The Rangen vineyard is a unique Grand Cru in every sense of the word. It is the most southerly Grand Cru vineyard in Alsace, and one of the highest, and the only one to be entirely on volcanic rock. The wines produced are intensely mineral and long-lived.  Chateau d’Orschwihr’s Riesling “Rangen” is no exception.  Flint and gunpowder on the nose balances the ripe citrus and stone fruit. The high Riesling acidity is not sharp, but well rounded with a salty tang typical of Rangen wines.

This 2009 Riesling is just starting to come into its own, and can easily evolve for another 5-10 years.  Unlike most white wines, we recommend letting this one breathe for 30 minutes to 1 hour before drinking.

Pair with seafood, poultry, sauerkraut, pork knuckle, or goat cheese.

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Hard to spell, even harder to pronounce, Chateau d’Orschwihr’s Gewurztraminer Bollenberg is very easy to drink. Sweet, but not too sweet with only 16g/l of sugar (very sweet wines can have 80-100g/l or more, dry wines normally have 2-8g/l), you’ll find opulent notes of exotic fruit (think lychee, peach).

Pair with spicy Asian dishes, curry, or soft pungent cheeses.

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Chardonnay makes up only 1% of the entire vineyard area of Alsace, and most Cremant d’Alsace is made from Pinot Blanc and aged for around 12 months before release.  So when we tell you that this Cremant is made from 100% Chardonnay, and is aged for 7 years sur latte (on the lees), you know it’s something special.  Chateau d’Orschwihr’s Cremant is up there with the best Champagnes: full of delicious toasty brioche, honey and dried fruit notes and fine, creamy bubbles.  Dry, with only 4.2g/l of residual sugar, this is the perfect bubbly for any occasion.

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With intense black fruit and spice aromas, Domaine Jolivet’s Saint Joseph l’Instinct is still very young and powerful, but already approachable with silky smooth tannins (lots of them!), and showing an attractive savoury character.   This outstanding example of Northern Rhone Syrah can be drunk now, or left to develop for a few more years if you have the patience!

Recommend decanting for 1 hour before drinking.

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Antares is the main star in the scorpio constellation.  It also happens to be the name of this delicious organic AOC Lirac made from a blend of Grenache and Mourvedre, full of earthy ripe black and red fruit, oak and spices.

Lirac is an AOC situated almost directly west and across the Rhône from the Châteauneuf du Pape AOC.  The wines can be very similar in style to their more famous neighbour, but because Lirac is not as well known, you can find hidden gems like this one which offer outstanding value for money!

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Almost everyone who knows anything about French wine knows Châteauneuf du Pape.  Although the regulations allow up to 13 varieties of grapes to be used, Domaine Duseigneur prefers to use 100% Grenache where possible letting the spicy, berry flavours of this variety shine, although in certain vintages they will sometimes add up to 10% of Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault.

Catarina is named after Catherine of Siena, a saint who visited the nearby city of Avignon (which by the way is beautiful, we highly recommend you visit if you get the chance) in the year 1376.

This superb organic Châteauneuf du Pape is made from grapes grown on 3 vineyards, then aged in old oak barrels for 12 months before bottling.

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Almost everyone who knows anything about French wine knows Châteauneuf du Pape.  Although the regulations allow up to 13 varieties of grapes to be used, Domaine Duseigneur prefers to use 100% Grenache where possible, letting the spicy, berry flavours of this variety shine.

Le Songe de Catherine, like the Catarina, is named after Catherine of Siena, a saint who visited the nearby city of Avignon in the year 1376.  It was said that she used to have mystical dreams or visions, the name “Le Songe de Catherine” means “Catherine’s dream”.

You might be wondering why le Songe de Catherine is more expensive than Catarina, since they’re both Châteauneuf du Pape, are both organic, and are both made from 100% Grenache?  Well, le Songe de Catherine is a single-vineyard wine, similar to Premier Cru or Grand Cru Burgundy, while Catarina uses grapes from 3 separate vineyards.  Le Songe de Catherine is also aged for twice as long as Catarina in oak barrels, giving more time for the tannins to soften and complex aromas to develop.

Because all the grapes in le Songe de Catherine come from a single vineyard, the soil has a great influence on the wine.  This particular vineyard is planted on soil that is mainly composed of limestone slabs, which is rather rare for a Châteauneuf du Pape wine, and gives freshness, elegance and balance.

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La Miroenière Blanc is a very rare wine, only produced in small quantities of around 900 bottles and only in certain years.  Made from old vine Clairette and white Grenache to give a beautifully subtle, organic wine with delicate floral, ripe citrus and tropical fruit aromas.

The post Domaine Mouriesse Vinum – La Miroenière Blanc 2017 appeared first on The Malted Grape.

La Miroenière Rouge punches well above its weight, with aromas of ripe cherries and dried herbs evoking the Mediterranean climate where it is made.  Unlike most other IGP wines, La Miroenière Rouge will benefit from aging, so even though it’s from 2016, you’ll be able to enjoy it now through at least 2024.

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If you think you know Beaujolais, think again.  This organic old vine Morgon will make you rethink what the Gamay grape is capable of.  Made from 2 parcels of old vines, 1 of over 45 years of age and the other over 110 years old (that’s right, these vines were there before World War 1), this Morgon isn’t your typical Beaujolais, meant to be drunk young.  Bursting with complex red and black fruit and earthy mineral, you’ll find gamey, savoury notes creeping in as it ages.

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