2005 Officers (till January 2006)

President: Tone Kelly (585) 265-3943

Secretary: Fred & Molly Fant (585) 225-3029

Treasurers: Richard & Pamela Hemmenway

(585) 392-0046

MARCH TASTING NOTES:

Lesser Known Grapes of France

Wines:

Ent.: 2003 Vouvray-Domaine le Peu de la Moriette($10)

1. 2001 Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh sec- Ch. Montus($20)

2. 2002 Savennierres – Domaine Closel($17)

3. 2002 Touraine – Ch. de la Presle ($9)

4. 1998 Cahors –Ch. du cayrou ($11)

5. 2001 Madiran- Ch. Montus ($28)

6. 1994 Madiran- Ch. Montus ($30)

7. 2002 Coteaux du Layon- Domaine Ogereau($19)

8. 2000 Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh November harvest

Ch, Brumaire ($20- split)

Top Wines:

1. #8 with 35 votes

2. Entry wine with 24 votes

3. #6 with 22 votes

4. #7 wine with 21 votes

Notes

Most Americans are familiar with the major grapes of France: Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, etc. However France grows over 150 grape varieties! Geography (and terroir!) helps to dictate which varieties are grown in each region, and the winemaking experience which dates back to 600BC has allowed each of the varieties to produce some very good wines. Some of these wines are produced in non-appellation regions and may be available as “vin de table” wines.

The Entry wine was made from the Chenin Blanc grape, as were the #2 and #7 wines. Of interest is the ability of this grape to produce a dry, a semisweet and a sweet wine! It was also noted that wines from the Chenin Blanc grape should be cellared for about 10 years to allow all the nuances of the wine to develop, and this long cellar requirement has been a deterrent to the wine’s success. French winemakers are trying to produce wines from this grape that can be enjoyed young by adding over-ripe grapes to the blend. This addition can result in a wine with honey and green apple notes.

The Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh sec was produced from the Corbu grape and comes from the southwestern part of France, near the Pyrenees Mountains, and featured a buttery nose.

The 2002 Savennierres was a dry wine made from the Chenin Blanc grape and featured honey and green apple on the nose.

The 2002 Touraine and the 1998 Cahors were served as a flight. The Touraine (from the Tours region) is from the Gamay grape and had leather and tobacco on the nose, and soft tannins in the mouth. The Cahors was made from the Malbec grape and showed wood and floral on the nose. There is some acid in the taste which married well with the sausages that accompanied.

The 2001 and 1994 Madiran wines were poured in the next flight. These are made from the Tannat grape and produce a wine with full mouth feel, good balance and an excellent match to the smoked duck breast.

The last pairing were sweet dessert wines. The 2002 Coteaux du Layon was made from Chenin Blanc and was reminiscent of a late harvest wine, while the 2000 Pachrenc du Vic-Bilh was made of Petit Manseng grapes and was similar to an ice wine. The wines were accompanied by custard filed “profiterole” pastries..

The tasting was accompanied by a very informative discussion of the regions, the soils and the climate of the growing region. A special thanks to the committee for a wonderful introduction to some new French wines to add to our cellars.

Committee:

Vincent & Laetitia Bagnoud, Rich & Pam Hemmenway, Brian Thomas, Alice & Jeff Neff, Cathy & Dave Steklenski, Holly Howell

CHAPTER BUSINESS

The plans to offer electronic communications to those members who prefer it has progressed to a point where we can send the notes and the tasting announcements electronically. If you would prefer to have electronic notification, please provide Fred Fant (fredfant@yahoo.com) with your e-mail address. It was moved, seconded and passed that we would waive the local dues for those who elect to have all their communications (notes and announcements) come electronically.

The Monroe Community Hospital Wine Tasting will be held on Friday May 6, 2005 from 6-9PM in the MCH Auditorium. The event will feature approximately 300 wines to be sampled. Look for information on the tasting at Marketview Liquor.

UPCOMING TASTINGS

May 21: “The Wines of Turkey” with Mustafa Coskun, Mete Ozeren, Brian Thomas, Gerhard & Charlotte Klose, Lisa Martin and Linda Budinski