French wines in Madrid a few days ago, Spanish wines in Paris tonight. This is about time for France and Spain to discover what they have next door, so though Vinology together with me.
Vinology is a young beautiful lady working in wine in Madrid. Just like Miss Vicky Wine, she organises original wine events for everyone and to entertain companies.

The Vicky, Vinology happy alliance all happened in October during the European Wine Bloggers conference in Lisbon where about a hundred of us gathered to chat about wine and Internet. A few month later here we are with Vicky’s Wines selection in Madrid, Vinology’s wines selection in Paris.

On a hot madrilean day, 50 Spanish, French and English invaded Olivera lounge bar to taste some wines from the Languedoc, Rhône and Burgundy region. Was also around a wine from Portugal... No neighbour we should forget ! The French songs, cheeses and saucisson made all of the wine taster feel for a moment they were back home. A lovely evening in Madrid!

Vicky’s Wine Selection

• Domaine de Venus – A few weeks before the tasting I received an email from Domaine de Venus to taste their wines. Surprised by the name and curious about it all.. I went for a sip.. and a few more. Surprising : with character and elegance, the wines from domaine de Venus are many but in tiny quantity. 15ha, 40 different parcelles, 50 000 bottles and about 10 different wines. From the Roussillon, they are aromatic with tannins but no agressivity. The winery is new (2002) but the winemakers have already succeed by reaching a high standard and creating their own style.

L’Effrontée 2007 Vin de Pays des côtes Catalanes (Grenache, Macabeu) : A white that is already on some of the best Parisian tables. With such a provocative wine, it can only mark your palate of a cheeky memory. Mineral, with a butter note and some spice it has white flowers and citrus notes that keep it fresh. Its complexity will make it a wine to discover again each time.

Le rosé Osé 2009 : With an daring light orange color, it is also light on the palate and will make it the perfect refresher. Uncomplexe but with some minerality and very dry, it will be my good friend along the pool this summer.

Domaine de Vénus 04, Côte du Roussillon (Syrah, Carignan, Grenache): Vicky’s crush for the domaine de Vénus. Charming nose of red ripe fruits and exciting spices. You will feel the tannins reminding you the sun that is always in the region, but the softness on the palate is the perfect touch to balance it. An elegant combination of density and lightness. Glamourous !

La Gramière 

I have met Amy Lillard in Lisbon and her, smile and wine adventures made it obvious that I had her on the Madrid tasting.
Going to France and make wine is the dream of many lovers. The dream came true for Amy and her husband Matt, both from California when they decided to move to France. From San Francisco they went to the vines of the Rhône where they have bought 4,5 ha in 2005. Amy was already working in wine and had her first vineyard experience in Burgundy, Matt still has an other job at Cisco but is a true wine lover. They seem happy and I have the feeling they won’t go back home anytime soon.

As if the dream was already not beautiful enough… Amy’s wine  La Gramière 06 (syrah, mourvèdre, grenache) is eco friendly, organic, fun and deliciously fruity and has very appealing texture with a touch of silk and a hint of spice. A very fresh and distinguished wine, for a soft pleasure.

Our friend Oscar from Portugal
We’ve met Oscar in Lisbon and were impressed to see he had a wine at his name : Oscar’s wine, the perfect pleasure wine. It is young as the Port house of his family – Quevedo, founded in 1991, and I feel assured there will be plenty of other good years. With tannins but easy drinking, it is under 10 euros and will be perfect for you barbecues. 

So of course Oscar is also a Port Lover and help the Quevedos to make high class port wines out if their 100 hectares in Douro.
We liked Oscar’s wine and Quevedo’s Rose Port for their freshness and simplicity. Perfect for an easy fun summertime !

Vinology’s option
My friend Vinology is Spanish but… she knows and love the French. She brought back from her last trip a very high standard Chassagne Montrachet from Domaine Ramonet. A confidential production in Burgundy known by all for its quality. No social media, no website for domaine Ramonet - discovered in 1930 by an American that contributed to its renown, it has never failed since.

Domaine Ramonet Chassagne Montrachet 2007:  Some of the best Chardonnay in the world. A classic from Burgundy, complexe with a lot of body, long in the mouth, buttery. Aged in oak, it is perfectly integrated with the freshness of the fruit.