Mary Taylor Wines & Deep Dive into Costières de Nîmes
We Love Mary Taylor Wines, let us show you why…
Let's dive right into the excitement that is Mary Taylor Wines. This isn't your usual wine tale—here, the grape is just part of the story. The Mary Taylor team knows, it's the 'place' that takes centre stage, reflecting the tradition of Europe's esteemed vintners who've held this philosophy for centuries.
It was the European classics that first captivated Mary in the early '90s, teaching her that wine is more than a luxury—it's a living, breathing product of the land, a 'liquid culture.' Her experiences in Burgundy deepened this understanding, inspiring her to bring this 'sense of place', or 'terroir', to the wine-lovers across the ocean. Seeing the need for a brand that could explain the intricate concept of terroir in a straightforward manner, Mary introduced the 'White Label', a testament to her vision. The mission now? To bring the diverse world of European 'appellation' wines, each bottle a representative of its unique geographic origin, crafted by growers from Bordeaux to Nîmes to Valençay, right to your dinner table—at truly accessible prices.
One such collaboration is with the brilliant Pierre Vidal. Imagine bottling the warm, sun-soaked romance of Rhône’s most southern vineyards. That's what you get with the Costières de Nîmes Appellation. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre grapes, it's an sumptuous wine, expressing the wild, rustic essence of its French Mediterranean origins.
These wines echo their birthplace, offering a rich, earthy expression of the soil, perfectly ripe dark berries, a signature of the flinty pebbles that scatter Pierre's vineyards. And let's not forget, these wines are delicious with smokey Barbecue!
Deep Dive into Costières de Nîmes
Costières de Nîmes is a wine appellation located in the southern Rhône Valley of France, though it shares many characteristics with the wines of the neighboring Languedoc region. Recognized as an AOC since 1986, Costières de Nîmes was previously considered part of the larger Côtes du Rhône AOC, but was granted independent status due to its unique terroir and wine style.
Images from: (https://www.vins-rhone.com/vignobles/appellations/costieres-de-nimes)
The history of winemaking in this region goes back to ancient times, with the Romans planting vineyards here over two thousand years ago. The appellation was named after the city of Nîmes, a place known for its rich Roman heritage, including an incredibly well-preserved Roman coliseum (as you can see below).
The terroir of Costières de Nîmes is heavily influenced by its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, which provides a moderating influence on the hot, dry climate typical of the region. The soils are predominantly composed of pebbles and red shale, which are excellent at retaining heat, aiding in the ripening of grapes. The region also benefits from the mistral, a strong, cool wind that blows from the north and helps to keep the vineyards dry and disease-free.
As for grape varieties, the Costières de Nîmes AOC allows for the production of red, white, and rosé wines. Red and rosé wines dominate the production, with the primary grape varieties being Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Cinsault. The red wines are known for their robust character, full-bodied structure, and flavours of dark fruit, while the rosés are typically fresh and fruity. White wines, though less common, are generally made from a blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier, and are characterized by their aromatic and vibrant profile, with notes of citrus and white flowers.
Mary Taylor, Costières de Nîmes60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah
Aromas of an inviting blend of spicy dark berries, blackberries, blueberries, and mature strawberry, brushy "garrigue" herbs and native botanicals. The palate has a weighty fleshliness with flavours of both red and black berries along with that classic white pepper spice. Firm tannins and a firm structure, makes for a wine that unfolds, and develops in the glass, hinting at the flinty pebbles ("grés") found in Pierre's vineyards. This deep-veined minerality adds a final touch to the beautiful complexity of this wine.
Pairing Suggestions: The versatility of this wine makes it a star at backyard BBQs and casual al fresco dining. Its robust character is a match made in heaven with juicy burgers, grilled chicken, or smoky ribs right off the barbecue. But don't stop there, this wine is equally enchanting with a variety of grilled vegetables, bringing out their charred sweetness (Think roasted red peppers). It's the kind of wine that invites second helpings and ignites warm, engaging conversation under the open sky.
Find it here: Mary Taylor, Costières de Nîmes