Jacques et Francois Lurton Fitou Domaine Ardoises 1997
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Winemaker Notes
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
Established in 1948, Fitou is the oldest AOC in the Languedoc; appropriately enough, Greek colonists planted the first vines in France here in the fifth century BCE. Celebrated by Rabelais and served at Louis XIV’s table, Fitou wines have long been prized for their meaty, full-bodied character, their friendliness with food and their aging capacity. As with all quality Languedoc wines, they give great value for money.
This red-wine region is divided into two parts: one on the warmer plains near the sea, the other in the limestone, clay and schist hillsides of the Corbières massif. Heat-loving Carignan provides a briary backbone to Fitou wines, while Grenache adds berry fruit and softens its tannins. Together these grapes must make up 60% of any blend, which are filled out with plummy Mourvèdre along the seaside and brighter Syrah in the hills. In both seacoast and hillside vineyards, the garrigue blends savory herbal character into the wines, which can ripen over the course of years into complex, truly spectacular bottles.