The Winterlicious festival is kicking off this weekend and Toronto’s restaurants are preparing for the flood of foodies and a very busy couple of weeks. If you prefer your dining room table to the harvest table at the local gastro-pub, this week’s pairing will make your weekend meal just as ‘winterlicious’. The 2015 Château de Gourgazaud is a rich, smooth red from the sunny shores of the French Mediterranean - a delightful wine to sip on its own, pour with dinner, or share at a party.
Tasting Notes: A blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre, this gem is packed with black and red berry fruit (blackberry, blueberry and cassis), plum and spices. Plenty of soft tannins give this wine a velvety texture and balanced feel.
Enjoy With: Roasted or grilled red meats (prime rib, steak, burgers) or hard cheeses.
Style: Full-bodied, smooth and fruity red wine.
Terroir/Region: The Château is located in the Minervois AOC within the Languedoc wine region on the Mediterranean shores, close to the French/Spanish border and the Pyrenees Mountains. Minervois was recognized for its grape-growing potential centuries ago when it became the first region planted by the Romans who settled in Southern France, establishing the ancient city of Minerve. Grapes for Château de Gourgazaud’s red wines come from high terraces and rolling hillsides of sand and sandstone which give the wine finesse and structure.
Producer: Château de Gourgazaud has been recorded on local maps since the 1600s and has been owned and operated by the Piquet family since the 1870s, with the 4th generation of the family now at the helm. The Piquets were the first to plant Syrah and Mourvèdre in the region and these grapes have become the backbone of the Chateau’s wines. The family’s 100-hectare property is set between the Montagne Noire (Black Mountains) and the Pyrenees Mountains creating a natural amphitheatre ideal for growing grapes.
Availability: The 2015 Château de Gourgazaud is available year-round in the France section at the LCBO. Grab one now to taste what the Romans recognized centuries ago – the allure of Southern France!
Price: $13.45
LCBO#: 22384
Size: 750 mL
Alcohol Content: 13.5% alc./vol.
