02 Jul 2024
This week’s cheese and wine recommendation from The Larder (Fleetville Larder) is far from a conventional pairing but it’s one I urge you to try! Ed had me tasting wild garlic wrapped yarg with a Vermentino Pays d’Oc IGP, called ‘Marius’.
Marius the name of M. Chapoutier’s grandfather and is the one who placed the name Chapoutier at the top of the Rhone Valley at the beginning of the 20th century.
As Marius always said: “A good wine is one that beckons us to take another sip” and thesewines carry this message as they reflect the warmth of the southern France terroirs in which they are rooted.
Marius is a blend of Terret and Vermentino from Languedoc-Roussillon, Southern France (£12.50 from Fleetville Larder).
Terret was chosen for its liveliness and the Vermentino for its refined, floral and fruity aromas and both grapes’ varieties benefit from the perfect amount of sunshine their vineyards receive.
The wines are made separately, cooled and left without sulphur to rest on fine lees to reinforce the minerality dear to the House of M. Chapoutier. During the conception of this vintage, they wanted to achieve an impression of freshness and an elegant length.
On the nose you get wonderful citrus aromas and notes of ripe grapefruits and as you taste it you are hit with its ripe citrus fruitiness, enhanced by a nice acidity, giving the wine good length.
Marius advises you to serve this wine between 10 and 12°C during an aperitif or a meal among friends. But following Ed’s advice, I’m enjoying this with a wedge of Garlic Yarg.
Made to the same recipe as the original but wrapped in handpicked wild garlic leaves foraged in the spring.
Over time, the aromatic leaves influence the young curds, allowing the delicious garlic flavours to permeate the cheese.
The Vermentino provides a balanced and complementary pairing, its crisp acidity cuts through the creaminess of the cheese, its medium body won’t overwhelm the semi-hard texture and it provides a refreshing balance.
This is just one of many cheese and wine pairings from the Larder, so if you find yourself in the Fleetville area of St Albans and in need of some inspiration, be sure to pop in and discuss all your needs with Ed and his team of cheese experts.
