Millésime Bio 2012: dinner@plaisirs des mets

Plaisirs des mets

Bar of the restaurant

Montpellier

Millésime Bio, the annual organic wine starts on Monday (23rd) and runs through to Wednesday but the press trip associated with the fair started last night in the Plaisirs des mets, a small restaurant in the old part of Montpellier. The press group is mainly from Germany, Denmark, Scandinavia and Iceland with a couple of late additions – Howard Hewitt from the US and myself. Apparently we managed to squeeze on as there weren't enough Scandinavians who wanted to leave the chilly north for a few days of respite sun in Montpellier.

At dinner we were joined by producers: Marie Teisserenc (Famille Fabre), Jean Paul Cabanis (Costières-de-Nîmes) and Virgile Joly.

Jean Paul Cabanis

Domaine Cabanis: Pays du Gard 2010 Clairette

We started with a simple, refreshing vin de pays 2010 Clairette from Jean Paul Cabanis, which was just right to kick off the evening. Then two further whites in ascending order of richness: the well balanced 2009 Saturne (100% Grenache Blanc) from Domaine Virgile Joly and the rich and full but not cloying 2009 Viognier from Famille Fabre. This Viognier came from vines selected in Condrieu. This was a rare treat as production is very small – just three barriques.

2009 Saturne, Coteaux du Languedoc, Domaine Virgile Joly

2009 Viognier, famille fabre

A succession of attractive south reds followed. These were based mainly around Carignan, Grenache and Syrah, although Jean Paul Cabanis' Costières de Nîmes had a majority of Mourvèdre which ripens well in these vineyards which are close to the sea. Unfortunately the later reds were served with and after the chocolate dessert which made tasting a challenge! Despite this the still quite youthful 2002 Rouge from Domaine Virgile Joly showed very well and should clearly last for another few years.

A rather grainy photo of Virgile Joly – should have taken the other Canon!

2002 Rouge, Domaine Virgile

Swirling glass: not what was intended but I like the effect – vive la modération!