Wines made from Counoise grapes of Vin de France
Discover the best wines made with Counoise as a single variety or as a blend of Vin de France.
Counoise is a black grape variety of Spanish origin. It is widely cultivated in the southern part of France. It is very similar to the aubun, with which it is often confused, and has a white cottony bud. Unlike the aubun, the leaves of this variety do not have teeth in the petiolar sinus. They are thick and large. Its bunches are medium-sized but its berries are large. It is advisable to prune it short so that it is productive. It matures in the second half of the year, but production depends on the vintage. This grape variety appreciates hillside terroirs, which are stony and warm. It fears grey rot without being sensitive to oidium and mildew. Counoise has two approved clones, 508 and 725. The wine obtained from Counoise is not very colourful. It is fine and fruity. Its aromas are diversified with notes of fruit, flowers and spices.
Vin de France is the most basic level of quality for wines from France. These are generally uncomplicated everyday drinks - most often blends, but perhaps also Varietal wines based on a well-known Grape variety such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Wines from France are those that do not meet the criteria stipulated by the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) laws (see information on French wine labels). This may be because the vineyards are outside the delimited production areas or because the grape varieties or winemaking techniques used do not conform to the rules of the local appellations.
Julien and Nadia d’Abrigeon stood before me like new parents: proud, exhausted, thrilled. Tasting with them in their rented cellar space, I shared their excitement for their new arrivals. It’s not often you get to taste the first vintage of a new domaine, especially not one so promising. We’d just returned from visiting their vineyards in the village of Buisson. Not so long ago, this was an undesirable location. Cairanne and Rasteau inhabit the sun-warmed southern face of the Ventabren massif, w ...
In the UK wine calendar, wine merchants concentrate on selling certain regions at the same time every year. For Burgundy, it’s January; Bordeaux starts in April. Others, like the Rhône, aren’t quite so specific, but merchants do seem to agree that autumn is the right time to turn their attention to this part of France. Following a number of Rhône-focused tastings, and with my full report on the 2021s coming out soon, I have tasted and rated wines that are available to buy in the UK now and my re ...
Onwards, upwards. The roads get narrower, the corners get tighter. I step out of the car when I finally reach the winery and the air is so much fresher here. I go to take a sip from my water bottle and a gust of wind makes it whistle. I stand with Thomas Jullien and we look over the vineyards. It’s not yet spring, and the vines look little more than sticks. ‘It’s a lunar landscape at the moment,’ he says, as a friend’s flock of 300 sheep has just passed through to graze on every scrap of green b ...