Values in French Wine – Tasting Series Day 2

Domaine Catherine and Didier Tripoz Macon Charnay 2013

Located in the southern part of the Macon region of Burgundy, Domaine Tripoz sits on 13 hectares of medium- to old aged vines (average age is 45), mostly dedicated to Chardonnay. Didier Tripoz produces his wines with sustainable agriculture practices. By allowing grass to grow in between the vines and regularly ploughing the land to support an active biological environment, the vines work harder and thus create a complex wine with more concentrated flavors. Neal Martin of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate calls the Macon an “outstanding value.”

L’Enclos des Braves Les Gourmands 2011

Hailing from the relatively wild and unknown Gaillac region of France, located Northeast of Toulouse, Nicolas Lebrun produces amazingly soulful wines from his biodynamic estate. After working in the wine industry around France for 12 years, Nicolas purchased this small estate in 2005 where he not only utilizes biodynamic principles, but indigenous yeasts. With limited sulfuring this wine is like dark purple velvet with hints of teasing minerality and a long lingering finish.

Terres Georges Et Cetera Minervois 2012

Domaine Terres Georges is run by a husband/wife duo, Roland and Anne-Marie Coustal. Anne-Marie took over her parents’ vineyard in 2001, and has since put the main focus on producing organic wines. Their vines, aged between 10 and 60 years, are densely planted in some wild terrain surrounded by garrigue and woodland. The wines are spicy, gorgeous blends of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Mourvedre, priced just right and ready to drink or lay down for the years to come.