Varietal: 95% Grenache; 5% Mourvedre
Region: Rhone – France
Cost: $20
Deep purple in color with aromas of leather, licorice, berry, and cassis. Â Earthy flavors with dark berries and a hint of licorice and pepper. Â Pairs well with pasta bolognese and beef.
Recommendations: French wine is one area where I have a serious weakness in making selections. Â It’s not that I haven’t enjoyed French wine when drinking it, but only that it wasn’t a region I indulged in when I first got into wine, and as I’ve gotten older and expanded my wine horizons, it’s still been missed in favor of other regions. Â I’ve decided it’s time to rectify this situation.
During a trip to my local Richmond wine shop for a tasting, I confronted the owner about my problem and asked him to help me. Â He helped me pick out a couple of bottles, one of which, the 2005 Maison du Midi, was actually on the employee recommended list. Â Two people recommending a wine to me is usually enough to make me buy it.
My wife and I paired the Maison du Midi with a simple dinner of pasta bolognese, and we both said the same thing about it. Â Earthy. Â Aromas of licorice, creme de cassis, and leather blended well with earthy flavors of dark fruit and a hint of cassis and pepper. Â I very much enjoyed the wine partly because it paired quite well with the meal, and also because I’m a fan of earthy wines.
This is the second Rhone I’ve had in recent months, and it’s quickly becoming a region I’m intrigued by. Â While I’m still learning about French wine, I suspect it’s going to be an education that I enjoy. Â I very much enjoyed the 2005 Maison du Midi and will have to keep it in mind for future purchases.
