Smooth Sailing

With summer halfway over it’s time for all of you who haven’t had a chance to visit the ocean to get out there and splash around in the refreshing waters. Here are two wines I found to be perfect seaside accompaniments; rosé and a deep white to go with the deep blue of the ocean. They are both perfect pairs for seafood and perfectly refreshing. Relish in the beautiful summer days and sip away on these spritely French wines.

2009 Domaine Pellehaut Harmonie de Gascogne Rosé  France              $11.00

In a land of fois gras, Armagnac and cool Mediterranean breezes we present you a delicious rosé from Côtes de Gascogne a region in Southwestern France by the Pyrenees. Monsieur Gaston Béraut operates his estate family style. Gaston Béraut oversees the entire operation; which includes raising cattle, sunflowers and wheat. His son Martin is the vineyard manager and his other son Mathieu is the winemaker. Mathieu spent time in Bordeaux learning how the masters of Bordeaux create their fiercely powerful reds as well as in Southern California working with Au Bon Climat, to gain an appreciation for the American market and understand the ways of the ‘New World’. In conjunction with their other products not wine related the family is able to keep the operation completely chemical-free such as using manure as fertilizer.

This pretty rosé  vinified from Merlot and Tannat has good weight rounded out with flavors of raspberry, strawberry and watermelon with a vein of minerality that keeps this wine from being too fruity. Enjoy this wine with shrimp cocktail as an appetizer or for those craving a land based pairing go with fois gras, a local staple for the Gascognois.

2007 Domaine de Lalande Pouilly-Fuissé Mâconnais, France                $34.50

My French is getting better daily! Researching this wine I came across its translation; Lalande translates into being the field in the moor. How appropriate since this wine comes from the cool foggy area of Burgundy; specifically in the Mâconnais region. Pouill Fuissé is noted to be the best places for growing Chardonnay in the region. It is produced by Dominique Cornin a seasoned winemaker in the region. This wine has seen a little oak and therefore has a fuller mouthfeel and nice toasty notes. There are ripe citrus flavors, matched with the oak it delivers a very long mouthfeel, allowing for all the subtleties to emerge from the glass. This is a great wine for those who do not want to spend the money on a prestigious Meursault but want a taste of the softer side of Burgundy.

To accentuate the nutty flavor; almond encrusted trout is a delicious pairing. Or try one of my personal favorites; escargot simmered in a rich garlic butter sauce.

TR