Welcome to the DiscoverVin website. Always consume alcohol responsibly.

Please confirm that you are 18 years or over to proceed.

 

Here is some information on DiscoverVin wines organised by grape variety and style.

Call us on 0260 206 016 for any assistance on selecting wines.

“The southwest is one of the wine world’s great indigenous grape incubators.”
-Roger Voss, “France’s Hidden Treasures,” Wine Enthusiast

Australian wines are usually sold as straight varietals but the French use regional names or appellations to label their wines.  Each appellation is usually associated with a grape variety.

Appellations

Australians  are familiar with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet franc.  These varieties are  used to make wine from BordeauxBergerac, and Pécharmont amongst other places.

Malbec or Auxerrois is associated with Argentina, but Cahors is its natural home. 

Sauvignon Blanc is synonomous with New Zealand.  In Australia Sauvignon Blanc is often blended with Semillon in Margaret River or the Hunter Valley.  Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blends are made in the appellations of Bergerac and Bordeaux.

Many of the varieties of South West France are less well known to Australians. 

The appellations of Madiran in the Pyrenees make Tannat based wines. Tannat  produces a rich, powerful and tannic wine which softens with time to give beautifully savory and structured wines.

The appellations of Jurançon, and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh  use the Manseng grapes, gros manseng and petit manseng, to produce savoury dry white wines and with late-harvest techniques to produce luscious sweet wines. 

 

To choose wines by style here are some suggestions from our current range....

White Wines

For crisp dry unwooded whites, such as wines to drink as an apperitif or with salads, white meats and seafood try:

Château Jolys Jurançon Sec 2011

Chardonnay drinkers or those who prefer wooded whites should try:

Château Beycheville Grand Bateaux Bordeaux Blanc 2012

For those that like the crispness of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc try:

Château de la Bouyere Bordeaux Blanc 2013

Fuller bodied softer white wines with some wood, such as wines to drink with fish, mushrooms, white meat, cream or cheese based sauces try:

Domaine Bellegarde Jurançon Sec "La Pierre Blanche" 2009

 

Red Wines

Lighter style red wines offer easy drinking and are perfect with a BBQ.   Wines from Gaillac and Fronton are spicy and full of fruit.  They can include some Shiraz, along with varieties indigenous to the area. Try:

Château de Saurs Gaillac La Constance Rouge 2010

Château Bouisell Le Bouisell  2010

 

DiscoverVin have several Merlot or Cabernet/Merlot blends, such as:

Domaine de l'Ancienne Cure Bergerac Rouge 2011

Château Haut Lariveau 2006

Merlot is the dominant variety of Pommerol. The wines are rich, smooth and approachable - so if this is your style try:

Fleur de Clinet 2006

Full bodied earthy reds are a flavoursome match with slow cooked meats, game and cheese. French wines will have less alcohol than big "Aussie reds", but it you prefer an earthy style red such as a Shiraz or Durif these would be of interest:

Domaine du Crampilh Madiran "Cuvée Vielles Vignes" 2009

or the reds from Producteurs Plaimont.

 

Full bodied rich, smooth and elegant reds will also match with slow cooked meats, game and cheese. The Medoc, Haut Medoc and Graves are known for Cabernet Sauvignon blends such as:

Chateau Lanessan 2004

Chateau Tour Seran 2007

Chateau Haut Vigneau 2009

 

Dessert Wines

DiscoverVin's range of sweet wines is superb!

For a light crisp wine to match with tropical fruit or a summer dessert try:

Domaine Bellegarde Cuvée Tradition 2010

Domaine du Crampilh Pacheranc du Vic-Bilh

 

For rich luscious  stickies to match with puddings, cheese or even chocolate

browse the wines of  Domaine de l'Ancienne Cure and Château Jolys

 

To further explore the grape varieties of south-west France, we also suggest this great website from our friends  at Wines of South-West France

 Please call 02 6020 6016  or email  info@discovervin.com.au for guidance on selections!

DiscoverVin-grape varities-chateau with grape vines

Powered by SiteSuite