A famous, Portuguese grape variety that originally grows in the areas of the Duoro and Porto, and of which there is only onesingle vineyard in France. A true rarity. The vineyard is located in the Minervois and was planted on some 2,4 acres of rocky and dry soils near Carcassonne by Pierre Cros in 2001. From the beginning on, the Touriga has felt very well under the warm sun of the “Midi”. The grapes were put on the ground in the first years to strengthen the young vines and to make life easier for them in the barren terroir. The dark grapes giving an intensely coloured and flavoured juice were harvested for the first time after six years.

From the starting point, the wine revealed the strong character of the grape variety and continues to do so, as shown by the 2015 vintage I recently tasted. Juicy red and black fruits, elderberry, cherries, as well as a of smell natural wood, liquorice and smoke. On the palate, the wine is surprisingly soft and round, of creamy structure but with a peppery taste, fresh acidity and spicy chocolate flavours.

A wine that makes me marvel, every vintage again. Apart from its originality, it also is an excellent table companion, as well as serious candidate for eight to ten years of cellar aging. By the way, the 2014 vintage was exclusively filled into Magnum bottles, while an elegant “Alsace-style” bottle was chosen for the 2015 vintage.

FOOD PAIRINGS FOR HERBIVORES: Roasted vegetables for sure, whole-grain penne with cinnamon-flavoured, deglazed carrots, parsnips and shallots, but also an ash-ripened goat’s cheese.

FOOD PAIRINGS FOR CARNIVORES AND PESCETARIANS: Veal wrapped in Parma ham with sage, smoked quail with broad beans and roast potatoes, salmon fillet with sweet peppers.one