tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604297838201539175.post475887356825015765..comments2023-10-19T09:46:53.613-04:00Comments on Artisan Wine on a Budget: Domaine de Font Sane Cotes du Ventoux, 2005Fred McTaggarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01568104809300139407noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604297838201539175.post-47016660685427383022009-02-26T08:09:00.000-05:002009-02-26T08:09:00.000-05:00Cote Rotie means "roasted slopes," but they are ro...Cote Rotie means "roasted slopes," but they are roasted by sunshine, not hot weather. The hilly area north of Valreas (the Northern Rhone) is much cooler than most of the flatter area south of Valreas (Southern Rhone). But even the Southern Rhone is moderate compared, say, to Missouri. Mojave Desert? No.<BR/><BR/>And there are certain areas of the Southern Rhone that are relatively cool--such as Gard (to the west of Orange) and the hills of Ventoux east of Gigondas.<BR/><BR/>I may sound more authoritative about the geography and climate of france than I really am. Even though I have traveled in that area twice, most of my knowledge is second hand (from wine writers, etc.)Fred McTaggarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01568104809300139407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604297838201539175.post-36611012905058129992009-02-26T01:34:00.000-05:002009-02-26T01:34:00.000-05:00I've been pretty impressed with Vielle Ferme the l...I've been pretty impressed with Vielle Ferme the last few years. I'll look for the Font Sane as well.<BR/><BR/>I've never quite understood why Syrah is considered a cooler weather grape in France, yet the Core Rotie is so highly prized. Isn't that like the French Mojave or something?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604297838201539175.post-85189952995320863282009-02-25T23:38:00.000-05:002009-02-25T23:38:00.000-05:00Actually, I meant "cool" rather than cold. Mont Ve...Actually, I meant "cool" rather than cold. Mont Ventoux is a mountain (2,000m) just to the east of Gigondas, and it's cooler than the flatter land to the west. It also has a poor limestone soil that is very good for growing wine grapes.<BR/><BR/>Ventoux wines are considered fruity, easy-to-understand wines. (Maybe that's why I like them so much.) As a result, they are generally less expensive even than simple Cotes du Rhone and certainly not ranked with CDR Villages. <BR/><BR/>As you might guess from my posts, I have a thing for Ventoux wines and Font Sane in particular. The fruit, I feel, is well defined and the wine has more depth and complexity than the price suggests. La Vieille Ferme is another favorite.Fred McTaggarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01568104809300139407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1604297838201539175.post-13650758792977461192009-02-25T22:46:00.000-05:002009-02-25T22:46:00.000-05:00What exactly do you mean about the cold climate Sy...What exactly do you mean about the cold climate Syrah in the Cotes du Ventoux, Fred? Is Cotes du V. like a Villages designation?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com