Informal concours des Touraine primeurs@Epeigné-les-Bois

2009 Gamay grapes@Le Clos du Porteau, Saint-Georges-sur-Cher

Mark Robertson reports on this annual concours held in Epeigné-les-Bois

The results of last night's degustation of Primeurs. 12 highly motivated judges - nine wines tasted blind. Amongst the "traps" - 2 bottles of the same wine (Domaine de la Girardière) plus a Beaujolais Nouveau and a Gamay from the Ardèche.

Overall the judges thought the standards high, a good year with lots of ripe fruit made for concentrated, mouth-filling wines with a good balance of acidity.

The results as follows with details of the medals awarded to each wine in local competition. Maybe surprising but the Epeigne panel was somewhat at odds with the professional panels. Nobody liked the Paul Buisse, it was slightly pétillant and had an unpleasant "confected" taste.

Winner was Caves Père Auguste from Civray.

The evening was rounded off by a ragout of pork with buttered noodles, cheeses and a mouthwatering selection of home made desserts (canelles, creme caramel, pain d'epices, gâteau chocolat et poire poches au vin rouge).

2009 Gamay grapes@Le Clos du Porteau, Saint-Georges-sur-Cher

2009 Gamay Primeur, Père Auguste – surround of label would make a good shirt!

Results

1st Caves Père Auguste (41 points)
2nd joint Lycee Viticole Amboise & Domaine de la Girardière (Silver medal) (38 points)
3rd joint Domaine de la Girardière (Silver medal) & Beaujolais (36 points)
4th Closerie de Chanteloup (Silver medal) (31 points)
5th Gamay d’Ardeche (30 points)
6th Plou et Fils (Silver medal) (28 points)
7th Paul Buisse (Gold medal) (17 points)