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The Independent has a weekly series of 50 Best.... of anything ranging from toys, gadgets, hotels etc. On 16 December 2006 it was the time for their wine selection. I have never been quite sure how they arrive at the selection, but the lists usually show up something a little unexpected.
So it's good to see some lesser known French wines on the list including:-
Saint Mont 2005 - from our favourite co-operative in Gascony - Plaimont's wine is made from Gros Manseng, Petit Courbu and Aruffiac - "fine fresh,peachy fruit quality and classic southwestern bite and tang to the finish" - Marks & Spencer £5.79
Bandol AC Tempier Classique 2001 mainly made from the Mourvedre grape in Provence - "mingles flavours of blackberry and plum in a stylish, modern, seamlessly oaked style" - Stone Vine & Sun £16.95
Champagne Tarlant Brut Zero "a fine full-flavoured blend... excellent fruit quality crafted in super-elegant style".- Marks & Spencer £25 - proprietor Benoit Tarlant also has an interesting video diary at http://champagne.typepad.com/podcast/
Alsace Riesling AC Trimbach Civee Frederic Emile 2001 "intensely aromatic dry white, whose lime-zesty fruitiness and typical Riesling "petrolly" notes are balanced by an underlying mineral streak" - Paragon Vintners, London £28.04
Costieres de Nimes AC Chateau Mourgues du Gres, Fleur d'Eglantine 2005 from the southern Rhone/Provence/Languedoc border - a rose from Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan "blackcurrant and raspberry notes in a full-bodied style" Gauntleys of Nottingham £7.99
Canard-Duchene Charles VII Champagne a delicate deluxe cuvee .. praline, grilled nuts and honeycomb aromas...elegantly dry..deliciously refreshing tang....evolved toasty flavours.Majestic £19.99 o4 £13.99 if you buy 2 or more.