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+--- Thread: VALDIGUIÉ (/thread-11793.html)
- mrdutton - 10-29-2001
I found this sitting on the shelf at a Norfolk, Virginia store where I frequently buy wine:
1999 J. Lohr, Wildflowers, Monterey Valdiguie. Back label just says produced at Paso Robles and bottled at San Jose by J. Lohr Winery. Alcohol content is 12%. It was 69 cents more than $10.00...... without case discount.
I got the following information from Strat's Place:
VALDIGUIÉ:
Warm region minor grape widely grown in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France and known also under the alias name of Gros Auxerrois. Used to create backbone in the high alcohol "vin de table" red wine blends that originate from the Midi. In California it has the alias name of Napa Gamay and can produce surprisingly good wine.
Further research indicated that Napa Gamay may also have roots back to the Gamay from the Beaujolais Region of France, which is a different grape.
Anyway, have any of you ever tried Valdiguie? From the color of the wine in the bottle, the alcohol content, the description of the grape and the use of the word WILDFLOWERS on the label, I get the impression that this might drink similarly to a Beaujolais.
Am I on track or way off base? Of course I'll really find out when I crack the sucker and drink it. But just thought I'd do a little research and ask around first.
Thanks for any replies!
[This message has been edited by mrdutton (edited 10-29-2001).]
- Drew - 10-29-2001
Mike you are right on track. Very similar to Beaujolais without the French "Terroir".
Drew
- mrdutton - 10-30-2001
This ruby red beauty has enough clarity to allow me to read 12 point text through the wine in the glass. (Remember now I'm over 50 and wear bifocals........)
Reminds me of a Cru Beaujolais. There is some earth component to it; really Drew there is. But I just can't really tell you what it is.
When I sniff at a half-glass I get fruit and flowers. When I sniff at a near empty glass I get something between fresh cut grass and bales of hay in the loft. But then maybe I've just had too many glasses.
None-the-less, if you like really good Cru Beaujolais then this Californian Valdiguie from J. Lohr is as close as I think you'll ever get to the real stuff from France.
Barnsey - try this, I think you'll like it!
I just noticed something - oh yeah the light bulb came on - the Forum for Beaujolias and Gamay also includes the Valdiguie. Well maybe I should have posted there. But I could find no evidence that suggests that the wine is grown other than primarily in Languedoc.
But I know for sure that if I run across this again, I'll buy more!
[This message has been edited by mrdutton (edited 10-30-2001).]