A Couple Of Youthful Reds From The Rhone and The Veneto

A Couple Of Youthful Reds From The Rhone and The Veneto

Mas Theo Le P’tit Gaby (Vin de France) 2019, 13.0%,

€14.65,  Taste Food & Wine Shop in Castletownbere, Mary Pawle

This blend from the area of Drome (about 20 minutes east of the Rhone river) consists of 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 20% Carignan and it is organic and biodynamic.

Colour is a mid to dark red. Aromas are rather concentrated, a melange of floral and fruity (blackcurrant), herbal notes too. And there’s a double barrelled palate, fresh and forward fruit (nothing jammy about this) and high level spice, the aromatics still a factor. This very drinkable Rhone wine impresses all the way to the lip-licking finish..

While the fruit is grown and the wine is made in the Rhone, it is labelled Vin du France, but don’t let that put you off! Very Highly Recommended.

While the Rhone in general may have its problems - this year’s big freeze for example - Mas Theo has one of its own. They’ve named it Operation electric fence.  “The presence of the wolf in our woods has been officially confirmed which also resulted in this predator decreasing the wild boar population. We would have thought we were quiet for grapes but there are finally some resilient ones who are in the industry and enjoying the sweetness of our clusters.” 

Tips from the source: This is a good wine to consume in its youth, which helps to highlight its fruity and slightly spicy notes. P’tit Gaby was the nickname of Laurent Clapier’s great grandfather : Gabriel Théolas.

Match with: grill on the barbecue, aperitif with tapenade, gambas a la plancha …

Service temperature: 10°C.

*Mas, by the way, simple means farmhouse. You’ll see it in Provence (Mas de la Dame was a favourite of mine on one visit to the area) and also at the other side of the Pyrenees (Mas Igneus, for example, is a Mary Pawle supplier in Priorat).

Giol Cabernet Sauvignon Veneto IGT 2019, 12.5%, 

€13.70 Taste Food & Wine Shop in Castletownbere, Mary Pawle

This organic (and vegan friendly) Cabernet Sauvignon blanc from the north east of Italy is a deep ruby colour. The aromas are fresh and fruity with a herb-y hint. The palate is quite intense, flavours of cherry and red and darker berries, harmonious start to finish. It is a youthful Cabernet Sauvignon and quite a pleasant easy-drinking wine that has no added sulphites. Highly Recommended.

They say: Our grape must and wines are pure grape juice; they are not tampered with in any way but are shown respect and allowed to mature naturally. In addition to the organoleptic quality of the flavours and aromas, we also guarantee food quality: digestibility, hygiene and freshness. Our products are as genuine and honest as our know-how and experience makes possible….  For nearly 600 years, our winery has placed an emphasis on nature, quality and beauty. Our family’s long experience is apparent in our esteemed wines.”

Pairings: haute-cuisine meat dishes, charcoal-grilled meats, red and white roast meats, fancy poultry and game, mature cheeses like medium-mature and mature Piave, and medium-fat semi-hard cheeses. Serve at around 20° C to heighten the aromas and flavours.