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2011 Webisode #1189 - August 2011 Limited Series Wines Colombard/Ugni Blanc, 2009. Domaine De Joy
It all started with a Swiss family who fell in love with the Armagnac countryside in France's Gascony region. Domaine de Joy Vineyards was founded by Veronica and Andrew Gessler. Their sons, Roland and Olivier, have been working on enhancing the quality of their white wines as well as a selection of their finest Bas-Armagnac liqueur and, from what we taste, have been hugely successful. The Gascony wine region was originally inhabited by the Basque people. In 1152, the English crown acquired the area, producing an automatic trade for Gascony wine to England and abroad. The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The chalky soil of the Gascony wine region is ideal for the cultivation of white grapes. Gascony is the 8th largest wine producing region in France and the largest white wine area in France. Grape varieties grown include Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Cabernet Franc and for the red and ros? wines, Tannat and Merlot. Over 90% of the wine produced is white and most is exported, the UK being its major market. The region is best known for its brandy, known as Armagnac. It was first produced at the beginning of the 14th century in the Pays d'Armagnac in Gascony. They produce almost 100 million bottles per year. L'etoil means "shining star" and is made from Armagnac's finest grape, Colombard, and Ugni Blanc. Ugni Blanc is the most widely planted white grape in France. What is interesting to note is that in Italy this grape is called Trebbiano and is the most widely planted white grape in that country as well. It is not generally highly regarded as it produces fairly bland wine, but is resistant to most pests and diseases and is generally easy to grow. In Gascony, however it is truly the shining star, producing engaging and racy wines that are the envy of more heralded areas. Can't miss with shrimp tacos or ahi tuna burgers. August 2011 Limited Series Newsletter (.pdf) Limited Series August 2011 from Wine of the Month Club on Vimeo. |
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