The Camargue region was once described as a world of water, sun and wind where nature is at ease with itself. A land of bulls, wild horses and pink flamingos, and the home to vines which thrive on the sandy coastline where they are never short of either water or sun. I believe that about sums it up quite nicely.
If at all possible, I like to be technically correct when paring a wine and more specifically is the wine du pays? A great wine from the Loire is all well and good but not with a dish that has strong regional roots. It would be well, unheard of, just not done and hardly crickett. Wines that are made in the Camargue are called Vins de Sables or Wines of the Sand reflecting the character of the region. So my first wine selection is truly local – du pays and can be purchased at the Domaine, Route départementale 58 in Montcalm which is between Aigues Mortes and Les Saintes Maries de la Mer.
Domaine Le Pive Rouge has a very nice blend of Merlot which gives you a combination of an aroma of fruit and body with the aromatic complexities and spicy notes from the Black Grenache grape. This wine is brilliant ruby red colors with a fruity nose with hints of blackberries and strawberry and spices. Fruity on the palate yet light with just a hint of tanins. I guess it pays to be a cowboy in Camargue.
Domaine de la Mordorée – Châteauneuf-Du-Pâpe, La Reine des Bois – 2003
When simply nothing else will satisfy you then I suggest this little gem. Probably best characterized as a deep dark and concentrated wine with wonderful smokey and spicy aromas of real intensity and with no obvious desire to leave you hanging and wondering. It stays with you for the duration. That impressed and that what I liked about it. As I so crudly put it, it has a high drinkability quotient here and now, but can certainly benefit from a few more years cloistered away until its time.
Côtes du Rhône – Domaine Saint Pierre Vacqueyras 2006 is a great wine for this dish hands-down. It has that deep ruby/purple color almost inky hue; blackberry and cherry liqueur notesare highlighted with licorice and a roasted espresso-like character. Full-bodied style. A blend of predominatly Grenache and Syrah (40%).
Fronsac, Saint Aignan -Château les Tonnelles come from an ancient estate in Saint Aignan in Fronsac on the Right Bank of the Dordogne River. This is a wine that not only Charlemagne or the Cardinal Richelieu could appreciate but a peasant such as myself could as well and all breeds in between. This wine is made up of 100% Merlot grapes and the end result is heaven masquerading as a full bodied wine, dark and shades of purple. Aged in oak for around 15 months, is smooth and round in the mouth and has flavours full of black fruits. It’s a real beauty. High five to the King and the Cardinal.