Syrah and 40% Grenache, it showed typical Southern
French sunshine. With a dark, almost purple colour and berry fruit nose, the
full fruit body and approachable tannin, it made for a well balanced wine which
will certainly last a few years. The best Chateau Neuf du Pape was the Domaine
Pierre Usseglio.
Overall a very interesting tasting but there were some reservations about the prices.
Aperitif: Muscat de Beaumes de Venise, Domaine du Fenouillet 2005
| The Whites | Rating | Price* |
| Côtes du Ventoux, Cave de Lumieres, Aubepine 2006 | 8 preferred | £7.50 |
| Vine de Pays de Vaucluse, Domaine de la Verriere, Viognier 2006 | 24 preferred | £9.00 |
| The Reds | ||
| Côtes du Ventoux, Cave de Bonnieux, Terres Rouges 2004 | 6 | £6.50 |
| Côtes du Ventoux, Domaine de la Verriere, La Haut de la Jacotte 2003 | 8 | £9.50 |
| Chateauneuf du Pape, Domaine de la Côte de l'Ange 2005 | 7+ | £15.00 |
| Chateauneuf du Pape, Domaine Pierre Usseglio 2004 | 8+ | £19.00 |
| The Supper Wines | ||
| Côtes du Ventoux, Les Vignerons du Mont Ventoux VMV Elite 2003 | ||
| Chateauneuf du Pape, Domaine Paul Autard 2004 |
Note: * The prices are approximate as several of the wines were obtained direct from the vineyards.
Supper Planned & Prepared by Charlotte. See the Menu