Yet Another Bandol Rosé
Provence no, Bandol yes? Maybe...Moncigale Bandol Rosé
If you have been following my wine reviews religiously (as perhaps thousands have), you may be under the impression that I enjoyed yet another vacation. But that’s not the case. A change in medication made me drop all alcohol for a few weeks to avoid potential side effects. Now I am happy to say that the bottles are back. I am doing rosé this week. Today’s wine is a yet another Bandol Rosé. Bandol is arguably the best appellation in that great region of Provence. Some say that the local competition isn’t all that great. Provence rosés tend to be less memorable than Provence itself. Moncigale now belongs to Marie Brizard, a major producer of liqueurs. A few weeks ago we saw what a producer’s cooperative could do with local grapes, especially Mourvedre. Now we’ll see what a high-powered multinational can do with these same grapes. The companion wine is a Primitivo rosé (said to be Zinfandel’s European cousin) from southern Italy, costing about half as much.
OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed
Moncigale Mineral Rosé Bandol AOC 2010 13% alcohol about $19
Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Description: This salmon-pink wine has aromas of rhubarb, strawberry and mineral delightfully supported by a touch of lime zest. The palate is fresh with very good aroma replays. A good length to the fruity finish, with a nice mineral note sealing the deal. A delightful wine that is the ideal starter for your evening, particularly if dining outside. It's also a good partner for pan-fried freshwater fish..“ And now for my review.
At the first sips this wine was almost feathery and yet metallic. It was refreshingly acidic. I started with Japanese rice crackers that intensified the libation. And a Wasabi pea made it oily. The initial meal was an omelet perked up with majoram, garlic powder, dried basil leaves, black pepper, and a Middle Eastern spice mix. Now the rosé gave me raspberries with limes. With hummus the drink was sweet but its fruit was gone. The other side dish was a Matabucha salad containing tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, sweet red and green pepper. In response the Bandol was round, long, and fruity.
The following meal centered on sautéed chicken breast cubes coated in a mixture of cumin, garlic powder, and black pepper. Now the wine was light, offering refreshing acidity. It managed to be metallic and yet almost feathery. A side dish of bulgar weakened the liquid somewhat. The other side was a Turkish salad consisting of tomato, tomato paste, onion, sweet red pepper, garlic, sugar, and other spices. The salad weakened our friend from Provence, who kept its roundness. When paired with fresh raspberries the libation was refreshing but remained weak.
My final meal was a boxed eggplant parmiagana that I doused with grated Parmesan cheese. This wine was long and elegant. Its acidity tingled and I tasted berries. Dessert, bittersweet Swiss chocolate, rendered this wine light.
For years I have been reviewing the wines with two cheeses. No longer, at least not on a regular basis. I am not a big fan of wine and cheese and don’t feel that I’ll miss it.
Final verdict. This wine was pretty good. I wasn’t able to find it any cheaper on the web. I don’t really feel that this was a $20 wine.
Access the companion wine A Wine Lover's Weekly Review Of $10 Wines - An Italian Primitivo RoséAbout the Author
Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would
rather just drink fine French or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario
French-language community college. His wine websites include
www.theworldwidewine.com
and http://www.theitalianwineconnection.com
Visit his website devoted to Italian travel
www.travelitalytravel.com
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