Below are the May, 2006 Featured Wines for the Wines by Jennifer Wine Club.

White Wine Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu Muscat de St. Jean de Minervois Languedoc, France NV The community of St. Jean de Minervois is located on an arid plateau covered entirely by small limestone rock, 820-1000 feet above sea level. The vineyard benefits from its own "appellation controlee". It is contiguous to, but separate from, the much larger appellation of Minervois. Made of 100% Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains, Muscat de St. Jean de Minervois is one of the great sweet, fortified wines of France. The wine is a rich golden color with an immediate and powerful nose, distinguished by complex aromas suggesting apricots, quince, mandarin orange, honey and Muscat. On the palate the wine is simply luscious. It is best drunk young with peaches, apples and grapes. It will also match rich, strong cheeses, or desserts such as apple tarts, almond cake or pecan pie. A traditional French match is with sautéed foie gras or Roquefort cheese. This wine can also be used as an aperitif. Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu is an association of winegrowers in the Languedoc-Roussillon. The exquisite vineyard stretches from the Pyrénées Mountains to the Rhone River along the Mediterranean coast. Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu was established in 1967 by a small group of dynamic winemakers whose vineyards border the picturesque Orbieu River in the heart of the Corbières. One of the largest wine producers in the world, Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu is recognized worldwide for high-quality, innovative wine-making, and restoring the reputation of the Languedoc-Roussillon. There are over 37,050 acres planted, with 17 cooperative cellars producing 560,000 hectoliters (3.5 million cases) and 200 private cellars producing 190,000 hl (1.2 million cases) of AOC wines. Their 160 Châteaux and Estates in the Languedoc-Roussillon represent 14% of total AOC production, making them second in varietal wine sales in France (representing 40% of all varieties harvested in the Languedoc-Roussillon).

Red Wine 2001 Chateau de Jau Cotes du Roussillon Village Roussillon, France The Dauré family has long been acknowledged as the premier winemaking family of Côtes du Roussillon. Their holdings are comprised of three estates: Château de Jau, Les Clos de Paulilles and Mas Cristine. Built in 1792, Château de Jau (considered the "Chateau Margaux" of the Roussillon) is located in the southernmost foothills of the Roussillon slopes of the Corbières Mountains in French Catalonia. The winemaker is Estelle Daure. This wine is composed of 48% Syrah, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Grenache Noir and 12% Carignan. It is dark red in color, with intense, ripe berry-tobacco notes in the nose and a generous perfumed aroma. There are concentrated flavors of dark fruits supported by rounded tannins and good acidity leading to a long, sustained finish. Pair with lamb, grilled steaks, veal chops, sausages, barbeque and hard aged cheeses. It's been said that Languedoc-Roussillon vineyards are to wine what the Middle East is to oil. In the heart of the Midi in southwest France, the region is the largest and most intensively cultivated wine area in the world. Also one of the oldest wine regions of the world, it sprang from a Greco-Roman culture dating back to 200 B.C. that first nurtured the vines of France. With more than 700,000 acres of vineyards (almost twice as many as California) the Languedoc produces about a third of the total French crop. It's the region most active in the production of Vin de Pays varietals, wines the French drink at home daily.

 

Wines by Jennifer is also proud to announce our new "Cellar Club", featuring a new wine each month suitable for long-term aging. Call the shop and ask for Jennifer for all the details on this exciting new Club, or visit our Featured Cellar Club Wine page for details on this month's selection.

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