Deux-Pieds
Adopting vines in the Languedoc
The wines
The assemblage
The
assemblage is the process during which the Domaine Bourdic wines
with names like Le
Mori or
L'Hortalesse
are created by mixing grape varieties together,
as opposed to wines
called Tempranillo or
Grenache which are made from one specific variety.
The assemblage is
the moment
when the viticulteur
creates a prize-winning stunner or makes a pig’s ear of it; the moment when all that
hard,
painstaking work, and
possibly the vineyard’s future, teeters on the refinement of
Hans'
taste buds and the confidence, or
uncertainty, of
his wine-making vision.
The wines
All of our blended wines have Occitane names. Apart from the rosé, all the wines are red.
L’Hortalesse means a garden.
Think of a Beethoven symphony and you’ll have the measure of
this superior red – noble, round and classic.
Le Puech means a little hill.
Expressive, spicy and exotic, this wine was specifically
created for men. We’re
not quite sure what this says about Hans as all the women
round here think it’s gorgeous.
La Sentinelle means the guardian.
Sky-scrapers and cowboy hats, this is Bourdic’s most modern
wine and the nearest in character to the
Le Mori is named after a shady part of the vineyard. This wine is like a good conversation – easy and fruity but with a strong structure, it is the only blended wine which is not oaked.
Single cepage
The Tempranillo is not a Rioja but you
can tell that
The Grenache is definitely a Southern wine. Concentrated, sensuous and spicy, it rather enjoys snuggling up to a chunk of dark chocolate.
The Syrah is a big, muscly red. Chewy and long-lasting, this is the wine for hunter-gatherers – perfect with a haunch of wild boar or a venison stew.
Merlot seems to be one of those wines that you love or hate. But if you’re a lover, this one will push your buttons.
The Rosé is a blend of merlot and cinsault and is definitely not a lightweight. Very fruity, lively, and with a body to die for, this rosé insists on being drunk entre les amis. It’s what summer is all about.
Picked as late as possible, L’Amandier is a dessert wine though not at all sweet. It is smooth and strong and tastes of jams and plums. Un vin de tendresse, it also tastes great with chocolate.
Pulling the cork
- Twelve bottles of wine, with your name on them, come home.
- This is your moment.
- You slice around the foil and draw the cork.
- You let your wine reach room temperature.
- You pour your wine, glowing with the knowledge that this action is a genuinely-felt metaphor suffused with the deep affection you feel for your dear friends.
- Your dear friends continue to talk about car insurance.
- You wait.
- They sip.
- They raise an eyebrow.
- They ask.
- And you reply, “This is some wine from my vineyard. What do you think?”
