Spittoon - New Wines from the Ventoux
Andrew has posted details of some new wines from the Cotes du Ventoux - i.e. Vaucluse in Provence south of the fine vineyards of Vaqueyras and Gigondas (into what was known as "Peter Mayle Country").
It is an area which can produce some good little wines - a little less hot and later ripening than the neighbouring Cotes du Rhone, and consequently the wines (predominantly red and rosé) can be a little lighter in both body and alcohol. Grapes used are mainly Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Carignan for the reds and rosés, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Ugni Blanc for the whites.
Now I do moan about the often lacklustre presentation of French Wines, which does little to tempt consumers to try what are often excellent, if sometimes complex wines now being produced in France. But the sheer awful gaudiness of the presentation of these wines makes me shudder. OK, they will certainly stand out on the shelf, and if they seduce more people into trying French wines then maybe I should rejoice.
BUT I am always suspicious of extravagant packaging, whether it be engraved or strangely shaped bottles, wooden labels or whatever - I always fear that so much effort has gone into the presentation that the producer must be trying to hide something - or charge an unwarranted premium.
Perhaps I am just getting to old, but I would prefer to see good clear labelling with useful information - keep it simple! I certainly would not be tempted by such ghastly, brash labels, corks or collars.
Andrew does not say where the wines are being stocked - but I suspect it is aimed more at the supermarket level than the independent specialists - Spittoon - New Wines from the Ventoux.
For some quality Cotes du Ventoux try the red Domaine Juliette Avril from Leon Stolarski Fine Wines
For more on France, French Wine, Food & Travel try our SEARCH feature
Also see our calendar of events in France
Keywords: France,wine,cotes,Ventoux,Provence,Vaucluse
