HWG Price Book May-Aug 2017

The Henry Wine Group

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Cinsault, is on the increase. White wines from a wide range of varieties (Grenache blanc, Clairette, Viognier, Roussanne, Picpoul, Bourboulenc, Carignan blanc and Ugni blanc, to name a few) also show great promise. Rosés are also top-notch, from either the saignée or direct press method. TAVEL AOC: for rosé wines only, and has one of the Rhône’s longest and most widespread global pedigrees. The wines were immediately popular with the liberating American and British soldiers advancing up the Rhône Valley in 1944. Thus US markets were bountiful for Tavel, and the wine–easy to pronounce–was widely consumed both in the US and by American tourists to the region. Tavel produces the most famous French

dry rosé, considered to be the best in the country. There are nine varieties permitted for Tavel, a mix of red and white. The Clairette, Bourboulenc, and Picpoul, all white, contribute aroma and acidity. The allowed red vines are Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, and Calitor. Most wines are made largely from Grenache and Cinsault, using the saignée method (bleeding the juice off the skins after a 24-48 hour maceration). Many also practice the direct press method, which results in a lighter color and style of rosé, arguably influenced by the success of Provence’s rosé wines. Either way, the best combine body and fruit to make a classic example of dry rosé wine, and are the classic accompaniment to Mediterranean cooking of both summer and winter.

THE VIN DOUX NATUREL AOCs OF THE RHÔNE VALLEY RASTEAU AOC: the first of the Rhône’s two vin doux naturel AOCs, from a minimum of 90% Grenache. There is also a Rasteau Rancio AOC, where the wines are stored in oak casks, exposed to sunlight, for a minimum of two years, where they develop their “rancio” character. MUSCAT DE BEAUMES-DE- VENISE AOC: This Côtes-du- Rhône-Village also has an AOC for vins doux naturels made from Muscat blanc a petits grains and Muscat rosé a petit grains. These are the most elegant of the world’s sweet fortified Muscat wines.

• AUBENAS

• MONTÉLIMAR

GRIGNAN •

•

Grignan- les-Ashémar

• Rousset-les-Vignes • Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes

RUOMS

Côtes du Vivarais

• Valréas

■ Vinsobres

• Visan

• Saint Maurice

Rasteau ▲■

• Puyméras • Vaison la Romaine

• Sainte-Cécile • Suze la Rousse Roaix •

Rochegudes •

• Séguret

■ Cairanne

• Sablet

• Massif

Saint Gervais •

■ Gigondas ■ Vacqueyras ▲■ Beaumes de Venise

d’Uchaux • Plan • ORANGE

Chusclan • Laudun •

de Dieu

•

LUSSAN

•

Côtes du Rhône Villages

■ Châteauneuf-du-Pape

• CARPENTRAS

ANDUZE

Duché d’Uzès

Tavel ■ Lirac ■

•

Ventoux

UZÈS

• AVIGNON

Signargues •

• CAVAILLON

• Gadagne

•

Luberon

NÎMES

Clairette de Bellegarde

• ARLES

Costières de Nîmes

• MONTPELLIER

• MARSEILLE

• = Main Towns • = Côtes du Rhône Villages ■ = Crus of the CdR ▲ = Vins Doux Naturels

May–August 2017

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