FRENCH CIVILIZATION

WINE TASTING

Introduced by David Lesniak on 14 December 1998

This tasting of French country wines (Vins de Pays) was generously sponsored by Great Western Wines, and the delicious snacks were donated by Jean-Pierre Auger of Le Beaujolais restaurant.
David Lesniak explained the rules governing the category of Vins de Pays, which was introduced to improve the quality of the old table wines. These rules include linking the wine to its geographical location, such as the region (for example Vin de Pays d'Oc), the department (de 1'Herault), or local hillsides (des Cotes du Tarn, des Coteaux de Murviel). The quality is improved also by the limitation imposed on the permitted yield, and only certain grape varieties are allowed. It is interesting to note that many Vins de Pays are varietal wines, that is, made of a single grape variety indicated on the label: sauvignon, merlot, syrah, chardonnay, and so on. Although there are some small pockets of Vins de Pays elsewhere (like the Loire Valley or the Rhone), the main areas for its production are Languedoc-Roussillon and the South-West.
All the wines tasted were from these two areas, three whites and three reds, with a commentary from David on their different
characteristics beforehand, and reactions and discussion afterwards. The participants went away very happy from this enjoyable and instructive evening.
Anne Whitmarsh