Awards and citations:


1997: Le Prix du Champagne Lanson Noble Cuvée Award for investigations into Champagne for the Millennium investment scams

2001: Le Prix Champagne Lanson Ivory Award for investdrinks.org

2011: Vindic d'Or MMXI – 'Meilleur blog anti-1855'

2011: Robert M. Parker, Jnr: ‘This blogger...’:

2012: Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story

2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award




Friday, 11 February 2011

Two further discoveries@2011 Salon des Vins de Loire

Lionel Gosseaume with his Petit Meslier

Lionel Gosseaume (Touraine)
One of my last visits at this year's Salon was to taste a Petit Meslier, an older grape variety which has virtually disappeared. It is made by a recently installed Touraine vigneron called Lionel Gosseaume in Choussy, which is close to Oisly. According to Wikipedia there are just 20 hectares left with some in Champagne.

Sadly the Touraine aytollahs have no time for old and interesting varieties like Petit Meslier – Sauvignon Blanc or bust is their motto. However, it is good to see that people like Lionel are keen to preserve the area's heritage, albeit in tiny quantities. 

Lionel Gosseaume has 9 hectares of vines and he started in 2007. See him here on YouTube: http://www.vignesendirect.com/Loir-et-Cher/domaine-de-pierre.html  
Tel: 02.54.71.55.02
Email: domeindepierre@orange.fr


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Vincent Siret-Courtaud (Quincy and Châteaumeillant)
Having vines in both Quincy and Châteaumeillant is, as far as I know, a pretty unusual combination. Vincent has 10 hectares in Quincy plus 6 hectares belonging to his father – Jacques Siret. He started four years ago in Quincy and then more recently acquired three hectares in Châteaumeillant. I think 2009 was his first vintage.

Vincent's 2010 Quincy, from vines on sand and gravel, is lemony, clean and precise. His father's 2010 is richer bvut has less finesse. I also tasted Vincent's 2008 Angelus, which comes from one parcel and was vinified in barrel. I wasn't convinced that the wood did it any favours as the vanilla dominated. Still production is only 800 bottles.

Vincent's Châteaumeillant is a blend of 75% Gamay and 25% Pinot Noir. The 2009 has attractive juicy fruit, while the 2010 has some attractive spice.

Le Grand Rosières
18400 Lunery
Tel: 02.48.68.92.18
Email: vincentsiret@hotmail.com       

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