YOU SAMPLED an Al Fresco red from

Les Païens Le Paria

A juicy, quaffable wine that starts with a sweet berry note and ends punchy and easy to drink. Fermented without sulphur and aged in concrete as not to disrupt the purity of the fruit. Far removed from the “Languedoc standards”,“the usual way” or from “common practices”, this wine is an exception to the strict winemaking rules of France. The Grenache grapes that historically are used in the estates rosés because they are deemed “uninteresting” for red make up 100% of the “Le Paria” cuvée.

 

PERFECT WITH

Cassoulet, spicy Asian dishes, charcuterie, Pork ‘n Beans

YOU SAMPLED a Medium white from

Les Païens Préjugés

By daring to brave “prejudice”, the winemaker went against the “original conception” of white wine in the Languedoc by aging a Chardonnay in casks for a few months (similar to what is done in Burgundy and the US.) The result is a tropical fruit centered white wine with a distinct core of crisp minerality and little hints of sweet vanilla from the barrique oak.  The wood adds a gourmet texture to the mouthfeel also, elevating a normal French chardonnay to a seductive, precise wine.

 

PERFECT WITH

Shrimp stuffed avocado, mild white fish, asparagus risotto, savory croissants

YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Château Frédignac La Favorite

A young winemaking couple took over the centuries old vineyards and winery, and the wines are showing a balance of vine age and winemaker age. La Favorite, named after the ship a Brittany sailor docked near Bordeaux and never left, is a fruity, juicy wine with swathes of black currant and berry flavors. The wines depth and complexity from the ancient vines shows itself in the length of the finsh and the smoky, spicy characteristics. The youthful touch shows itself in that the fruits are fresh and pronounced, and not stewed or overripe like some Bordeauxs. This is the wine to drink to convince a friend that Bordeaux can be approachable, or maybe the bottle to finally sway you!

 

PERFECT WITH

Steak frites, Buffalo burgers, dark meat turkey, green bean casserole.

YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from

Château Pineraie Cahors

An old school nose of rural France opens up to intense berry fruit and plum aromas. The palate carries those berry and plum flavors and adds blackberry, spice and touch of vanilla. A soft oak expression lends violets, potpourri, complexity and very gentle tannins for such a bold wine. Smooth, sumptuous, dark black and the loveliest expression of the almost tender notes that Malbec is capable of.

 

PERFECT WITH

Dark meat turkey, most cheese, lamb roast with herbs, mushrooms and shallots.

YOU SAMPLED a Bold white from

Coustarret Jurançon Moelleux

A sweet wine from South west France that’s got enough acidity and brightness to not be reserved for desserts only.  The winemaker and terroir here have the light touch necessary to show the delicacy and great charm of the Petit Manseng grape.  A fine balance between honey and apricot fruits is welcome amongst such poised acidity, and refreshing in that the wine stays light and fresh as well as ripe and full.

 

PERFECT WITH

Apple pie (homemade or McDonald’s,) salty cheese, blue cheese, a perfect aperitif

YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Belles Courbes Saint-Chinian

Deep garnet, but with a core of ruby red and hints of purple dancing all around. Black cherry liqueur, currant and other ripe fruits on the nose backed up by spicy oregano and fuzzy Bay laurel. The palate is structured, but not too serious, with all of those ripe fruits translating perfectly and accompanied by white pepper and a touch of anise. Belles Courbes translates to “beautiful curves” and the wine has the “stuff” to fill out the name.

 

PERFECT WITH

Pot roasts, short ribs, mature cheese, grilled burgers with nice char

YOU SAMPLED an Al Fresco red from

Terres d’Alice Beaujolais

Named after Pierre Andre’s Great Aunt Alice, this beaujolais village is just like the late Matriarch - fun, flirty, easy going and appreciated by everyone. Fruity on the nose and palate, this gamay has a touch more weight thanks to some fruit sourcing from cru Brouilly. The nose is all creamed berries and bramble that translates to flavors of baked cherry pie, super ripe strawberries, sweet herb tea and enough spice and grip to let you know it’s French. Pro Tip: put a slight chill on this one before drinking.

 

PERFECT WITH

White meat turkey, Shakshuka, fish, walks around the neighborhood to get a break from family

YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Centocamini Toscana Rosso

A bright, vivid ruby red color with an aroma of red fruit, Marasca cherry, violets and a touch of graphite that you expect from Tuscany. A clean fruit expression thanks to vinification in stainless steel instead of oak, the wine is fresh and convivial. Easier drinking than Chianti, almost like the ‘Noveau’ of Tuscany.

 

PERFECT WITH

Cold cuts + cheese, “first” courses, finger foods, Holiday office party snacks

YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Biasiotto Cabernet Franc

A French grape grown in the Venetian hills? We’ll take it. A deep ruby red color with faint violet tints. The nose is full of fruity aromas like Marasca cherry, black- and blueberries and a touch of fresh snipped herbs, and cracked black pepper. It is deceptively dry for such a fruity bouquet, but the dense mixed-berry jam and fresh, ripe raspberry flavors balance out the palate with soft and harmonious tannins.

 

PERFECT WITH

Grilled meats, Pappardelle with ragu, beef stew, hard cheeses