Here is a look at our most popular wines of 2014.
It makes for some interesting reading, none the least for the prominence of rosé.
For the second year in succession two rosé wines have made the top 10! Once considered sweet and uninteresting, dry rosé certainly appears to be making a resurgence in Australia as it is in Europe. In France in 2013 rosé sales exceeded white wine sales for the first time. Similarly we appear to be in the middle of a rosé revolution ! If you have never had a French rosé we suggest that you try one of these wines.
Here are the first 5 of our top 10 wines for 2014. We will blog about wines 6-10 next week!
1. Chateau de La Bouyere Bordeaux Blanc 2013 $22.50
It has struck a chord as a good value easy going alternative to NZ savvy blanc. It was a big hit when served cold and crisp on a hot week-end at the Paris to Provence Festival in Melbourne in November. Sommeliers are reporting customers coming in and asking for "that" French white they had last time.
Its a stylish wine. A blend of semillon and sauvignon blanc. Crisp and refreshing, perfect on its own , with nibbles or with salads or seafood and can stand the heat in spicy Asian dishes. Great value. No wonder its flying!
If you would like to see some of the technical details or grab a case, click here
Number 3 last year and just short of number one this year.
The name says it all. Irresisitible! An irresistible rosé from Provence, the home of rosé.
Domaine de La Croix, created in 1882, has an outlook to the beaches of St Tropez. It has the classification of cru class. Very few Provençal producers are given the cru classé classification, denoting an exceptional winery.
In 2011 Vigneron magazine named this as one of the three best producers in Provence.
For more information in general on rosé and its rising popularity here's a link to an article on rosé that we wrote for French Living magazine in January 2014.
For more technical details or to place an order click here.
From a biodynamic producer on the Cotes du Rhone. A delicious grenache/shiraz which is excellent value for money for the quality of this artisanal wine. It was cited in the 2015 Guide Hachette- France's premier wine guide!
Domaine Roche-Audran has been following biodynamic practises since 2006. It is situated on 3 separate sites on the Cotes du Rhone and uses vines between 35 and 100 years old. Vincent Rochette has developed a growing reputation for producing quality wines of character.
70% Grenache, 15% Carignan, 15% Syrah
For more technical information or to place an order click here
4. Chateau La Rayre Bergerac Rose 2013 $26.50
Wow! A second rose in the top 10 for 2014.
This rosé seems to appeal to wine lovers who say they "don't like rosé" once tried they love it!
It is darker in colour and has more body than other styles of rosé (this is achieved by a pressing of the skins with the juice which otherwise would be clear). It has a loyal following with many repeat customers.
Try some and you will see what all the hype about rosé (and in particular French rosé) is all about.
More details can be found here .
Gorgeous late picked dessert wine and "sensational value for money" Winsor Dobbin. Domaine Bellegarde is a certified organic producer. It received 17 points by Jancis Robinson and featured in her "Top-tip whites and fortifieds" December 2014.
Available in 375ml for $28 or 750 ml for $35.90
For more information on this amazing wine, click here.
Thanks to all of you who purchased wine from us in 2014. Thank you for coming on our adventure to find interesting and good value wines from France!
Prices shown reflect our online price. Trade prices on application: 0260 206 016 or info@discovervin.com.au
Here's an updated link to the rest of our top 10- five more interesting, authentic and good value wines!
