Stadium Sip: Chamarré Tradition Jurançon 2003

Hello Friends,

Tell me something Redskin’s fans: How does your team go on the road and kick the cork out of the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, and then fall short to a winless St. Louis Rams team - mind-boggling to say the least, huh? One thing not mind-boggling, or palate-boggling for that matter, was the half bottle (375 ml) of sweet nectar enjoyed in this week’s Stadium Sip.

Chamarré Tradition Jurançon 2003

The Chamarré 2003 is a blend of Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng, both of which are from the Manseng grape family. The latter is the more popular, and one you can find in some Virginia tasting rooms. This grape variety does very well here, and each year I’m seeing more Virginia wineries produce a varietal Petit Manseng wine, opposed to using it in blends.

Petit Manseng is widely planted in south west France, namely in the small village of Jurançon, where this delicious evening sipper comes from. This wine is rich and complex with tropical fruit flavors and a wonderful apricot and honey character. A touch of caramel and good acidity to balance the sweetness makes this wine a nice bargain at $13.99. I found this bottle at the Leesburg Vintner in Loudoun County, and wish I would have gotten more. Now, to be honest, I have had better examples from Jurançon, but for $13.99 this is an excellent QPR (Quality-to Price-Ratio) wine. Try this wine as an after- dinner dessert or with spicy ethnic foods, like Indian or Thai, given that it is balanced and not sugary sweet. For a Virginia twist, try the off-dry example offered by White Hall Vineyards and the late harvest dessert wine offered by Chrysalis Vineyards. In closing, perhaps the Redskins will have as sweet an ending against the Cleveland Browns this Sunday.

Stay tuned friends ... More to come !!!

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Dezel

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