Cuvée “Champs Fleurs” 2019

The colour is deep gold. On the nose banana, nuts and butter. In the mouth not very fresh and fading. Not much aftertaste.

This wine is made in Arbois by Domaine Martin Faudot with Melon à Queue Rouge grapes.

Melon à Queue Rouge is a mutation of Chardonnay, which was found in the French region of Jura. There is no relation to the Melon de Bourgogne variety. The name rouge is not derived from the colour of the berries, which are white, but from the reddish coloured trunk.

Arbois in located in the eastern part of France and is the Jura wine region’s most-prolific appellation. The shop of Domaine Martin Faudot is one of the three I visited in Arbois during my summer holidays. I left upset with myself for letting the salesperson trick me. After tasting a few wines, I decided to buy two bottles to take home. Not only he sold me a different vintage than the one I tasted, he also charged me 2 EUR extra a bottle, with the argument that they were older vintages. I find this behaviour outrageous, but at the end it was my fault. I should not have bought any wine from such a crook.

For this bottle I paid 17 EUR at the winery, although it sells for 15 EUR (see the reason above).

Country: France
Region: Jura
Grapes: Melon à Queue Rouge/Chardonnay
Type: White
Vintage: 2019
Producer: Domaine Martin Faudot
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 1/5

Sauvignon Collection Otto Graf Huyn 2020

The colour is light straw. On the nose grapefruit, melon, mango, green pepper. In the mouth fresh and savoury. The aftertaste last for a long time.

This Sauvignon Blanc is produced by Cantina Bolzano/Kellerei Bozen under the Südtirol/Alto Adige DOC. Continue reading “Sauvignon Collection Otto Graf Huyn 2020”

Maestro 2018

The colour is deep wild salmon. On the nose raspberries, strawberries and some ginger. In the mouth very savoury, but with a taste that reminds me of a candy, a trait that I personally don’t find very appealing. The aftertaste last for quite a bit.

Maestro is a Classic Method sparkling wine made 100% with Sorbara grapes. Sorbara is regarded as the best of the many Lambrusco clones. Continue reading “Maestro 2018”

Solaris Schloss Heidegg 2020

The colour is medium gold. On the nose pleasantly perfumed, with hazelnut, banana and white peach. In the mouth aromatic, with medium acidity. The aftertaste last for quite a while.

Solaris is a hybrid white wine variety grown mainly in Baden, a wine region of Germany, where it was developed in 1975. Its parent varieties are Merzling and the functionally named Gm 6493 (a crossing of Zarya Severa and Muscat Ottonel). Continue reading “Solaris Schloss Heidegg 2020”

Acrux 2015

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose red berries jam. In the mouth drying tannins and a bitter finish. The aftertaste is rather short.

Acrux 2015 is made by Viña Sutil winery by blending 37% Carménère, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot. These are the original six red grapes of Bordeaux. Continue reading “Acrux 2015”

MV Gran Reserva 2017

The colour is deep purple. On the nose plums, blueberries, raspberries and some cinnamon. In the mouth warn, with well integrated tannins. The aftertaste fades away quickly.

This wine is made in Argentina with 100% Malbec grapes and on the back label is declared to “undergo 15 months aging in new French and American oak.” Given the wording, I wonder if the wine goes in the wood or the wood in the wine. Continue reading “MV Gran Reserva 2017”

Gjola 2020

The colour is medium copper. On the nose it is not very expressive. My nose is hard pressed to distinguish some nectarines and red apples. In the mouth refreshing, with a pleasant peach aftertaste that last for a while.

This rosé wine is made 100% with Caricagiola grapes. The Caricagiola grape is a black grape variety widespread in Sardinia and is probably also native to it, in particular from the Gallura area. Continue reading “Gjola 2020”

Grosjean Fumin 2018

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose peanuts, black pepper, curry, and blackberries. A unique aroma that I find interesting. In the mouth well balanced, with an aftertaste that last for a while, although not very savoury.

This wine is made with 100% Fumin grapes by Grosjean winery in Valle d’Aosta. Continue reading “Grosjean Fumin 2018”

Savagnin 2017

The colour is deep gold. On the nose pears, nuts and curry. In the mouth well-balanced and tasty. The savoury taste last for a long aftertaste.

This wine is reminiscent of a Fino Sherry. In fact, it is aged for four years under a layer of yeasts, called “voile” in French.

It is advised to open a Savagnin that has aged “sous voile” at least four hours before tasting. Continue reading “Savagnin 2017”

Vignamorello 2019

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose, aroma of ripe amarena, blueberries and plums. In the mouth, bitter and astringent, a remarkable contrast to the intensely fruity nose. The aftertaste is rather short.

Gutturnio is a DOC of the hilly vineyards south of Piacenza, in western Emilia-Romagna. Barbera must account for 55-70% of the blend, with the lesser known Croatina contributing 30-45%. Continue reading “Vignamorello 2019”