Two Frenchies--the Loire and the Rhone

[wondersofwine]

2006 Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet et Sevre et Maine sur lie
At Vin Rouge Restaurant in Durham, NC this was priced at $6.50 for a glass or $25 for a bottle. It was almost clear; the lighting was not good for discerning the color. Grapefruit/lemon nose. Palate shock with first chilled, acidic blast. Soon turned to enjoyable sensations. Very nice with the mussels in broth (I believe there was some lemon juice in the broth and that matched nicely with the wine.)

I followed the mussels appetizer with seabass sauteed with (vierge?) sauce, diced tomatoes, capers, etc. with lemon slices cooked inside the whole bass. I foolishly thought with the tomato topping, a mild red wine might pair with the fish, but the small bits of tomato didn't really have that much effect on the dish, and the wine choice I made was a mistake. I had a glass of 2006 SAINT-DAMIEN COTES-DU-RHONE VIELLES VIGNES. Opaque, dark purple color. Enters the palate with black fruits, finishes with drying tannins. Mostly Syrah I believe.

I completed the meal with a plate of small portions of four cheeses with walnuts and grapes.

[Bucko]

Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet et Sevre et Maine sur lie

This is a very fine house. Florida Jim turned me on to them years ago. The wines really shine with shellfish.

[wondersofwine]

Absolutely. And not very expensive either.