Weekly Winedown #10 Pardon My French – Minervois.

Welcome to the Weekly Winedown. Each week I selflessly drink wine for you offer a review.
Please don’t expect anything professional, I consume a lot of wine but I’m no pro.

The only real ‘rule’ I’m putting in place is that the wine is to be under £8 a bottle. #keepitclassy.

Let me start with an apology, I’m sorry for not partaking in a Winedown yesterday.
I know, I know. I let you all down but worst of all I let myself down.
Or is it the other way round?
Or do you even care?

I went to watch the rugby and drink beer instead.
Karma ensured I will never abandon a Friday again.
Rugby requires four basic skills (in no particular order)
1) Catch ball
2) Hold ball
3) Throw ball
4) Run like Billio.

Simple you’d think.
We lost.
HORRIBLY.
Let’s speak no more of it.

My palate is not a stranger to today’s wine. A few weeks ago my Auntie Anna (yes, we’re a family of very few names) sent me a bottle. She knew I’d appreciate the label, and the contents. Alas she sent the wine on a Monday. There wasn’t a hope in hell it would still be around by the Monday night  Friday so I bought a replacement for purpose of review. 

Please give a warm welcome to Pardon My French, £4.49 a bottle from Aldi.

I’m going to start with the label – the reason this wine was chosen for me in the first place.
IT’S PERFECT.
It’s very ‘En Vogue’ (not the 90s RnB girl group).
It’s the outfit I’d like to wear and the life I’d like to live.
Like a still from the 50s, the Hollywood one.
It’s a label that would encourage me to buy a case of the stuff. Yes, I’m that easily swayed.
It’s just so… Bang on trend as the kids would say. The kids still say that right?

The blurb

“‘Pardon my French’ is a ‘tongue in cheek’ approach, designed to trigger memories and emotions which we’ve captured in every glass.
‘Min Air-Waa get down with the Minervois’. A key Appellation in the Languedoc region of Southern France, with vineyards pushing up into the airy foothills of the dominating Montagne Noire, making attractive, lively and characterful reds mainly from Syrah and Grenache grapes. ‘Min Air-Waa get down with the Minervois’!”

That’s a lovely little write up but I need more information than that.
I turned to the internet to get a more precise description…

“A deep ruby red with intense black fruits, tapenade and liquorice aromas elegantly mixed with soft spices. Well-balanced and structured with silky tannins and a lingering finish.”

Now that’s the kind of descriptive description I like. Even if it sounds a little dubious.

I’m now looking forward to a glass of berries, memories and emotion (could go horribly wrong) with a smell of olives, liquorice and spices.

Well. The aroma is one of moss, which is lovely in general but maybe not in a glass. I am not getting any olives or liquorice. Which is probably a good thing as I don’t REALLY like olives. They’re just confusing grapes.
The taste is bitter and rich, like blackberries and spice. Not an elegant taste but a completely drinkable one.
It’s warm like autumn and I think would suit being chilled as well (controversial I know).
It’s a good party wine. Not to take to the party of your rich fancy friend, if you have those kinds of friends. But you’re normal, totally cool friends will love it if only for the label.
I’m still waiting for the memories and emotions. I’m guessing I need to be a few glasses in for them to kick in with effect. I’m hoping for memories of indie discos circa 2008, skinny jeans, elaborate hair and dancing to The Libertines (or The Bravery).