Gérard Bertrand is a leading producer in the South of France. As a wine-grower and owner of thirteen estates, he has acquired a unique expertise in the terroirs of Languedoc-Roussillon. The grapes are cultivated using sustainable methods, most organic and or bio-dynamic. Brought up in the Languedoc vineyards, Gérard Bertrand is committed to sharing the characteristics and exceptional diversity of each of the terroirs of this region which produces sparkling wines, reds, whites, rosés, varietal wines or appellation wines. This Saturday we’ll be tasting a slice from this cornucopia.
Crémant de Limoux, Cuvée Thomas Jefferson $15
70% Chardonnay, 15% Chenin Blanc, 10% Mauzac, 5%pinot noir
This crisp bubbly wine has aromas of white flowers and white fruit, a fresh and lively opening, with enjoyably smooth, indulgent bubbles forming delicate foam. Notes of dry and grilled fruit emerge in the long-lasting finish.
2010 Muscato, IGP Pays d’Oc $13
A blend of the Muscat d’Alexandrie and Muscat Petit Grain varieties, this cuvée comes from vines with limited yields giving the wine a rare quality and great complexity. This wine offers a bouquet boasting aromas of orange blossom, apricot and peach. Its highly expressive flavors give it astonishing freshness enhanced by great aromatic presence. 10% alcohol.
2010 Pic Saint Loup, Coteaux du Languedoc $15
Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache
The village of Pic Saint-Loup is a mountain peak in the Coteaux du Languedoc known for its distinct terroir. Flanked by limestone cliffs, with optimal sunlight exposure and light winds, these soils produce rich, concentrated wines with elegant notes of ripe dark fruit (blackcurrant and blackberry) and hints of thyme and spices. The wine has floral aromas of thyme and red fruit in the nose, nuanced with delicate hints of licorice, black olive tapenade and cherry brandy, mineral freshness and elegant tannins.
2011 Château Hospitalet, La Reserve, La Clape Rouge $18
40% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre
Situated on the coast, Château de l’Hospitalet looks down on the Mediterranean from a height of a hundred meters. The vineyard enjoys exceptional climatic conditions: the quantity of sunshine and the heat stored during the day by the limestone and released to the grapes at night, the Mediterranean influence reduces temperature differences and the altitude which counteracts the summer heat. Aromas of spices and red fruit (strawberry) lead to fine, silky tannins which enhance the fruity freshness of the wine.
2009 Banyuls, Vin Doux Naturel $17
Grenache, Grenache Gris
Located on the slopes of the Pyrenees in Roussillon, Banyuls is a kaleidoscope of sea, mountains, sunshine and wind. The vines open to the generous climate and produce expressive, quintessential, rich, powerful, elegant and aristocratic wines. The Grenache based dessert wines of the region are exceptional with aromas of very ripe red and black fruit and full and well-balanced flavors of blackcurrant and blackberry, backed by distinctive woody notes.
Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.