September, 2008
Les Vins Contés Poivre et Sel, 2007, $20
When we invited friends Dana Pickell from Triage Wines and Scott Frank from Cameron Winery over for dinner, we guessed they’d probably bring a delicious and interesting bottle along with them – and we were right.
This beautifully pale Loire Valley red is a blend of pineau d’aunis and gamay, both relatively light bodied and delicate grapes, making this a red wine suitable for lighter fare such as fish, pork, or chicken. Yet with sharp notes of black peppercorns – as the name (poivre) implies – this wine can complement the bold flavors of food off the grill (as our dinner that night verified). Earthy, floral, and strawberry aromas and flavors round out the picture. A wonderfully complex wine for the price, but warning: this is not a wine for the Australian Shiraz lover!
About pineau d’aunis: A relatively obscure Loire Valley varietal found principally in the Saumur region where it’s used for reds, rosés, and sparklings. The grape produces light-bodied wines that typically show bright red berry character, black pepper notes, and occasional hints of graphite or pencil lead.