Learn about wine:

This is the page all about wine, with the emphasis being on informing and teaching about wine and the pleasure of drinking wine, information it is hoped the wine lovers amongst you will find helpful and informative.

At regular intervals there will be pages added to this "All About Wine" section of the site. Articles of interest both to expert wine connoisseur and novice enthusiast alike.

A Tour of Europe's Wine Regions
Wine expert Joe Wadsack talks Pinot Noir Epiphanies and how to pair hors d'oeuvres with your favourite tipple . . . read more

Italian Wine
It is often said, both by experts and amateurs alike, "There is an awful lot of rubbish written about wine". This is another contribution . . . read more

In the new Minervois . . . discovering some old history and a revolution or two
Imagine, you have decided to take a well deserved break and try to discover more about the Minervois wine region in the Languedoc, south of France. After a bumpy landing at Carcassonne airport, you drive your hire car in the direction of Narbonne; you have decided on the slower green route, the D5, where you will pass one after another tumbledown cave co-operative and sleepy village . . . read more

Spring in the vineyards of Languedoc - Spring has eventually arrived in the Languedoc The vines stand naked in serried ranks lovingly pruned and waiting for the warmth of the sun to arrive. The almond trees line the roads, their pink blossom heralding . . . read more

Do or Die, the turning point for the Co-operatives - Deep in the Languedoc region of southern France, an area of wine production surpassing any other in the country, there is a struggle for survival for the old village 'Cave Co-operatives' trying to exist in the 21st century with the onslaught of international competition in an over abundant marketplace . . . read more

The Wine Co-operatives of France ~ Chateau de Ventenac Minervois - Ventenac is a lovely little village located in the Minervois wine-growing region of the Languedoc, set on the banks of the picturesque Canal du Midi with the northerly protection of the Montagne Noire behind. The village is only small, yet is extremely welcoming and well worth a visit not only for its wine cave but also for the ambiance of its setting. Here you can sit on the banks of the canal and watch the world go by, or eat in one of its busy, yet non-expensive restaurants, overlooking the Cana . . . read more

WINE OF THE MONTH

Domaine du Fontsainte: Demoiselle
Appellation Corbiéres
Carignan (70%) Grenache (20%) Syrah (10%)

This smooth red wine is full of rich berry fruits, yet it has a dry peppery back note from the carignan grape. Hand picked from old vines, it comes from the rocky slopes of the Corbiéres, which are covered with wild herbs. Although it has a strong velvet feel it is versatile enough to be matched with lighter flavours like chicken, veal & goats cheese.

Demoiselle retails at £6.45

Chateau Hauterive: Appellation Corbiéres
Grenache blanc (60%) Maccabou (20%) Marsanne (20%)

This cool and subtle white is refined with a gentle dryness and no heavy sweet tones as in a New World chardonney. Chilled, it is delicious just by itself or a perfect match to delicate fish or poultry.

Hauterive blanc retails at £6.75

If you would like to buy any of the above wines then contact us by emailing info@hub-uk.com

MATCH YOUR WINE WITH YOUR FOOD
Match a recipe to the wines of the month

Flaugnarde

Drink the white wine of the month, Hauterive Blanc, with the Faugnarde. The dryness of the wine will match the tartness of the lemon.

. . . get cooking

TRAVEL AND WINE ~ TRAVEL DESTINATION OF THE MONTH

Stay in a magnificent Napoleon III Chateau in the Minervois wine region of Southern France. Until 1990, Le Domaine du Puits es Pratx, was once the heart of an active wine Domaine that is now surrounded by six acres of peaceful gardens and small vineyard.

Guests will visit selected family producers by appointment, producers one would never find as a casual visitor, deep in the countryside. The owners will stop to spend time with the guests and give them a thorough understanding of their wines, including the cépages (grape varieties) and with some a tour of the Ché (wine production area). They are proud to give you a dégustation (wine tasting) and guests have the opportunity to buy wines at the end of their tour from the Chateau at vineyard prices.

This section is written and contributed by GoHolidayFrance organisers of Cooking Holidays and Wine Tours in the Languedoc region of France

For details of the Cooking Holidays <click here> or the Wine Tours <click here>