Six thousand: that’s the number of varieties of grapes listed on “Planète Vin”. Among these thousands of types of vines, largely native species, only a few special ones reach international status.

Domaine Gerovassiliou Malagousia Vieilles Vignes 2022

Seasoned oenologist and apostle for native varietals, Vangelis Gerovassiliou endeavours to return speech to grapes rendered mute over the ages. One example is this malagousian grape produced by the Ktima Gerovassiliou estate.

A brilliant white wine with a muscat nose, floral, shades of Alsace. To that add pepper and pineapple reminiscent of a lively gewurztraminer. A long finish…shaped like a peacock’s tail.

Pairs well with the fleshy aspect of Québec oysters.

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Vinedos Emiliana Signos De Origen El Rincon Pinot Noir 2021

Demanding by nature, pinot noir expresses itself well only in temperate climates. The siliceous soil and cool morning mists of the Casablanca Valley (Chile) provide to these fastidious grapes a made-to-order home, and it’s where you’ll find the pinot noir vines of the Emiliana vineyard.

Ruby red, limpid and brilliant, aromatically timid on first opening, but twenty or so minutes are enough to erase this shyness which hides aromas of currant and quince jelly, fresh tobacco and undergrowth. The charming complexity continues in a mouth sustained by a pleasant tension which pulls out the fruitiness on a smoky finish joined by elegant tannins.

Instinctively: with glazed duck breast on toast.

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Maison Les Alexandrins par Nicolas Perrin Crozes-Hermitage 2021

In a search for old, forgotten vines, Jaboulet, Sorel and Caso transform their expertise into pleasure under the label “Maison Les Alexandrins”; this experience dates to 2021.

Intrinsically syrah, this crozes-hermitage charms with its cherry and blackcurrant nose. Both pedigreed and generous on aromas of pepper and anise, it is made to be pleasant in its youth without astringency.

Delicious Rhone corrider “glug-glug”.

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