There is village and then there is village

Of the wines from the southern part of the rhone valley, the Chateauneuf du Pape is probably the appellation that has the largest reputation. And a well deserved one too. Often these wines a large and full-bodied with lots of spice and often quite high in alcohol. Unfortunately these wines are also quite expensive, leaving many to seek for cheaper alternatives. As is seen for the Italian wines Amarone, Barolo and Brunello, a number of producers have discovered that there is a market for cheap Chateauneuf du Pape. These wines are, however, not only cheap to buy but appears cheap in the glass as well, where the only resemblance to the majestic wines of Chateauneuf du Pape is the name.

This evening I enjoyed another alternative. Instead of a cheap wannabe, I opened a bottle of Mas de Boislauzon, Cotes du Rhone Village ”Les Deux Chênes” 2006, which is in the expensive range for this, the lowest, appellation. Often wines labeled Cotes du Rhone Village can be purchased for as little as 4 euros, where this particular wines is around 12 euros. This wine is made in the same way as their Chateauneuf ”Tradition” (which we have tasted earlier), the difference being that some of the grapes are harvested from outside of Chateauneuf du Pape.

A compact wine with lots of black and red berries. Herbe de provence and a nice touch of some medicinal like in the background. The wine is four years old, but seems to have plenty of vigor to develop further over the next 3-5 years from now. The wine was enjoyed over two nights accompanying a dinner with broiled moose with juniper, lingon berry and roasted brussel sprouts, and the second night boeuf bearnaise. 89 p

/Mads