by Patrick Ogle
Are Gascon whites the last great bargain whites in France?
Yes.
Sure you can buy cheaper wines but cheap isn't always a bargain is it? Also, not every single wine from the area is guaranteed to not suck but that is true of more prominent locales as well. I can recommend some Burgundies that are horrible if you would like!
Domaine des Cassagnoles make wine and Armagnac (like many producers in the area). Their basic white,from what I've read anyway, is a blend of two grapes, ugni blanc and colombard . Click to read more about those in detail but the former is one of the grapes widely used in the production of cognacs like Armagnac. The latter is a white often used to punch up acidity on potentially flabby blends (those grown for jug wines in Central California in the 1970s for instance.
Are Gascon whites the last great bargain whites in France?
Yes.
Sure you can buy cheaper wines but cheap isn't always a bargain is it? Also, not every single wine from the area is guaranteed to not suck but that is true of more prominent locales as well. I can recommend some Burgundies that are horrible if you would like!
Domaine des Cassagnoles make wine and Armagnac (like many producers in the area). Their basic white,from what I've read anyway, is a blend of two grapes, ugni blanc and colombard . Click to read more about those in detail but the former is one of the grapes widely used in the production of cognacs like Armagnac. The latter is a white often used to punch up acidity on potentially flabby blends (those grown for jug wines in Central California in the 1970s for instance.
These are generally crisp light wines with solid acidity. They will have fans in lovers of New Zealand sauvignon blancs (although they do not have any of the grass or grapefruit). Likewise someone into unoaked, non-buttery chardonnays or super dry rieslings will find something to like here.
Keep in mind these are not incredibly complex wines with many nuances. Nor will they impress your snooty friends. But if you are trying to impress your friends with your wine? Well that sounds like something to talk to your therapist about in any case.
Try some of these Gascons until you find your fit.
Some sources--
For those who missed it above the Domaine des Cassagnoles website.
An interesting , and occasionally eye-roll inducing, travel piece from CNN.
And back to Wine Searcher! (as Ive noted elsewhere? They provide great information but sometimes I question the editorializing "this is a BAD, BORING grape!")
It is also worth noting the two links above in the body of this are from Plant Grape--Catalog of Grapevines Cultivated in France which is an invaluable resource.
Keep in mind these are not incredibly complex wines with many nuances. Nor will they impress your snooty friends. But if you are trying to impress your friends with your wine? Well that sounds like something to talk to your therapist about in any case.
Try some of these Gascons until you find your fit.
Some sources--
For those who missed it above the Domaine des Cassagnoles website.
An interesting , and occasionally eye-roll inducing, travel piece from CNN.
And back to Wine Searcher! (as Ive noted elsewhere? They provide great information but sometimes I question the editorializing "this is a BAD, BORING grape!")
It is also worth noting the two links above in the body of this are from Plant Grape--Catalog of Grapevines Cultivated in France which is an invaluable resource.
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