I am not an expert, just a discerning wine lover or amateur de vin (as the French say), but everyone has a different palate, likes and dislikes so it must be understood that any of my recommendations are personal. I just hope that you find them useful or at the very least - interesting. I also hope you enjoy my photos. It is more fun sharing then keeping them backed up on a hard drive.

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Marvels from the Midi: Minervois under $16

It has been many months since I posted. Why? A mixture of getting caught up in work and school - a heavy personal focus on craft beer, Ontario specific wines and lack of true QPR experiences. Time rethink? Perhaps... but year-end and an inspiration from the Midi (Languedoc, France) has me offer up some value favourites.

I bought a few wines from the midi lately - anything from Clos Bagatelle in St. Chinian usually pleases but this time my focus is Minervois and the sub-appellation of La Liviniere drew me. I have been there so I can picture this hilly countryside in the western part of southern France. It is beautiful, hosts many fine producers and makes blended wines that I appreciate - mostly because of the great quality for the price. The blends contain some or any of the following: Syrah, Mouvedre, Grenache and Carignan. This GSM (C) blend gives a medium to full-bodied wine with a good tanin structure and lots of dark fruit character.

There are many good producers including Domaine Borie de Maurel which I have featured before and will again because I have a number of bottles in hibernation in my cellar, but below are two wines that I picked up on a Vintages release a number of months back and was very pleased with the result. There were others but these two were the QPR standouts!

DOMAINE LA BORIE BLANCHE- TERROIRS D'ALTITUDE 2008- LA LIVINIERE, MINERVOIS- $15.75
Very fine wine for the price. Full-bodied blend of Syrah, Grenache & Mouvedre. Big nose of black plum, leather and a smokiness. Smoke, spice and dark black fruit on the palate.
LCBO product link
Winery Link



L'OR DES TEMPLIERS 2009 - MINERVOIS - $15.95
Mid-weight wine of good complexity. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. Blackberry, raspberry and wild herbs both on the nose and the palate. Ripe fruitiness throughout.
LCBO link