The Tour moves into the Pyrenees

We hope everyone is enjoying the sights and tastes of the Tour de France as much as we are.

Today Bastille Day 2011, the Tour moves into the Pyrenees. We have reproduced here some information from our Taste of the Tour packs. It's not too late if you want to join the chasing peleton!

Stock up on some nice fillet steak and some french cheese and with our 6 pack you have an instant Tour de France experience for the weekend!

Thursday 14^th July - Stage 12   

Cugnaux  Luz-Ardiden 211 km – first major climb.

“The race’s first major climb, the Hourquette d’Ancizan, an off-shoot of the Aspin, makes its first appearance on the Tour. The riders then head onto the Tourmalet. They descend off that and finish with the climb to Luz-Ardiden….”*

This stage commences in the flat valley of the upper Garonne, crossing the pilgrim’s routes that go through Madiran. Madiran is an ancient wine growing region first planted by the Romans. The wine developed an excellent reputation and was carried by pilgrims and said to be the origin of “alter wine”. Using these ancient soils and know how, the winemakers in the region have embraced organic methods in the vineyards, and new technology in the winery, to produce wines with a growing reputation in France and across the world.

Wine 3: Domaine du Crampilh - Madiran Vignes Vielles 2006

Made from 70% Tannat and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine has a beautiful deep purple colour. It has an intense and savoury nose with black fruits, vanilla and leather. A concentrated palate with rich black fruit and peppery spices balanced with great structure, fine chalky tannins and acid. Intense, powerful but great length and balance.

Perfect with a fillet steak or a beef casserole. See our erlier blog for a vey simple and delicious beef stew. Enjoy your wine in preparation for the ascent of the Aubisque.

Wine 4: Domaine du Crampilh - Pacherenc Moelleux Cuvée Céleste 2007

The white wines of Madiran are called Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh. Cuvée Celeste from Domaine du Crampilh is a late harvest wine made from Petit Manseng.  The Cuvée Céleste is luscious and complex wine with a honeyed and harmonious finish.

Perfect with a late night dessert - the perfect accompaniment on the late night stages.

Friday 15^th July - Stage 13

Pau  Lourdes 152.5 km - high mountains.

“This is a stage that will suit the breakaway specialists, the baroudeurs, who can take some big climbs in their stride, because the Aubisque features about halfway through.” *

The tour passes through the stunning wine region of Jurançon, one of the most beautiful in France. Rolling green hills, relatively unpopulated and stunning views to the nearby snow-capped Pyrenees. The ripening period in autumn is long and cool, lending itself to producing late picked white wines. Australians often think of sweet wines as dessert wines but the Jurançon wines are perfect as an aperitif.  Light in texture, and finely balanced with acid they are perfect with foie gras/pâtés or cheeses. 

Wine 5: Château Jolys Jurançon Sec, 2009

This dry wine is made using 50% Gros Manseng grapes blended with 50% of Petit Manseng.  A delightful, complex, fruity but dry, and great value for money wine. Could this be the next big thing after New Zealand sauvignon Blanc? Discover for yourself!

It would be a perfect match with seafood and shellfish, but also goes down a treat with pre-dinner nibbles and dips as you re-live the cols. What a way to start the weekend!

Wine 6:Domaine Bellegarde Cuvée Tradition, 2008

The pale gold Domaine Bellegarde Cuvée Tradition 2008, has delicious fruit flavours and balance.

It can be consumed on its own, but the French often drink it as an aperitif with pâté or terrines.  Of course it’s a perfect match for a fruit dessert.

This bottle would be perfect to open as you watch the 6pm highlights on SBS, with some friends and the chicken terrine or pâté and cheeses that you picked up on the way home.

*Transcribed from the Le Tour de France official website.

Taste The Tour Pack and follow our peleton over the Pyrenees- time to get cooking!

Today is a rest day and tommorrow the peleton enters the south-west passing through the Cahors region!

If you havent done so already, time to stock up on wine from the region, some good cheeses and think about a slow braise of beef for enjoyment with one of the reds

Here's some information from our Tour Pack and a really easy recipe to try.

Wines from the Pyrenees and the South-West of France 

The wines are sourced from vineyards in the Pyrenees and the South West of France - regions that the 2011 will be passing through.
Of course there is no need to stick rigidly to a certain wine on a certain stage but we have provided some suggestions and background information. These wines can be consumed any time!. 
Follow us on twitter @discovervin or on Facebook DiscoverVin Wines for updates. Join our peleton on the collective ride over the pyrenees!
And of course, please follow our friends Les Vaches de Tour for an amusing perspective on the tour including some hints on cheeses!

Stage 10 and 11- Bergerac and Cahors 
Wine 1-Domaine de Lagrezette Zette Rouge 2005, 750 ml, $14.99-modern malbec from Cahors- for fun.
Wine 2- Chateau La Rayre Bergerac Rosé 2009, 750 ml, $16.99 -one of our best sellers. Made from Merlot and Cab Sauv. Drink chilled, turn up the heating and imagine being in the sundrenhed French countryside in mid-summer!


Stage 12,13,14-Madiran and Jurançon
Wine 3-Domaine du Crampilh - Madiran Vignes Vielles 2006 $28.99, 750 ml-Big fruit, great tannin, balance and structure-award winning wine made from tannat grapes.
Wine 4-Domaine du Crampilh - Pacheranc Moelleux  Cuvée Celeste, 2007, 500ml $25.99 - the name is a mouthful and so is the fruit in this wine. A delicious not too sweet dessert wine-no wonder the French have tried to keep this to themselves!
Wine 5- Château Jolys Jurançon Sec 2009, 750 ml, $17.99 -One of our best sellers-Drink of the Week Sunday Herald Melbourne 15th May 2011- delightful unwooded Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng
Wine 6-Domaine Bellegarde-Jurançon Moelleux “Selection Tradition” 2008, 375ml, $10.99- The sweet wines of Jurançon are amongst the great sweet/dessert wines of the world and great value for money. This is an excellent example- luscious complex fruit, balance, length and not too sweet on the finish.

Total price for the Taste the Tour 6 pack is only $115 and free postage for limited time!.
Simply click on Albury-Wodonga/Tour pack tab on the delivery options to receive this free offer. (updated 8th July 2011)
A fraction of the price of a ticket to France! 

So now our first recipe... Beef braised in Malbec.

So hopefully you have stocked up on some rump steak or whatever cut you prefer- or zip out and get some. The Zette malbec from Cahors can be enjoyed with the steak. Just enjoy the steak with whatever is your favorite marinade or sauce, or perhaps  just simply with some good french mustard and a sprinkle of sea salt and a grind of black pepper. The Zette Malbec is lovely as it is but comes into its own with food such as this. Enjoy the lovely fruit and nice minerals and tannin structure and marvel at the value for money! This wine was placed in the Top 100 best value wines of 2010 by Us Wine Enthusiast magazine. We managed to secure the last pallet  left in the winery. Get in quick as it is disaperaing fast!


Pespeso (the famous hunter’s peppery beef stew) by Jamie Oliver was inspiration for this dish.  But we think the Italians in turn borrowed this from the French as we have had many similar dishes in this part of the world. We have made it many times, usually with a beef cut called “goulash” from our Italian smallgoods producer “Formici”, but on this occasion we bought some rump steak on special it did the job very nicely !  Jamie suggests beef or veal shin on the bone – a bit hard to find in our neck of the woods!  It’s a good dish to make on a cold old day as it requires your oven to be on for six hours or so.  In the warmer weather we sometimes leave it in the outdoor pizza oven overnight.

Basically:

·     Heat oven to 150°C

·     Find an oven proof dish that is just big enough to hold all ingredients and hopefully has a lid (I used my small LaCrueset)

·    Slice whatever red meat you have into chunks

·    Place a layer of meat in the bottom of the oven proof dish, scatter several garlic cloves, a decent amount of black pepper, a sprinkle of salt and a couple of rosemary sprigs over each layer – continue until all meat used and add a couple of bay leaves. As a variation you can add a few pieces of orange peel.

·     I covered this with half a bottle of Zette Rouge and topped it up, to just cover the meat, with a bit of water.

·     Cover with a double layer of foil, then the lid and tie the lid down with kitchen string to ensure it is a really tight fit.

·    Cook in a preheated oven for 6 hours.  Alternately, Jamie suggests you can cook at a lower temperature (140°C) for 8 hours or so. If you dont have time 3 or 4 hours would suffice. One trick is to put it on before bed in a slow oven and take it out the next morning.

         

When cooked we usually use as a pasta sauce or lovely on a good crusty toasted sourdough bread with a crispy salad. Or could be done with rice or couscous and veges.

It can be prepared ahead and of course its always nicer the next day once the flavours have melded together.

The aroma whilst cooking is magnificent, so perhaps you’ll need to finish off that bottle of Zette with some other delicacy while you wait!

Vinexpo-Part 1 The Experience

The red carpet pontoon stretched over the lake to the immense exhibition hall. Vinexpo was on the other side. With excitement and some degree of trepidation the Discovervin Team flashed our credentials and followed the red carpet into a world of wine. It should be noted that we were happy to see two life guards in a rubber raft floating happily next to the carpeted pontoon, ready to save any expeditioner who may have mis-stepped on the red carpet.

Once inside the main exhibition space, Hall 1, we walked at least 800 metres to Hall 3. This and Hall 2 are two other large exhibition spacesn, set at right angles to the main hall. Hall 3 Row N was our destination as this is where we had our first Vinexpo appointment. On the way we passed stylish stands with wines from across France.

The quality of the stands was incredible. Designer furniture, meeting nooks, bars, lounge suites, elegantly dressed hostesses, every conceivable way of displaying wine, lights, posters, magazines etc- no expense spared and of course WINE.

Outside restaurants and brassieres lined the sidewalk. Seafood – with an oyster bar, and cuisines linked to the countries and regions show cased at Vinexpo including; Tuscan, Provencal,Corsican, Alsace. We chose the Brasserie Chez Yvette from Archachon on the Atlantic coast not far from Bordeaux.

There were close to 50,000 visitors to Vinexpo over its 5 days, from over 140 countries. The Chinese were the largest non-French presence with all exhibitors eager to woo them. The Australian presence was subdued, both in terms of exhibitors – mostly large producers like Penfolds- and attendees.

Walking the length of Hall 1, was a full kilometre, an international oenological experience. On that journey we passed through Italy, Argentina, Israel, California, Oregon, Chile and Spain, all with a myriad of producers showing their distinctive wines. Side trips to Provence or Languedoc- Rousillon were possible. Another detour was to step outside to the lakeside stall of the Champagne houses.

Featured wine of the Month Domaine Bellegarde Cuvée Tradition 2008

We decided to feature this wine this month given some very recent media interest. We thought perhaps our friends and followers might like to get in quick and snap up some bottles. 


We know that major metropolitan newspaper is about to write about this wine in its weekend lifestyle magazine (we will add some detials to this blog once the review is published). It has just been added to the wine list at Vivo restaurant in Palm Cove. This is an interesting and very smart choice. The wine has fantastic tropical fruit flavours. Some wine lovers have called this the "mango wine" after tasting it. It matches perfectly with fruit desserts and we can imagine sipping it at Vivo looking over the Pacific Ocean with a mango brulée! Or with some cheese watching the Tour de France!


Well known wine scribe and wine guru Winsor Dobbin said of it on Twitter yesterday "Very much enjoying the 2008 Domaine Bellegarde Cuvée Tradition Jurançon imported by @discovervin Gotta love value #wine."


Wine scribe Ben Knight of Benandwine in fact spoke along the same lines about our Taste the Tour Pack. The Domaine Bellegarde Cuvée Tradition is one of the sweet wines he refers to when writing about the pack on the website of our friends at Les Vaches du Tour ."What a great selection, awesome value too. Madiran the standout, but the sweeties with the cheese were fantastic. I heartily recommend this to any and all." 


So here are the details on our featured wine of the month.... 


It is available in 375ml for $10.99 or 750ml for $20.99. We believe that these wines are both BARGAINS at this price for this quality. 
Minimum order 6 bottles (can be 6 of these or a mixture with other wines). Call us on 0260206016 if unsure how to order on line.

Domaine Bellegarde

Jurançon Moelleux “Selection Tradition” 2008
AOC Jurançon
375ml

The sweet wines of Jurançon are amongst the great sweet/dessert wines of the world and great value for money. This is an excellent example- luscious complex fruit, balance, length and not too sweet on the finish.
Region/Terroir: Jurançon
Grapes: This wine uses 65% Gros Manseng and 35% Petit Manseng.
Winemaking techniques: The wines are not botrytised, in fact it is said that the thick skin of the manseng grapes protects against rot.  A long dry autumn allows the wines to dry on the vine and concentrate flavours. Fermentation and vinification occurs in oak barrels for the Petit Manseng, which gives an added complexity. The Gros Manseng is fermented and vinified in stainless steel.

Our tasting notes: Shiny rich gold/yellow colour. On the nose complex citrus and peach tones. The balance is excellent, complex citrus and stone and tropical  fruits. Moelleux means sweet but unlike many dessert wines from Australia this wine has a drier finish. They can be consumed on their own (often the French would have them as an aperitif) with pate, cheeses and it is absolutely delicious with fruit desserts.


Here is a review by aussie wine writer Winsor Dobbins 11/7/11 " love wines with that sweet/savoury combination that Jurancon does so well, you'll enjoy this classy little number that offers sensational value for money. The balance between sugar and acid is spot on here, so that while the initial impression is of ripe pineapple, the finish offers some surprising dryness, roundness and length. A blend of petit manseng and gros manseng, this would be superb paired with calves' liver, pates and terrines or blue cheeses, as an aperitif or as a dessert wine. Imported by www.discovervin.com.au. $10.99 for 375mls."

Taste The Tour Pack and follow our peleton over the Pyrenees.

Vive le Tour!

We look forward to the race but more so the fantastic scenery and television coverage. And the cows (more on that below)! We have put together a tasting pack which gives you the chance to try 6 wines as the peleton races through the south-west and the Pyrenees in the second week.

It has been well received -look what Ben Knight of Ben and Wine, had to say....."What a great selection, awesome value too. Madiran the standout, but the sweeties with the cheese were fantastic. I heartily recommend this to any and all."

We couldn't agree more!!

The wines are sourced from vineyards in the Pyrenees and the South West of France - regions that the 2011 Tour de France will be passing through.

Of course there is no need to stick rigidly to a certain wine on a certain stage but we have provided some suggestions and background information. These wines can be consumed any time!

Follow us on twitter @discovervin or on Facebook DiscoverVin Wines for updates. Join our peleton on the collective ride over the pyrenees!

And of course, please follow our friends Les Vaches de Tour for an amusing perspective on the tour including some hints on cheeses!

Stage 12 and 13- Bergerac and Cahors 
Wine 1-Domaine de Lagrezette Zette Rouge 2005, 750 ml, $14.99-modern malbec from Cahors- for fun.
Wine 2- Chateau La Rayre Bergerac Rosé 2009, 750 ml, $16.99 -one of our best sellers. Made from Merlot and Cab Sauv. Drink chilled, turn up the heating and imagine being in the sundrenhed French countryside in mid-summer!


Stage 14 and 15-Madiran and Jurançon
Wine 3-Domaine du Crampilh - Madiran Vignes Vielles 2006 $28.99, 750 ml-Big fruit, great tannin, balance and structure-award winning wine made from tannat grapes.
Wine 4-Domaine du Crampilh - Pacheranc Moelleux  Cuvée Celeste, 2007, 500ml $25.99 - the name is a mouthful and so is the fruit in this wine. A delicious not too sweet dessert wine-no wonder the French have tried to keep this to themselves!
Wine 5- Château Jolys Jurançon Sec 2009, 750 ml, $17.99 -One of our best sellers-Drink of the Week Sunday Herald Melbourne 15th May 2011- delightful unwooded Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng
Wine 6-Domaine Bellegarde-Jurançon Moelleux “Selection Tradition” 2008, 375ml, $10.99- The sweet wines of Jurançon are amongst the great sweet/dessert wines of the world and great value for money. This is an excellent example- luscious complex fruit, balance, length and not too sweet on the finish.

Total price for the Taste the Tour 6 pack is only $115 plus postage

A fraction of the price of a ticket to France!


To purchase click here 

By purchasing this wine you confirm that you are over 18 and accept the terms and conditions of sale.

Two opportunities to taste wines of south-west France and to meet a wine maker!

Coming up next week in Melbourne and Sydney is the opportunity to taste a range of wines from the south-west of France.  Many of these are from marque independent producers representing some of the best wines of their appellations.  Many are producing organic or biodynamic wine or are in the process of conversion. Their wines often represent years of hard work in improving production techniques whilst respecting ancient terriors and using indigenous grapes.


Géraud Chamboissier from Accents du Sud-Ouest will present wines from Madiran, Jurancon, Bergerac, Gaillac and Cahors .... iconic appellations less often seen in Australia compared to other regions.  He will be available to tell the stories of the wines and to answer questions. 


Broaden your knowledge about these exciting regions, wines made from Petit Manseng, Malbec, Tannat and classic Bordeaux varieties. Taste some great value wines from the best producers in each region.

Melbourne

When: Monday 4th July, 2011, 3pm to 5pm

Where: Private tasting room, Stokehouse Restaurant, Jacka Blv, St Kilda

Sydney

When: Tuesday 5th July, 2001, 3pm to 5pm

Where: Ash Street Cellar, Ash St, CBD


Please RSVP to: 0414 596 395 or (02) 6020 6016


No cost to Sommeliers/Wine Trade. 

DiscoverVin in Basque Country

The DiscoverVin wine team are in the Pyrenees and south west this week! Visiting wineries (domaines /chateaux) meeting suppliers of our premium, value for money wines from the S.W. of France. Jurancon is the appellation for sweet and dry white wines using Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng grapes. Madiran uses Tannat for red wines and also use the Mansengs for the luscious Pachenranc de Vic Bilh appellation. 

First stop is the gorgeous port town of St Jean de Luz in the Pays Basque. A beautiful long sandy beach in a protected bay with a gorgeous and historic old town. Mix of architecture - some half timbered buildings with steep roofs and colourful basque shutters and more neo-classic buildings with iron work. Beautiful shops below and apartments on the upper floors. Pedestrians stroll past chic shops with basque linen, clothes, homewares, basque speciality foods and wine, artisinal ice cream makers and of course the odd souvenir shop. Overall one of the most elegant sea-side towns we have seen - full of character. It would be nice to linger for a week!

Arrived late yesterday evening and enjoyed some seafood at Txalupa restaurant overlooking the harbour, bobbing with yachts. Apparently Txalupa means boat in Basque. Enjoyed a mixture of fish and prawns cooked a la plancha (bbq), delicious with a Domaine Brada white from Irouleguy - manseng grapes - fruity but crisp - great match. And of course needed to be reaquainted with Manzana, the local liquer made from apples. Great end to the day, served with ice and has about 18% alcohol like a port rather than the higher alcohol content of grappa etc

Heading into the hills this afternoon to meet some winemakers. Irouleguy is the appellation for today's visit. They also make whites from the Manseng and reds from classic Bordeaux varieties. We don't have any wines from this hard to pronounce appellation in the portfolio yet, but hope to find some today.