first vine: wine imports + sales : Domaine la Croix des Marchands Gaillac Rouge 2008

Domaine la Croix des Marchands Gaillac Rouge 2008

$13.00

description
The village of Montans was a crossroad for the pottery trade from Roman times. It was also an important area for wine production, and the wine amphoras produced in the area (and presumably filled with local wine) have been found as far away as Northern Scotland and Southern Spain. The village is part of the Gaillac AOC in the Languedoc. Jerome Bézios produces wines under two labels: Domaine la Croix des Marchands, a tribute to the traveling merchants of the past, and Château Palvié, a subsection of the property named for the family that owned the property before the French Revolution. First Vine is the first importer to bring M. Bézios’s wines to the U.S.

The Gaillac region of France produces some Bordeaux-style wines, and also wines with local varietals, some of which have been grown for centuries. M. Bézios focuses on the best of the locals. The AOC Gaillac Rouge 2006 is equal parts Syrah, Duras, and Braucol. Duras provides the structure and some of the earthier flavors, while Braucol provides color, fruit flavors, and spice. The Syrah reinforces those characteristics, and adds tannin for finish. It's an unusual, medium-bodied wine, perfect for summer evenings on the porch (20 minutes in the fridge is great), but cleans up nicely inside too. M. Bézios recommends decanting the wine for maximum aroma.

12.5% alcohol by volume

producer / region: Domaine la Croix des Marchands

type: Red Gaillac Wine

grapes:
Equal parts Syrah, Duras, and Braucol

category:
everyday reds

food pairing suggestions:
A great aperitif, also with red meats, all cheeses, poultry, salmon, pizza, and spicy foods.

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