Join us this Thursday 5:30 - 8 for some VDF wines (Vin de France).
So what is the VDF designation all about? We are working with Flow Wine Group to bring you these wines, and they do a great job of explaining it......
"Aside from the obvious (French wine), Vin de France is a new national appellation from France. France is known for its individual appellations. For example, you don’t necessarily buy a Pinot Noir; you buy a Burgundy. You don’t necessarily buy a sparkling Chardonnay; you buy a blanc de blanc Champagne.
This is how it’s always been done in the “Old World.” The U.S is the “New World .” and the rules are different here. We buy wine by grape variety. We do buy a Pinot Noir or a sparkling Chardonnay. It may come from different regions, but it’s still generally labeled by the grape variety.
All of us know someone who has a real expertise in wine – but only California wine. It’s much easier to be an expert in this because it’s much more straightforward. You go to Napa for Cabernet Sauvignon, but you can also get a Sangiovese. It’s the easiest way to learn wine. Americans, who pay attention to wine, tend to do it by grape variety.
The French are learning that lesson. The concept of Vin de France is to make it easier for people to understand wine – even if it happens to be French wine.
.... Obviously, all French wine has been referred to as ‘vin de France’ throughout history just like US wine is ‘American wine.’ The difference is that VdF actually means something else now.
In order for the designation to have any real meaning, the grape varieties must be listed on the bottle (and no other appellation can be listed). The idea is that the average American wine consumer can pick up the bottle and know what to expect. Many of these wines are made by producers who also make appellation-based wines. They get a higher price and more educated consumers for those, but they produce VdF wines to bring in the entry-level consumer. An example of this is La Petite Perriere Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from the Saget family in the Loire Valley.
You will also find wines designated VdF that are far from entry level. These are usually made by iconoclastic winemakers who don’t want to be bound by appellation rules. "-https://www.flowwinegroup.com/what-is-vin-de-france/
Got it? It's wine designated by Varietal from France .....so we have for you this week a Skin contact Pinot Gris, a Grolleau, and Pineau D'anuis ......Read on for more info. Otherwise see you Thursday!
Duport Vin de France Pinot Gris 'Le Beurot'
Skin-contact Pinot Gris from 25-40 year old vines planted to limestone and siliceous clay soils hand-harvested at the end of August. Direct pressed and spontaneously fermented with indigenous yeasts for at least six weeks in stainless steel with temperature control. Aged for two months and filtered.
Pear, spice, citrus. Pair with an arugula salad with Parmigiano-Reggiano, lemon and Balsamic or any green salad with some kick.
Damien Bureau, La Poivrotte VDF 2020
La Poivrotte - 100% Pineau d'Aunis from Damien Bureau in Anjou. If you don't know what name of the wine means, let's just put it kindly, it's someone who might want to drink A LOT of it. Light-bodied, slightly peppery, raspberry fizz. unfined, unfiltered. Give it a swirl first, for maximum enjoyment (ie to blow off the funk).
Babass “Groll N' Roll" VDF Red 2019
Sébastien Dervieux, musician turned shredding natural winemaker, makes some of most sought after natural wines in the world and we got our hands of a bunch of em.
His 100% Grolleau is an every-day vin de soif mouth filling and rich with black currants, baking spice and a slight fizz. Unfined, unfiltered, no additional So2. Rock out !