{ SOMMjournal.com } 5
first press
IN FRANCE'S SUD-OUEST,
GAILLAC AOP PIQUES
THE PALATE WITH
ANCIENT AND UNDER-
THE-RADAR VARIETIES
WHEN WE SAY ANCIENT, we mean
ancient: Gaillac was one of the first vine-
yard regions of France, planted to vine
in the f
ourth century
bce, when Romans
wandered the countryside and established
viticultural strongholds in ancient Gaul.
It is hard to say what exactly was planted
at the time, but what evolved is a lineup of
varieties not often seen, and (sadly) less
often tasted. Loin de L'Oeil (Len de L'El),
Duras, Braucol, Prunelart, Mauzac and
Ondenc were a few of the grapes that
graced the labels of the wines assembled
at a recent tasting at The Gander in New
York City.
Master Sommelier
Fred Dexheimer gets
geeky about Gaillac
at The Gander, in
New York City.
PHOTO:
DOUG
YOUNG
PHOTO:
DOUG
YOUNG
PHOTO:
DOUG
YOUNG
Hiding in
PLAIN
SIGHT
Master Sommelier Fred Dexheimer (center) chats
with owner of L'Enclos des Braves Nicolas Lebrun
(left) and Michel Abood of Vinotas Selections.
