Caviar Rouge

If you're in the market for French wine and fine food, why not consider the region of the world famous Provence in southern France? Maybe you find a wine trading at this location ideal touring flooded with sunlight, which is broken only by the number of tourists. I hope you have fun on this tour wine education fact-filled from this French candidate for paradise in which we review a local red wine based on grape red Mourva¨dre.

Among the eleven wine regions of France Provence ninth in the area if one includes the island of Corsica, which most people do in spite of their differences. Provence is synonymous with rosed, and although its percentage is declining, happily according to many wine lovers. Over 50% of wine from Provence is pink, or as some might say, pink. Many of its wines are pink and soft, but others are not. The region is home to dozens of grape varieties, often unavailable elsewhere. With an average of three thousand hours of sunshine per year, it is not surprising that many of Provence wines taste baked.

A secret to making fine wine tasting is to limit his production. Bandol AOC reviewed below its neighbors and high quality are capped by law at 180 cases per acre (40 hectoliters per hectare). In this area producers could double their production, almost without effort. But gains in quantity would be lost in quality. Voila. Limiting the production of wine of Corsica has reduced the lake of Europe famous or rather infamous wine.

Although Provence has many places to visit, start by paying tribute to this hometown wine, Bandol, population eight thousand. It is on the coast, about thirty five miles (fifty five kilometers) south-east of Marseille and has become a tourist attraction. Bandol harbor has a capacity of fifteen hundred sailing which means many, many yachts. It is quite a dive and fishing in deep water. In high season, unless you love crowds you're better off visiting the vineyards right outside the city.

For a change of pace head for about four miles (six kilometers) north of Bandol to The Charlotte d'Azur, a medieval village about three miles on a hill overlooking the vineyards. Vincent Van Gogh was here. When you see it, you'll know why.

Before reviewing the Bandol wine and imported cheeses that we had the chance to buy at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are some suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region. Start with Aubergine (Egglant puree). For your second course savor Poisson aux Herbes de Provence (Fish with Herbs de Provence). For dessert, treat yourself Pie Nuts (nuts and honey and almonds).

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are on sale at retail.

The Wine Review Area Galantin Bandol Rouge 2005 14.0% about $ 20.00

Let's start by quoting the marketing materials. Description Bandol, the most serious wine of Provence, [is] typically a deep flavor, lush red blend dominated by the grape Mourvedre. Tasting Note (Jancis Robinson, Oxford Companion to Wine, 3rd edition, 2006) This version is especially Mourvedre with a touch of Grenache for balance. His fine collection of aromas include cherry, anise, marzipan, and garrigue. And now for my review.

Before the first meal I sipped some of this wine. It was dark, fruity, powerful and long. You know that wine is present. The first meal was made deli-thin strips of beef with sliced vegetables. I added rice and a Thai hot sauce. The wine is long and strong with dark chocolate. I get the distinct impression that this could reflect any Bandol. I get an image: people sitting around a fire eating raw or scar.