Vegan wine is an important trend.

Vegan wine?

Recently we have had lots of requests for vegan wine. And many sommeliers are telling us they are similarly receiving lots of requests for vegan wine. 

Isn't all wine vegetarian/vegan? 

Well actually no.

Many wines are fined or clarified with meat products. The idea is to add an agent that will bind with sediment. 

These agents can include: 

• isinglass (fish bladder by-products)
• blood 
• egg whites
• casein (milk protein)
• gelatin (derived from bones and connective tissues)
• fish gelatin
• egg albumin 
• chitin/chitosan (derived for the shells of crabs or lobsters)

Veganswines are either completely free of fining agents or they use vegan fining agents such as bentonite clay, carbon, diatomaceous earth or kaolin.

Some wine producers have started labelling their products "vegan-friendly". Look out for the Ⓥ symbol, or the words "vegan -friendly" on back labels. 

Recently we have started to seek clarification from our producers as to whether their products are vegan-friendly or not. So far we know that the wines of the following are vegan-friendly.

• Champagne Jeeper

• Domaine Roche Audran (Rhone)

• Chateau Haut-Monplaisir (Cahors)

• Chateau Jolys (Jurançon)

• Chateau Tour de Gendres (Bergerac)

If you want to read more, here are two recent articles:

https://www.winemag.com/2018/05/09/vegetarian-vegan-wine/
https://www.foodiful.com.au/articles/843/aussies-want-more-vegan-wine

Prune Tart, Gabriel Gaté, the Tour de France and Chateau Jolys Cuvée Jean: French classics!

The Tour de France is moving towards a climax of racing in the Pyrénées! We are looking forward to the mountain racing, enjoying the wonderful scenery and  sipping a classic wine of the region. This excellent not-too-sweet dessert wine is being poured by some of the most famous restaurants in Australia. Recently wine critic Huon Hooke awarded it 95 points! Its available to enjoy as part of our Taste the Tour 6 pack.

Stage 18: Jurançon

Thursday 24 July -

Pau : Hautacam

145.5 km

Today the riders start in Pau the city of Henri IV - who was baptised with the wine of Jurançon. Pau has welcomed the race in style, 65 times, which puts it on the podium with Paris and Bordeaux as the most visited cities of the Tour. Today they climb the Col du Tourmalet, always a challenge. Next up, the final climb up Hautacam, which has earned a hallowed place in the history of the Tour.  Sit back and enjoy the ride with one of the famous wines of Jurançon. 

 Wine 4 Château Jolys, Cuvée Jean, Jurançon, 2010

The nose presents notes of honey, apricot and peaches.  The palate is fresh, powerful yet smooth.  Petit Manseng at its very best with fabulous length and balance.  This wine, like many from Jurançon, is pleasantly sweet without a cloying finish.  Best served with one of the classic cheeses of the region or a fruit gateau.

Suggestion: This wine was matched with a gorgeous Gabriel Gaté tart on an episode of Taste of the Tour. If you don't have a chance to macerate some prunes and bake a tart, a cheese or fruit platter would be a perfect late night #tourdesnack.

The Tour de France, Basque Chicken and Chateau Jolys Jurançon sec white wine

The Tour de France finally heads into the beautiful Pyrénées. We look forward to sitting back and enjoying the gorgeous scenery (and the wines of the region, contained in our Taste the Tour Pack.) 

To get in the mood, we have prepared a delicious Basque chicken casserole typical of the region (using the recipe on the SBS website originally published by Margaret Fulton.) We modified it a little by adding some powdered Pimento de Espelette that we had squirrelled away in the pantry. We bought a small container during our last trip to the south-west of France. It adds a gentle warmth and smoky depth of flavour. A tiny bit of chilli powder would be an alternative.  

And just in case we are still hungry late in the evenings, we have picked up some delicious hard sheep's milk cheese from our friends at Jones the Grocer. 

We are planning to enjoy this with one of our favourite (and best-selling) wines. The versatile and award-winning Chateau Jolys Jurançon sec- a perfect match with the chicken, the cheese, or seafood, or a few nibbles or just to match the scenery! ....

Stage 17: Jurançon Wednesday July 23 - Saint-Gaudens : Saint Lary Pla d’Adet 124.5 km

At 125 km, the shortest stage comes just after the longest. A difficult stage through the Pyrenees mountains. Three category one climbs including the Col de Peyresourde before finishing in the mountain ski resort town of Saint Lary Pla d’Adet.

 Wine 3    Chateau Jolys, Jurançon Sec, 2011

A delightful, complex, fruity but dry wine. From the excellent 2011 vintage, this wine is from one of the most beautiful and under rated regions in France. 92 points Huon Hooke. A great alternative to sauvignon blanc. Tropical fruits and citrus on the palette. Crisp dry finish. Our best selling white. 

Suggestion:  It would be a perfect match with seafood and shellfish, but also goes down a treat with pre-dinner nibbles and dips as you watch the highlights.

Taste the Tour - Six Wines from DiscoverVin

Mark the centenary of Le Tour in 2013 with DiscoverVin wines from the Pyrenees and the south west of France.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

It’s that time of year again; time to enjoy the legendary Tour de France. Enjoy the sights of the racing and the stunning scenery whilst enjoying this selection of French wine.

Allez Cadel - Road Graffitti in the Pyrenees.

The six wines in DiscoverVin's Taste the Tour pack are sourced from vineyards in the Pyrenees and the South West of France - regions that the 2013 Tour passes through in the second week as the battle for the yellow jersey really hots up. 

They represent great value for money and a great introduction to the wines of the region. And at a fraction of the price of a ticket to France! 

The white wine in this year’s Tour Pack, a Jurancon Sec from Domaine Bellegarde  is Wine of the month for July in SBS Feast Magazine.

Here is the list of wines, as matched with this years Tour stages, with some serving suggestions...more food suggestions and recipes are included in the tour pack.

Domaine Bellegarde, Pierre Blanche,Jurançon Sec 2009, 750ml $36.00

Stages 1, 2 and 3: Corsica 29 June - 2 July

It would be a perfect match with seafood and shellfish, but also goes down a treat with pre-dinner nibbles and dips as you watch the highlights.

Domaine de la Croix Irresistible cru classé rosé 2010, 500ml - $19.90 

Stage 4: Provence 

Tuesday 2 July:

Time Trial

25 km

Imagine that you are sitting in a café overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, smelling the sea air and the scent of herbs and local delicacies from the kitchen,

A great wine to enjoy on any day of the tour to evoke the French summer as you watch La Tour wrapped in a rug!

Château Bouissel, Bouissel Classic, 2008, 750ml $20.00

Stage 7 Friday 5 July Montpelier to Albi 205 km

The tour travels through the Tarn and Herault valleys with some hilly terrain just to the west is the wine region of Fronton.

Serve with a plate of charcuterie such as hams, salami and some cheese.  Allez Cadel! 

Domaine du Crampilh, Vielles Vignes, 2006, 750ml $29.00

Stage 8

Saturday 6 July:

Castres to Ax trios Thermes

194 km

The tour traverses the wine regions of Madiran and Saint-Mont.  

Domaine Crampilh, Madiran, Classic Le Tour country in the Pyrenees.

Perfect with lamb shanks or duck breasts. Keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for suggested recipes! Enjoy your wine in preparation for the Col de Pailheres (15.3 km at 8/%) and the Col Ax 3 Domaines (7.8 km at 8.2%). 

Château Jolys Cuvée Jean  2009, 750ml $32.00

Stage 9 Jurançon

Sunday 7 July:

Saint-Girons to Bagneres-de-Bigorre

165 km

This is where those attacking riders who are at home at high altitude will get the chance to combine showmanship with efficiency.  Five climbs figure in the day's program.  Sit back and enjoy the ride as with one of the famous wines of Jurançon. 

Perfect for the late night cheese platter or dessert - the right accompaniment on the late night stages.

Château Haut Monplaisir Prestige-AOC Cahors-Rouge 2006, 750ml $35.00

Stage 18: The Alps

Thursday 18 July:

Gap to Alpe-d’Huez

168 km

A long awaited and memorable day with two ascents of the Alpe-D’Huez.  A big day with big mountains deserves a big wine.  We have picked a great Malbec from a top producer.  Good value for the quality of this wine, which has won multiple awards including three $$$ from Robert Parker

Suggestion: Enjoy with pasta or pizza, or a cheese platter as you watch the climbs.

Bathers Pavilion South West Wine Dinner

A cold and wet evening did not deter diners from enjoying the tastes of South West France at Bathers Pavilion.  Over forty guests enjoyed four courses matched with wines from Jurançon, St Mont and Cahors. Diners were warmly welcomed by Serge Dansereau from Bathers and Mary and Helen from DiscoverVin.

The menu was perfect for the evening and for the wines.  Diners were able to watch the waves on Balmoral Beach and simultaneous be transported to the French Pyrenees.

Rabbit and foie gras terrine.

The wines of South West France are diverse and made from indigenous grape varieties.  Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng are used to make both a crisp dry white and a rich dessert style wine. Both styles were perfectly show cased during the meal.

The first course of terrine of rabbit, foie gras and lettuce served with a verjuice jelly was a lovely match with Chateau Jolys Jurançon Sec 2010. With both floral and fruity aromas: honeysuckle, jasmine, grapefruit, citrus and fresh grape and  fresh, fruity  flavours on the palate the wine was enhanced by the texture of the terrine and the acidity of the verjuice jelly.

 



Poached duck egg with white bean, ham hock and anchovy.

The second course was also matched with a wine from Jurançon, Domaine Bellegarde, Selection DB, 2008. The minerality of the wine was perfect with the complex flavours of a poached duck egg served with white bean, ham hock and anchovy.

Perfectly pink pan roasted duck magret served with chestnuts and prunes was matched with two red wines.  A tannat from St Mont and a malbec from Cahors. Both wines are made to accompany food, especially braised and meaty dishes, making them an interesting match with the duck. The UK Guardian recently described Cahors as the rarest of all wines, both a rising star and a timeless classic.  The Chateau Lagrezette 2005 demonstrated this. The rich savoury flavours of the Monastere St Mont Rouge 2006 from Producteurs Plaimont  with its scents of stewed fruit was enjoyed by all. 

Pan roasted duck magret served with chestnuts and prunes and paired with a Malbec and a Tannat wine from South West France.

Tourtière des Landes with Cuveé Thibault dessert wine.

Dessert was apple tart, a superb Tourtière des Landes with Armagnac ice cream.  It was matched with another Jurançon wine, Domaine Bellegarde, Jurançon Moelleux Cuveé Thibault 2007. The rich golden colour of the wine was gorgeous with the tones of the tourtière.  The wine was lush, but with a crisp finish, enhancing the tartness of the apple.

 

DiscoverVin Top 10 wines for 2012

We wish all our friends and followers a Happy New Year!

The team at DiscoverVin have had a busy and satisfying year and it has been our pleasure to look after you all.

Here is a look at our most popular wines of 2012, based on volume of sales. (Where we have clicked over to a new vintage during the year we have counted all the sales of that wine together, regardless of the vintage.)

The following makes some interesting reading, none the least for the prominence of rosé. 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 2012 rosé sales have exceeded white wine sales. Similarly we appear to be in the middle of a rosé revolution !

Here are the first 5 of our top 10 wines for 2012. We will blog about wines 6-10 next week

1. Chateau La Rayre Bergerac Rose 2010 $17.99

Wow! A rose as our best seller for 2012.

This rosé seems to appeal to wine lovers who would not normally look at rosé. 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).

Try some and you will see what all the hype about rosé (and in particular French rosé) is all about. 

This wine has been included in the Rosé Revolution promotion this summer. 

It was also selected by French wine critics and consumers in the Guide "Un vin presque parfait" (an almost perfect wine). A panel of critics and consumers selected 400 french wines from several thousand to be given this accolade.

From Sean Mitchell  Grape Observer ...regarding the 2009.."I enjoyed drinking this rosé from Bergerac situated to the east of Bordeaux, a blend of two thirds cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon and one third merlot.  A deeper hue of salmon pink in colour, the aroma is of crisp and crunchy peaches.  The palate reveals spices, nectar and a savoury balance.  Good drinking and well priced."

More details can be found here

2. Domaine de l'Ancienne Cure Bergerac Rouge 2008

A complex and elegant red wine. It is typical of the good value wines that DiscoverVin is bringing to wine lovers in Australia.

You won't find this on our website as we are currently sold out! But we have managed to secure a small parcel that is "on the water" at the time of writing- please call 0260206018 or email info@discovervin.com.au for details and to pre-order

Region: Bergerac

Grapes: Merlot 70%, Cabernet sauvignon 15%, Cabernet franc 15% 





Our tasting notes: A deep red and violet purple colour . The nose is lifted and complex that is a complex melange of fruit, subtle spices including green pepper, liquorice, prunes, black cherries and some toasty elements. The palate reflects the complexity of the nose with lovely ripe fruit and spice wrapped in fine tannins This wine has great structure balance and length.


A lovely complex red and great value at the price.

3. Domaine de la Croix Irresistible AOC Cotes de Provence 2010 $25

The name says it all.  Irresisitible!  An irresistible rosé from Provence, the home of rosé. What a great looking bottle and a great tasting wine!

Domaine de La Croix, created in 1882, is situated near the village of La Croix Valmer with an outlook to the beaches of St Tropez. It has the classification of cru classé.


Very few Provençal producers are given the cru classé classification, denoting an exceptional winery.







Reviewed by Max Crus, The Daily Examiner Saturday March 17 2012 “A friend once said that she didn’t like rose until she had had one in Provence. I now understand the fuss. The real de la McCoy 8.8/10”. Other reviews on this wine can be accessed on our media reviews page.

And a testomonial from a happy customer.."the domaine de la croix is the ‘winner’. Although we thought all three rose that we sampled were incredibly drinkable the domaine de la croix was even more so – truly delicious. " David Sydney 14/5/2012
Madison magazine says " if decadence is what you’re after, then you won’t be able to resist La Croix, Irrésistible Rosé 2010" 
This wine is being featured in this summer's Rose Revolution activities

For more technical details etc quick here

4. Chateau Jolys Jurançon sec 2010 $19.90

This Jurançon Sec represents great value for money. If you are looking for something other than chardonnay or sauvignon blanc this summer, but don’t want to pay a fortune, this is pretty hard to beat!


"What a gorgeous wine. Lovely balance between fruitiness and elegance. Its dry but fruity; something different & appealing for the summer months ahead" David Sutherland-Smith Border Mail October 14, 2011.









The current vintage-2010- has received a great review by Sean Mitchell of the Grape Observer. "This wine is a winner......The 2010 vintage of Chateau Joly's Jurançon Sec is a very attractive wine indeed ‐ almost like a better version of a sauvignon blanc. Bright and a pale intensity gold in colour, it opens to a pronounced intensity aroma of grass, gooseberries, lemons, jasmine, with just a slight touch of exotic paw paw fruit. The palate is held together well by its firm acidity, it is dry, with medium body, warming alcohol and pronounced intensity flavours that are similar to its aroma, though more firmly seasoned with spices. The length is between medium and long. At $18.99 a bottle for this good level of quality, this wine deserves to fly off the shelves. 89 points(very good)"

5. Chateau de La Bouyere Bordeaux Blanc 2010 $18.90

We are thrilled to see this lovely easy drinking white make the top 5. It was a big hit when served cold and crisp on a very hot week-end at the Paris to Provence Festival in Melbourne in November.

The Queyrans family has owned Chateau de la Bouyere for more than a century.  The vineyard is located at the top of Donzac, 45 km to the south of Bordeaux.  Grape production, wine making and ageing all take place on the family estate.  Vines have an average age of 30 years.

Region/Terroir:  AOC Bordeaux Blanc
Grapes:  Semillon (80%), Sauvignon Blanc (20%).
Ageing:  Drink now.  Serve at a cool temperature around 12°C.
Our Tasting notes:  Lovely pale golden colour with little hints of green. An expressive nose with fragrances of citrus fruits that evolve towards nuances of tropical fruits.  The mouth is harmonious and fruity with a great round, rich mouth feel due to the ageing on fine lees.  Delicate and balanced.  A lovely wine at this price.

A stylish wine.  Crisp and refreshing, perfect with salads.

So that's the first 5 of the top 10.

Wines 6-10 include 3 reds (Chateau Lagarde  from Saint Emilion, Chateau Haut-Belian from Bordeaux, Chateau de Saurs from Gaillac ) a great Graves white from a famous French wine and food family (Ch Haut Peyrous)  and our top selling dessert wine (Chateau Jolys Cuvée Jean). 

More on these next week.

Happy new year!

Wine Enthusiast Scores DiscoverVin Wines Highly

DiscoverVin were pleased with these scores for wines from our estates in South West France.

 WINE ENTHUSIAST is a USA based wine magazine and retailer of wine related products.

The Wine Enthusiast tasting panel consists of knowledgeable international wine critics.

The scores are for the vintages indicated.  DiscoverVin stocks wines from some of the vintages mentioned.

AOP	ESTATE	CUVEE	VINTAGE	RATING
CAHORS	CHÂTEAU HAUT MONPLAISIR	Tradition	2008	88 pts
		Prestige	2008	89 pts
		Pur Plaisir	2008	90 pts
BERGERAC	CHÂTEAU TOUR DES GENDRES	Cuvée des Conti (white)	2010	88 pts
		Moulin des Dames	2008	90 pts
		Moulin des Dames (white)	2009	89 pts
		Gloire de mon Père	2008	91 pts
		Tour des Gendres	2010	87 pts
FRONTON	CHÂTEAU BOUISSEL	Négrette	2009	89 pts
		Le Bouissel	2008	90 pts
		La Syrah	2009	89 pts
JURANCON	CHÂTEAU JOLYS	Cuvée Pauline (white)	2009	91 pts
		Cuvée Jean (sweet)	2009	90 pts
		Jolys (white)	2010	88 pts
		Jolys Doux (sweet)	2009	88 pts
	CHÂTEAU DE JURQUE	Tendresse (sweet)	2009	89 pts
		Emotion (white)	2009	93 pts
		Fantaisie (white)	2010	87 pts
GRAVES	CHÂTEAU HAUT PEYROUS	Pêche au Carrelet (white)	2009	90 pts
		Pèle Porc & Cochonailles	2009	87 pts