TOKYO WINE SOCIETY TASTING

Vin de Pays (Red)

October 12th, 2001

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

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