FOUR SHIRES v FOOD & WINE wine OF THE month
MOULIN DE LA GARDETTE, GIGONDAS 2007
In the southern Rhone Valley in France, below the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains, the village of Gigondas and the vineyards that surround it have been producing wine since Roman times. Gigondas was granted Appellation Contrôllée (AC) Côtes-du-Rhône- Villages status in the early 1950s and was then promoted to AC Gigondas in 1971.
Gigondas is a very good alternative to the more costly wines of nearby Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It tends to be full- bodied, plummy and rich, predominantly using the soft flavours of the Grenache grape (up to a maximum of 80%) and lesser amounts (maximum 15%) of the tannic Syrah and/or the aromatic Mourvèdre in the blend. Other Rhone grape varieties are also used, up to a maximum of 10%, with the exception of Carignan.
Moulin de la Gardette has been run by 49-year-old Jean-Baptiste Meunier, fifth generation winemaker, since 1990. He is one of the most respected winemakers of the area. His vines, grown on mainly red clay soil at an altitude of 100 to 300 metres, are between 20 and 65 years old. Meunier does not use herbicides or artificial fertilisers. The grapes ripen easily in the Mediterranean climate and are hand harvested. In the modern winery that he built on the premises in 2003, the must is left to ferment naturally using mostly its own yeasts. After fermentation has taken place the wine is matured in oak barriques and then careful assemblage of the grape varieties in this particular blend – 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault – takes place.
This full-bodied and rich wine has ripe red fruit mingled with tobacco and peppery spice flavours. It is
deep and complex with soft tannins, and it will continue to develop well for up to a decade. It is a particularly good accompaniment to game dishes, ragout of lamb and ratatouille.
Moulin de la Gardette Gigondas 2007 retails at £20.99 for a 75cl bottle. Mention Four Shires and receive 10% discount.
SH JONES, BANBURY v 01295 251179
RED FRUITS WITH MASCARPONE AND VANILLA CREAM
Ingredients for four people:
For the assortment of red fruits: 750g seasonal red fruits (such as raspberries, cherries, strawberries, red currants, rhubarb); alternatively, a packet of frozen red fruits 100g sugar • 30g corn flour
For the mascarpone and vanilla cream: 1 pack of Galbani Mascarpone (250g) 1 vanilla pod • 250g semi-skimmed milk 70g sugar • 1 1/2 teaspoons corn flour
Prepare the fruits, if necessary cutting them into small pieces, and put them in a saucepan with 250 cl of water and the sugar. Boil for about 5 minutes, then dissolve the corn flour in a little water and stir it into the fruit. (Check for sweetness and if necessary add more sugar). Then distribute the mixture over 4 dessert glasses and leave to cool. Cut the vanilla pod lengthways, open it and add to the milk; heat in a small saucepan. In the meantime, dissolve the corn flour in a little water and stir into the milk. Bring back to the boil, add the sugar, making sure it dissolves, remove from the heat and leave to cool for about 30 minutes. Remove the vanilla pod, amalgamate the vanilla-flavoured milk with the mascarpone to form a smooth cream and serve with the fruit mixture.
Leonardo De Felice Supplier of the Finest Italian Wines & Foods
Come and visit our showroom and warehouse, where you can enjoy a real Italian coffee while you browse and taste our many products on display. Also there is plenty of easy parking. We stock top quality Parma ham, salami, Italian cheeses, including Pecorino from Sardinia and Buffalo Mozzarella, fresh organic and gluten free pastas. Also many kinds of Antipasti, including Sundried & Sun Blushed tomatoes and a large choice of Taponades. We also have a full range of Italian wines from every region of Italy, including Prosecco which makes a perfect Bellini cocktail for a special occasion. Prosecco also goes particularly well with many varieties of Colomba Panettone which have just arrived for Easter. Try one instead of chocolate! EVERYBODY WELCOME.
Under New Management Open Mon - Fri:8 am till 4 pm, and Sat: 9 am till 1 pm 4 Penhill Industrial Park, Beaumont Road, Banbury, Oxon, OX16 1RW
tel: 01295 265684 or 07590 676464 email: info@
leonardodefelice.co.uk
MARCH 2012 v FOUR SHIRES 57
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