About Wine features wines not typically on one’s shopping radar. Unique wines with a story to tell; of place, process or style. Highlighting artisanal producers making reasonably priced wines (< $50 retail), all the while demonstrating careful Earth consideration.
2014, Château Mourgues Du Grès (CMDG), Terre d’Argence (TDA)
ABOUT THE REGION: Created to enable visionary winemakers in the restrictive French winemaking world; IGP Pont-du-Gard lies north of Marseille, west of Arles (van Gogh painted in Arles in 1888), near Nimes in the Southern Rhône Valley.
ABOUT THE MAKER: Founded in 1990 by François and Anne Collard, CMDG remains family owned and operated.
ABOUT THE BLEND: TDA is a blend combining the traditional white grapes of neighbouring regions The Rhône Valley (Viognier/Marssanne), and Southwest France (Petit Manseng).
ABOUT THE ESTATE: A breezy landscape of multi-coloured alpine marl, the CMDG vineyards incur the aeration benefits (cooling and insect/fungal control) of both northern Mistrals and southern Mediterranean winds. ‘Terre d’Argence’ or ‘Land of Silver’, refers to the estate’s silver-coloured olive trees flashing in said winds. The varied CMDG terroir (steep slope and gentle plateau) is selectively planted with the varietal best befitting each.
ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY: Certified organic (ECOCERT SAS FRANCE) since 2004, CMDG is considered Near-Vegan (sheep used to cultivate vineyard rows prevents official designation). The Collards maintain significant olive and cyprus woodlots; creating an ecosystem benefiting local flora, fauna and avian populations.
ABOUT THE WINE: A luscious medium-bodied gold in-glass, yeasty aromas of stone fruits combine with floral highlights. On the palate, flavours of Meyer lemon, ripe apricot and yellow apple end long with a distinctly salty finish.
ABOUT PAIRING: Indian cuisine, sablefish, lobster, or veal with grilled mushrooms
ABOUT AVAILABILITY: Check liquorconnect.com (call the listed store too) confirming availability.
CSPC #796714
ABOUT PRICE: $40
