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Does your telephone hold popping up images of holidays passed by? Mine does, and whereas they might convey again pleased recollections of summers previous, they’re additionally a reminder that I gained’t be travelling wherever this summer time. It’s good to dream although, so this week and subsequent, I’ll take a digital journey to a wine producing area that’s well-liked with Irish holidaymakers too.
Minervois is a type of acquainted wine names that folks discover laborious to find on a map. It’s set again from the coast, going north-eastwards up into the mountains from Carcassonne within the Languedoc. On two events, I’ve misplaced my approach on the winding roads on this sparsely populated area, questioning how any plant may survive right here within the naked, brilliant, white rocky mountainsides.
One was on a shopping for journey looking for a brand new producer. Individuals had been scarce as was any signage for hamlets or wineries. The wine was definitely worth the stress as soon as I tracked down the producer, in a small cottage overlooking the valley beneath. The second time I used to be on a vacation and in additional relaxed kind.
I discover wines from La Livinère typically have a freshness, an acidity and generally an magnificence not usually present in Minervois wines, however a lot is dependent upon the grower
As with many elements of the Languedoc, there’s a mass of cheap wines produced in Minervois, often by a co-operative or a big negociant, in addition to some attention-grabbing wines from extra formidable small estates. Minervois is a big space, with all kinds of soils and climates producing all kinds of wines – there are literally 5 sub-zones however I defy any wine buff to call them. Most Minervois is pink, however white, rosé and candy wines are additionally produced.
In 1999 the realm of La Livinière was granted a separate appellation of Minervois- La Livinière; extra not too long ago it discarded the Minervois half. Languedoc supremo Gerard Bertrand has quite a lot of properties right here together with his high wine, Clos d’Ora (€180 a bottle from O’Briens). Burgundian royalty Anne Gros and Paul Tollot have an property right here too, as do the Cazes household of Château Lynch-Bages fame.
I discover wines from La Livinère typically have a freshness, an acidity and generally an magnificence not usually present in Minervois wines, however a lot is dependent upon the grower. Normally, I discover the pink wines of Minervois softer and extra supple than neighbouring Corbières.
For this text I tasted a dozen or so Minervois; the types assorted however all had been very pleasant. In addition to these featured right here, look out for the comfortable clean Chatelain Ramel 2018 Grand Cuvée (€13-€15 Dunnes Shops and independents) and the comfortable rounded Château Remaury 2019 (€12.95, O’Briens). All 4 of the producers beneath even have superb however costlier wines within the €19-€30 value bracket.
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Domaine de la Borie Blanche 2019, Minervois
14%, €15.99
Easy candy ripe pink fruits with a sexy spiciness coming by on the end. The La Livinière (€18.99) can also be superb. Strive it alongside pork chops with Herbes de Provence and black olives.
Stockists: Jus de Vine, Portmarnock, jusdevine.ie; Martin’s Off Licence, D3, martinsofflicence.ie; JJ O’Driscoll, Ballinlough, jjodriscoll.ie; Joyce’s Grocery store,joycesupermarket.ie; 1601 Off-licence, Kinsale; La Touche, Greystones,latouchewines4u.ie; Clontarf Wines, D3, clontarfwines.ie; Donnybrook Truthful,donnybrookfair.ie; Grapevine, Dalkey, onthegrapevine.ie; Wineonline.ie
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Domaine Cailhol Gautran Minervois 2019 Cantus Vitus
14.5%, €16
Supple, youthful, concentrated, contemporary darkish fruits, with liquorice and spice. Nice worth for cash too. Do that with a warming cassoulet or grilled lamb.
Stockist: Whelehan’s Wines, Loughlinstown, whelehanswines.ie
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Château Coupe-Roses Bastide 2019, Minervois
13.5%, €16.75
Elegant and contemporary with piquant darkish fruits, properly poised, with a dry end. Drink alongside some grilled Toulouse sausages with puy lentils.
Stockists: Sheridan’s Cheesemongers, D2, Kells, Co. Meath, Galway, sheridanscheesemongers.com, SIYPS.com; Margadh, Howth, margadhfoodandwine.ie; Rua Deli, Castlebar, caferua.com; Barrow Market, D4, barrowmarket.ie; Lennox Avenue Grocer, D8, Lennoxstreet.ie
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Domaine l’Amourier Minervois 2019, Luc Lapeyre Natural
13.5%, €16.85
Concentrated, herby, ripe darkish fruits with good acidity, and an excellent tannic chunk on the end. Drink with a roast of lamb with herbs and garlic or bean stews.
Stockists: Wines Direct, Mullingar, winesdirect.ie
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