26 Jul 2023
Welcome to this week’s Wine Times, where I explore the delightful combination of cheese and wine from Ed and the team at Fleetville Larder. I’ll be discussing a wonderful French red wine that pairs beautifully with the classic French cheese, St Nectaire.
The wine is Mont Rocher, Carignan, Vieilles Vignes, IGP Pays d’Hérault, France, 2021 (£10.50 from Fleetville Larder), a red wine made from the Carignan grape, which is often blended with other red varieties. Known for its high acidity and tannins, Carignan complements fuller, fruitier wines like Grenache and Syrah. It thrives in warm climates such as Languedoc-Roussillon in France and Spain, contributing to blends with deep colour and character.
This Carignan is part of a contemporary collection of indigenous Languedoc varietals. The wine is crafted with care, reflecting the typicity of the grape and the unique terroir of the region.
The old, bush-trained vines are dry grown, conserving water and enhancing grape quality while respecting traditional viticulture methods.
Mont Rocher Carignan Vieilles Vignes is made from 50-year-old vines that grow in sun-drenched vineyards of the Pyrénées foothills. These low-yielding vines thrive in rugged limestone-rich soils, resulting in wines that exhibit purity of fruit.
The winery collaborates with exceptional growers who have a deep respect for the land and craft wines that express the spirit of the extraordinary region.
The winemaking process combines tradition and modern techniques. While the wine is made with an old traditional grape variety, it is aged in tanks, with a touch of French oak staves added to enhance complexity and roundness.
Each glass has your mouthwatering with its juicy character, vibrant red berry fruits and subtle vanilla notes. The palate is soft, full flavoured with a smooth easy drinking finish.
This wine pairs exceptionally well with casseroles and roast beef. Its versatility makes it a popular choice and a great value for wine enthusiasts. qualities.
But let’s turn our attention to the cheese that perfectly complements this wine, St Nectaire. Hailing from the Auvergne region of France, St Nectaire is a semi-soft, washed-rind cheese made from the milk of Salers cows. These cows graze on the rich volcanic pastures, resulting in the exceptional quality and flavour of the milk.
St Nectaire is a cheese with a unique character. It is aged for six to eight weeks on rye straw mats, imparting a distinct pungent smell. The cheese has a greyish-purple washed rind adorned with white, yellow, and red moulds when properly aged. Its creamy and supple texture melts in the mouth, revealing flavours of nuts and mushroom.
The fruity aroma and sweet flavour of the cheese complement the juicy and vibrant characteristics of Mont Rocher Carignan.
When enjoying St. Nectaire, you can be confident in its authenticity as it holds the prestigious AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) designation. This label ensures that the cheese originates from a specific region and adheres to strict production standards. St Nectaire is both a fermier (farmhouse) and industrial cheese, with variations in texture depending on the artisanal or industrial processes used.
In summary, Mont Rocher Carignan Vieilles Vignes and St Nectaire form a delightful wine and cheese pairing. The wine’s cherry aromas and vibrant fruit character work well with the earthy and nutty flavours of the cheese. Together, they offer a taste of southern France’s rich and diverse culinary heritage.
Whilst a visit to Fleetville is always a delightful experience, you may wish to take advantage of their free local delivery in St Albans and the surrounding areas, for all orders over £20. Please see the home delivery section for their current stock list, Visit Fleetville Larder Delivery Service or give them a call and speak to a member of their team.
Au revoir!
