HERE TODAY GONE TOMORROW

HERE TODAY GONE TOMORROW

Euro Trio from 2007

BUZET 2007: They said I could keep it up to five years. They also said “it's a wine for today and for tomorrow”. Now, I say, it is a wine of yesterday.

Les Vignerons de Buzet is one of the leading wine producers in South-Western France and they can’t half boast. “Since the ancient times of the Roman legions and up till now wines of this region have a remarkably exquisite bouquet and unforgettable harmonious flavour.”

The land around the château was cleared in the 7th Century. Its soils were conducive to vine-growing and were well exposed to the sun. The Chateau they refer to is Bougigues and I enjoyed a bottle of the 2007 red yesterday. It is deep in colour with a modest though pleasant nose. On the palate it is dry but this full bodied wine has plenty of fruity charm and is easy to drink.

Bought this bottle in the Sarlat branch of the ubiquitous Leclerc  and it cost me all of €4.89.

ORBALLO ALBARINO 2007: From the Rías Baixas  , the most eastern region of Spain. My bottle weighed in at 12.5% and cost €12.99 from Curious Wines a couple of months back. 

The local Albarino (which accounts for 90% of all plantings in the region) produces a lively crisp, aromatic and bone dry (razor sharp, according to Janice Robinson) wine which is a refreshing alternative and is ideal with a wide selection of seafood.

It is bright and pale lemon in colour, with fruity citrus aromas on the nose. The palate is full-flavoured, the ripe fruit balanced by a refreshing smack of acidity. To sum it up: Dry, modestly fragrant, fruity, easy to drink.

Bodegas La Val is a relative newcomer as this bodega was only founded 20 years ago. It has since grown to become one of the largest vineyard owners in , with over 90 hectares. This 2007 vintage won a Silver Medal at the 2007 Decanter World Wine Awards.

How to pronounce Rías Baixas? Go here

BAGLIO CURATOLO NERO D’AVOLA 2007: The Curatolo family have been making wines in Sicily since 1875 and the Baglio Curatolo Nero D’Avola is included in their Premium list. This almost black 13.5% product is strong all round: plum in the bouquet and on the palate. It is full bodied with a powerful structure that makes you sit up and take notice immediately and has a long spicy finish. It has been aged for six months in French or American barrels and is a really smashing wine to go with red meat, ideal with Osso Buco.

The Curatolo range, including their famous Marsala, is distributed here by Liberty Wines.