KARWIG WINES

KARWIG WINES

Off to the Dordogne at the weekend and got in a little wine practice last evening with a bottle of Chateau Belingard’s silver medal Bergerac rouge. According to the  the producer, this wine, “known for its Cabernet Sauvignon nose, can happily accompany most dishes”. “It is ideal with all types of meat..or with fish or cheese.”

Tested it with a Spaghetti Bolognaise and later with the Europa League final! It was served ambient, as suggested, and very enjoyable: fresh, blackberry, medium bodied. Must admit, I didn’t get too much of the “cabernet sauvignon nose” but otherwise, it was all there.

The hilly clay/chalky vineyard is in the county of Bosredon in the south of the Dordogne and the grapes used are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet France and Malbec. The vineyard, which also produces an excellent Monbazillac is open to the public and isn’t a million kilometres from my base at Sarlat. Indeed, there is a 90 minute tasting session scheduled for Saturday June 5^th for a tenner and I may well call over.

But you don't have to go to France to get your hands on the Belingard wines as Karwig Wines have a selection and the rouge costs €11.15. Met Maurice there this week and he gave me some great tips for the Dordogne area, not to mention a loan of a very informative book on French wine.

Current shopping list:

Cotes de Bergerac, Moelleux, Saussignac

Monbazillac AOC – one of the great vin liquoreux

Pecharmant AOC – finest red of Perigord

Cotes de Marmandais VDQS – little known but good value

Cahor AOC – classic, inexpensive

Cotes de Buzet AOC – excellent, well regarded,

Vin de Pays de Agenaix – substantial red.

Fronsac 2005

St Croix du Mont (sweet)

Madiran

 Bandol

Banyul (fortified)