The Asian Winehunter

A visit to Beaucastel isn't complete without trying some so off to the tasting room.... 2006 - Beaucastel Blanc. The Roussane grape is dominant with 80% (small percentage of 60 year old vines) and another 20% comprised of Grenache Blanc (10-40 year old vines). Honey, flowers, good acidity and a minerality. Good to serve on the cool side i.e. 10-12 centrigrade. 2006 - Beaucastal Blanc Vielle Vignes Again made of Roussane but this time 100% pure and straight up. The vines are old (I'm told 78 years). Production is absolutely miniscule at 6000 bottles per annum ( sorry now 5999 for '06). With the Roussane variety I am told you either drink it within 5 years of the vintage of 10 years later. The 5-10 year period is supposed to be a funky phase where the wine shouts down and appears oxidised. Strangely enough I have not it during this phase but have had ones over 10 years - you will be nicely surprised. The RVV belies it's age in comparison to Beaucastel Blanc - you can te...

T he fresh, bubble gum like wine known as Beaujolais Nouveau released on 3rd week of November is what most people think of when this appelation is mentioned. Beaujolais rouge is made with the Gamay grape and actually encompases 3 categories. 1. Regular Beaujolais - Beaujolais Nouveau is a part of this. 2. Beaujolais Village - 38 communes claim this category. Again Nouveau can come from this. 3. Beujolais Cru - These consists of 10 vineyards : Brouilly The largest Vineyard with 1300 hectares at the foot of Mount Brouilly. Annual production : 10million bottles. Really massive production not really that interesting. Chenas The smallest vineyard with 280 hectares. Annual production : 2.1 million bottles. One of the better Crus. Chiroubles Situated at 400 meters is the highest of the vinyards. 370 hectares. Annual production 2.7 million bottles Cote de Brouilly On the slopes of mount Brouilly. 320 hectares. Annual production : 2.4 million bottles Fleurie 870 hecta...

A visit to Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape. What does this word usually mean to you? Strong, robust, rustic, wild, wooly, complex, monolithic all the above? Several hundred years ago it was none of the above. In the 1300's, the papal court moved to the city of Avignon along with the papacy of Pope Clement V due to political reasons. So ensued several generation of French Popes called the "Avignon papacy". South from Avignon in the village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the papacy made their summer homes and encouraged the growing of vines in the surrounding areas of Bedarrides, Sourgues and Corthezon. It was at this time that the wines became known as "Vin du Pape". It was not until 1923 when the first Appellation controlee rules were drafted under the leadership of Baron Le Roy that Publish Post Chateauneuf-Du-Pape AOC was born. In fact, this probably was the first AOC and the precursor of the various regulations to come later on. Returning to Corthezon, ...