As a general rule, wines bearing the humble designation Vin de France are simple and inexpensive. Normally, they are table wines, meant to be consumed more or less immediately, and not pondered over too much. However, when Paul Avril, winemaker of the legendary Chateauneuf du Pape house Clos des Papes, decides to make a Vin de Table using fruit from several old-vine parcels, the result is startling and impressive. The nose is packed full of cherry, dark berries, and savory herbs. The palate is full and rich, but not opressively tannic, with fantastic acidity in the finish. 
Mr. Avril’s little wine
In Uncategorized on January 24, 2012 at 5:07 pm2009 Chidaine Montlouis Breuil.
In French Wine on January 17, 2012 at 6:28 pmI came into an oyster bar in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle tonight on a recommendation from the pickiest foodie I know. The quality and selection of fresh oysters certainly did not disappoint, but as a consummate wine geek, my moment of greatest elation came when I noticed that they have 2009 Francois Chidaine Montlouis sur Loire Clos du Breuil on the glass list. I was already very much enjoying the Domaine Pépière Muscadet, but this Chidaine is another world. It smells like spiced orange cream garnished with flowers, and tastes like a parfait of lemon, mango, and passionfruit. If you’ve read my blog at all, you know I don’t use points, but if I did, this wine would get a lot of them.
