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+--- Thread: 1999 Francois Cotat Sancerre Rose' (/thread-13838.html)
- wondersofwine - 11-14-2001
The label is confusing (and illegal in France because it has the name of the town, Chavignol, in larger print than the Sancerre appellation). It says rose' nowhere on the bottle and is sometimes sold as Sancerre rouge, but it is definitely a rose'. I first tried it at a tasting at a restaurant and was reminded of strawberries. After purchasing three bottles and having it at home with foods, I compare it more to raspberries and lingonberries (red fruits anyway).
The color is hard to describe other than blush (not pink or coral or orange). Maybe sunset or eye of the partridge (I believe that is one way to describe blush wines). I could tell it was from the pinot noir grape though it's nothing like a hearty red burgundy. It drinks with the lightness and fruitiness of the gamay grape. The distributor, David Schildknecht, says he sometimes fools experts by serving this rose in a black glass at a tasting. Some will identify it as a Sancerre/Loire wine but will misidentify the grape--thinking it to be from the Sauvignon Blanc.
The first night I had it at home with a frozen dinner of chicken piccata and rice with vegetables (after working and then voting in a municipal election). The next day I had a large noon meal and went with a salad and swiss cheese for dinner. This food -friendly wine seemed to go with all these choices. Cotat is one of the respected producers in Sancerre and this wine usually is priced at $29.99 at my usual wine shop but was on sale recently at $17.99 making it a best buy.
- Thomas - 11-14-2001
Wow, that is a lot of money for a Sancerre Rose. I have sold one at the shop for $15.00 that I think is a great buy.
The color: I would describe it as pale salmon.
- Innkeeper - 11-14-2001
Wonders, whether it's a rouge or rose' is almost immaterial. They are both from pinot. Dan Berger two weeks ago in his newsletter said that pinot grown in warmer climates will draw out with a very pale red color, while the wine will taste exactly as you described.
He says that in days of yore, California producers would add up to 25% petite sirah to darken it for the marketers. If the folks from Loire are resisting this pressure, God bless them.
[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 11-14-2001).]
- wondersofwine - 11-15-2001
Foodie,
Agreed that Cotat wines are rather pricey at usual listing. When I first wanted to try a white Sancerre, the shop had only one, from Cotat, at about $27 so I passed. Since then they have carried at least two other Sancerre whites from other producers which sold at $15 or $17 a bottle. I liked both of them.
However, the Cotat Sancerre Rose' is enticing enough that I bought one bottle at full price and two bottles on sale. What producer do you carry for your Sancerre rose'? Also, pale salmon does come pretty close to describing the color.
- Thomas - 11-15-2001
We've been selling Sautereau Sancerre:
$15 each for the Rose and the Rouge; $16 for the S Blanc. Right now, we have only the rouge as rose sales have slumped, and I find the Quincy we have ($12) is a better buy than the Sancerre white.
- Bucko - 11-15-2001
Foodie, you got a web site?
- Innkeeper - 11-15-2001
http://www.is-wine.com/index.html
- Bucko - 11-15-2001
Thanks, IK...... how was the fall foliage season this year?
- Thomas - 11-15-2001
Bucko, brace yourself for the picture...