20011012

Vin du Pays or "country wines" were more or less born in 1973, envisioned to be an improved version of the lowly table wines("VDT -vin de table). While subject to structer regulations than VDT, there is far more flexibility for wine makers than in AOC or VDQS (vin delimite de qualite superiure) wines.

From near zero in 1973, Vinde Pays is now about 25% of annual French production, or arround 130 million cases. About 70% of these are red. With a global market in mind, a huge number are marketed as varietals -i.e., Cab/Merlot.

The freedom from strict AOC rules has attracted many winemakers, including numbers of foreign makers, notably Australian, and brought fame and perhaps, fortune to same. It has also created room for export of lots od boring plonk. I would, however, encourage all who haven't yet, to explore the many fine Vin du Pays that can be had for a fraction of the cost of their more famous Classified cousins.

Glass No.	Wine	Year	Grape	Region	Yen	Shop	Rank	1s	2s	Ls
A	Atrium, VDP du lot, George Vigouroux	1999	Malbec	-	980	Cave de Le-Rax	8	0	0	7
B	Les Rogues, Vin de Pay D'Oc J.M.Boillot.	-	-	-	3,200	Les Cave Taiievent	3	4	5	0
C	Le Chant de Marjolaine, VDT, Jean Marie Rimbert	1999	-	-	2,300	Les Cave Taiievent	2	4	7	0
D	Les Brune VDP D'Oc Domaine Des Creisses	1998	-	-	4,100	Les Cave Taiievent	1	7	5	0
E	Domaine L'Aigueliere, VDP du Mont Baudile	1999	Grenat	-	2,100	Les Cave Taiievent	5	4	1	6
F	Vin de Pays, de la Principaute d'Orange, Domaine Rabasse Charvin	1990	Syrah	-	4,500	Les Cave Taiievent	8	0	2	4
G	Syrbec, Comte Cathare, VDP D'Oc	1998	Syrah	-	1,580	Cave de Re-Lax	6	1	2	2
H	Mas de Daumas Gasac, VDP de L'Herault	1997	-	-	3,980	Cave de Re-Lax	3	5	2	2
I	Tortoise Creek, Les Amoureaux VDP D'Oc	2000	Merlot, Cab	-	880	Cave de Re-Lax	7	1	2	2