The Caskaway

Domaine Pouderoux, Maury, 2018. Midsummer in Jersey and after the earlier warmer weather I am revisiting one of my earliest Instagram posts. This is definitely a left of field wine selection for hot days and warm evenings but go with me. Maury is a fortified French red wine from the Roussillion, that is served chilled and at the time was a complete revelation to me. Maury has been a real highlight on my wine journey and if you like your sweet wines like me a real joy.

What is Maury?

Maury is made in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. It is a ‘Vin Doux Naturel’ a French style of fortified wine. The grapes are harvest when very ripe with high levels of sugar. The crushed grapes are left to macerate for up to thirty days to maximise the extractions of compounds that give the wine its characteristic aromas and colour and tannin levels. A spirit such as brandy is then added mid fermentation stopping the process. This results in a high level of residual sugar in the finished wine. Louis XIV, Voltaire and President Thomas Jefferson were all fans of sweet Vin Doux Naturel wines. Made mainly from Grenache Noir ( Garnacha ) grapes,  the wines are fermented in oak barrels or concrete vats depending on the winemaker. Some Maury wines are then stored in large glass demi-johns called bonbonnes or les dames jeannes. These can be seen outside the wineries the sunlight oxidising the contents. The wines can then be aged in oak for up to a decade or more.

Domaine Pouderoux, Maury, 2018

Domaine Pouderoux comes from vines situated in the heart of Maury. Robert Pouderoux the present owner of the Domain follows long standing family traditions respecting the soil, biological diversity, and the ecosystem of the region. Domaine Pouderoux is made from 100% low yield Grenache noir from vines over 30 years old and is a deep red colour with aromas of ripe red fruits. Aged for over six years this well-balanced wine tastes of blackberries, stewed plums, prunes, and ripe figs with a hint of spice and liquorice on the finish and I love it. Maury is a traditional aperitif and often partnered with Fois gras, but I love it with blue cheese. If you have a sweet tooth Maury is fabulous with chocolate desserts such as soufflé or rich, dark chocolate mousse.

Grape variety                                 Grenache noir

Country of origin                           France

Region                                             Languedoc-Roussillon

Vintage                                            2018

Alcohol                                            15.5%

Notes

Domaine Pouderoux is organic and adheres to the principles of bio-dynamic wine making.