Drink

Two French wines from O’Briens September sale

Wines for the Weekend: southwest France makes for a happy hunting ground for new flavours and varieties

A blended white wine from Côtes de Gascogne and a malbec from Cahors

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John Wilson
Fri Sep 8 2023 - 05:00

Two wines from southwest France this week, part of O’Briens September Wine Sale, which started last week. I have always been fond of this part of France having spent several holidays there. The wines are great, varied and usually keenly priced too. There are almost too many areas and too many grape varieties too, but it makes it a happy hunting ground of you want to try something new.

The Côtes de Gascogne (or simply Gascogne) covers a large swathe of land in southwest France. The region produces large quantities of fresh, easy-drinking white wines at affordable prices. This wine is made from a blend of three local grapes; colombard, Gros manseng and ugni blanc. Together they taste uncannily like sauvignon blanc.

We love Malbec from Argentina, but this variety originally came from southwest France over a century ago. It is the key ingredient in the wines of Cahors as well as being grown in Bordeaux and other regions. If you enjoy the Malbec below, O’Briens has two delicious Cahors for a few euros more.

[ Wines that punch above their weight for under a tenner ]

[ You don’t have to spend a lot to drink good wine ]

Domaine Duffour Père & Fils Gascogne 2021

Amazingly aromatic with ripe tropical fruits balanced perfectly by lively lemon zest. By itself, with shellfish or light creamy pasta dishes. 11.5% abv, €9.95 down from €13.95 from O’Briens

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Pyrène Malbec L’Irrésistible Lune Noir Malbec 2021, Comté Tolosan

Medium-bodied with ripe cassis and plums with a touch of spice. There are no rough tannins and the finish is nicely rounded. For a real treat, try it with cassoulet, a rich bean stew traditional in the region, a rare steak, or roast, stuffed mushrooms. 12.5% abv €12.95 down from €16.95 from O’Briens.

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