Gamaret Meylan 2012
Veering away from Valais towards Ollon this time. Ollon is situated at the foot of the mountains on the southeast end of Lake Leman near Aigle. Gamaret, à la mode for quite a few years now, is a red wine grape variety created at the Station Fédérale de Recherches en Production Végétale de Changins in the 70s. It is a crossing of Gamay and Reichensteiner (a white grape variety). This same crossing also produces Garanoir and Mara.
Nose – a fruity explosion of wild, very ripe forest boysenberries and blackberries, with a touch of leather and spice creating all things nice.
Palate – subtle perfumed oak, with a hint of coffee and lush silky tannins. Give it approximately 20 minutes and it all becomes richer and more expressive. Very more-ish.
Mood match – to be consumed in a happy-go-lucky mood, settled in a warm Parisian bistro with a lively atmosphere. Fresh white linen tablecloths are a must and will show off the colour of the wine. I discovered this wine a few years ago at a bistro in Vevey called the Cafe Restuarant du 10 aout that was just like that. It’s now just a Starbucks café. A dinner party with settings that recreate the above atmosphere would do the trick.
Food match – pavé de boeuf or boeuf bourguignon. A good hearty wine with good hearty food.
Tip – but don’t spill! – a glass or two of red wine a day keeps the doctor away. Wine cuts through the fat in food and has antioxidants (polyphenols) in it. Look at the French – fatty diet but less heart attacks due to their daily red wine intake. Wine even used to be used as medication and as an anaesthetic for wounds and a pain control during childbirth.
Available online at: www.pameylan.ch and at Globus in Lausanne and Geneva.
Nina Bobillier is a wine reviewer and guide. nina@lenews.ch
John Mitchell says
I think these wine reviews by Nina Bobillier are excellent. They get away from the pretentiousness you often find in wine reviews and give a very clear idea of what to expect from a wine. There is gentle education about the wine itself and about wine generally. The suggestions on how to use the wine and what if anything to eat alongside it are useful, and the ideas about the kind of social situation that is appropriate are themselves stimulating as well as entertaining. Very good value reviews and long may they continue!