Weekend Wine... Abbaye Sylva Plana Faugeres
November 19, 2010 at 12:00 pm by Jay
2008
Abbaye Sylva Plana Faugeres
Languedoc, France
$18.99 (17.09 today & tomorrow)
The
Wine... is Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvedre. Tossing
around the term “hot” to describe the heightened alcohol level would be
doing a disservice to this blend from the southern region of Faugeres.
Think of it more as “warmth,” perfect for short days and long nights
when such a thing can feel hard to come by. Assertive berry fruit
flavors give way nicely to soft pepper and more earthy elements in the
wine. The savory and smoky finish will consummate a partnership with a
braised pork shank, or a spicy iteration of lentils with eggplant and
leeks.
The Estate... comprises 100 acres of organically farmed grapes surrounding a monastic structure dating from the 12th Century: sounds like a paradise. The property’s schist soils retain heat and water, accentuating Faugeres’ Mediterranean-ness: the wine is plenty ripe.
The Land... is warm, arid, and sunny. The Languedoc-Rousillon is a wide swath of land along the southern coast of France, from Spain to the Rhone River at Arles. There are similarities between this region and its neighbors to the east, Provence and the southern Rhone. This is an easy place to grow grapes, and there are many, many people doing so, both winemakers as well as growers selling off their harvest. The region’s surrounding hills protect it from the extremes of the Mediterranean and Atlantic climates, and they enjoy a micro-climate particularly suitable for making quality wine.
The Estate... comprises 100 acres of organically farmed grapes surrounding a monastic structure dating from the 12th Century: sounds like a paradise. The property’s schist soils retain heat and water, accentuating Faugeres’ Mediterranean-ness: the wine is plenty ripe.
The Land... is warm, arid, and sunny. The Languedoc-Rousillon is a wide swath of land along the southern coast of France, from Spain to the Rhone River at Arles. There are similarities between this region and its neighbors to the east, Provence and the southern Rhone. This is an easy place to grow grapes, and there are many, many people doing so, both winemakers as well as growers selling off their harvest. The region’s surrounding hills protect it from the extremes of the Mediterranean and Atlantic climates, and they enjoy a micro-climate particularly suitable for making quality wine.