{"title":"Pudding Wine","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"france-domaine-de-lancienne-cure-monbazillac-jour-de-fruit-2023-bergerac-organic","title":"France: Domaine de L'Ancienne Cure - Monbazillac 'Jour de Fruit' 2023, Bergerac (Organic)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape varieties: 90% Sémillon, 10% Muscadelle. Certified organic (\"Vin Bio\"). \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFifth generation winemaker Christian Roche inherited part of this property in 1984, and decided to build his own winery and set up shop as a specialist sweet winemaker in this region of the Dordogne, with Monbazillac of course being famous for its botrytised sweet wines. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBotrytis is a fungus that thrives in humid conditions and in most winemaking circumstances is entirely unwanted - and often disastrous - but when it attacks very ripe grapes that are high in sugar, it dehydrates the berry to create an intensely sweet, concentrated nectar. While in most cases botrytis just causes awful rot, in this case it becomes 'noble rot'! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Sémillon variety is particularly susceptible to botrytis - due to its thin skins - and it accumulates very high sugar levels when left on the vine into the autumn, while it is usually able to retain some acidity for freshness, albeit the resulting wine does often need additional acidity and aromatic 'lift' hence Muscadelle being blended into this wine (and\/or often Sauvignon Blanc) - but it is only in a few wine regions of the world, due to the need for very particular climatic conditions (e.g. dry yet humid autumns), where the production of high quality botrytised sweet wines is possible. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn his constant quest to develop better wines, and noting that conventional farming practices impoverished soils, Christian decided to convert the entire property - all 40 hectares, 15 of which are in the hallowed perimeter of Monbazillac - to organic farming. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe botrytised grapes are late harvested and vinified only in stainless steel. This aromatic, complex, yet hugely refreshing and easy-to-enjoy Monbazillac is among the best of the region. In this wine, its sweet fruit character is beautifully offset by uplifting acidity. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 points, Wine Spectator\u003c\/strong\u003e - This wine, with its honey and orange-marmalade aromas, is rich in botrytis. The wine's sweetness is balanced by a streak of acidity, giving freshness to this rich wine. Organic — Roger Voss.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt can be drunk as an apéritif or with cheese - particularly blue cheeses - fruit desserts, and of course pâté e.g. foie gras.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"#WineObsessed","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53785960579419,"sku":null,"price":23.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0948\/7741\/7819\/files\/MonbazillacWebsiteBottle.png?v=1786726298"}],"url":"https:\/\/wineobsessed.co.uk\/collections\/pudding-wine.oembed","provider":"#WineObsessed","version":"1.0","type":"link"}