July Featured Wines – Comtesse Marion Viognier & Comtesse Marion Pinot Noir, Pays d’Oc, France

Our July selection is from Comtesse Marion whose vineyards are outside of Vias near the Mediterranean coast. Their wines carry the Pays d’Oc designation since they meet specific production standards that are authorized for the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The Vic family is a five generation wine producer that uses sustainable methods without herbicides or pesticides.

2023 Comtesse Marion Viognier is 100% Viognier grapes. When deciding between Comtesse Marion Viognier or Sauvignon Blanc, Michelle Coleman, my sales rep, said the Viognier would be a great “go to” summer white. She called it “juicy.” The 2022 Comtesse Pinot Noir is our red selection which is grown on 30 plus year old vines in the rocky, volcanic soils of the region. It is 100% Pinot Noir grapes. I selected the Pinot Noir over other Comtesse Marion reds since French Pinots are a pleasing diversion from more costly US Pinots.

2023 Comtesse Marion Viognier $14

This viognier is bursting with flavors of white peach, pear, and melon. There are hints of lemon zest and blood orange that add wonderful complexity and juiciness to this succulent white, which finishes with a silky texture. Serve with mild, creamy curries, mild spicy pad thai, chicken, pork, and creamy cheeses (as well as some hard cheeses like Gruyère).Alcohol: 13.0%

2022 Comtesse Marion Pinot Noir $15

This gorgeously balanced Pinot Noir shows sublime flavors of fresh wild strawberry, blood orange, and redcherries. It is layered and juicy, with a silky texture that keeps you coming back for more. The importer calls this wine “ethereal and layered, with the texture of pure silk.” This fruit-forward wine is a nice, lower alcohol summer red. Alcohol: 12.5%

July Featured Wines -2015 Maison Nicolas Sauvignon Blanc & 2015 Maison Nicolas Merlot, Languedoc Roussillon, France

2015 Maison Nicolas Sauvignon Blanc, Cotes de Gascogne, France                                         $10

This French white has a wonderful smooth balance with crisp acidity that is characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in this region of France. Ripe peach, pear and apple are predominant flavors in this dry wine. Serve icy cold with summer seafood and you will understand why this wine is a great buy from Cotes de Gascogne.Alcohol: 11.5%

 

2015 Maison Nicolas Merlot, Pays d’Oc, France                                                                               $10

This Merlot is a well-balanced single varietal wine that comes from the Vin de Pays d’Oc appellation. It has a rich color and  is packed full of jammy flavors with notes of plum and currant.  This is a round and supple wine with smooth tannins. Consider this wine for  simple summer picnics with chicken and lighter meats.  Alcohol: 12.5%

 

This month we are offering wines produced by Maison Nicolas in Languedoc-Rousillon, France. We have had other wines from this region but they have been classic blends. July’s selections are single varietals – Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot.

Wines of the Month – 2012 Domaine Pichot Vouvray, Loire Valley & 2011 Terrassess du Frigoulet, Languedoc-Roussillon

Featured Wines for October – 2012 Domaine Pichot Vouvray, Loire Valley & 2011 Terrasses du Frigoulet, Languedoc-Rousillon

label on Pichot Vouvray

2012 Domaine Pichot Vouvray, Loire Valley  $17

Vouvray wines are unique and have quite unparalleled qualities. In fact, very few appellations in the world are made from a single, quite rare grape variety as is the case here with the Chenin Blanc grape also referred to as Pineau de la Loire. This 2012 Vouvray is known as Le Peu de la Moriette. This is a  semi-dry wine with perfect balance between dry and sweet which makes this a perfect choice for seafood or poultry prepared with creamy or citrus sauces. It combines freshness and roundness on the palate so it works well as a appertif then carries all the way through a meal. Expect prices on Vouvray to rise due to summer storm damage in the region. Hail storms destroyed this year’s grapes and did a great deal of damage to vines.

label on 2011 red blend Terrasses du Frigoulet featured at Bishop's Stock

2011 Terrasses du Frigoulet, Languedoc-Rousillon   $11

Terrasses du Frigoulet is a blend made from hand harvested, de-stemmed fruit. The blend for the 2011 vintage is 35% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% Mourvedre from 100% estate bottled fruit.  Wine Spectator gave this wine a 90 and describes it as a big  powerful red with concentrated mulberry, dark plum, blackberry and baked cherry flavors. The finish offers a taste of chocolate. This is a “country style” wine that is great with stews, hearty soups and roasted meats.