Irouléguy

Vines in Irouleguy facing the Pyrénées Mountains

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Dear wine lovers,

Just by the Spanish border, not far away form Bayonne and on the steep slopes facing the majestic Pyrénées Mountains are the vines of Irouléguy.

This small appellation is the only French "Basque" (there are Spanish Basque vineyards)and reveals a lot the strong personality of this area which has always claimed its own identity.

The 3 colors are produced here with a majority of red wines made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Tannat. The whites are made with more "exotic" grapes like Courbu, Gros and Petit Menseng that produce a deep and complex wine that you will enjoy with the local "Charcuteries" like the famous "Jambon de Bayonne". Note that the rosés, with their deep colors, are very interesting especially since I think the reds are sometimes a bit rustic when they are young.

Besides the Cave Coop which produces most of the volumes and which makes a good job here, there are not a lot of producers and they are all working well. Domaine Brana is the most famous; I also enjoy the rosés from Abotia and my preferred is Domaine Ilarria imported in the US by Charles Neal whose selections are always great. Since this area is just beautiful with all the elements gathered (Ocean, Mountains, Valleys), with great food and with such a strong identity, I would highly recommend a visit.

Cheers,
Jean-Marc Espinasse

Any comments, edits are very welcome at contact@french-wine-a-day.com

PODCASTS :
Listen to this whole edition in French (allow some delay depending on your speed internet connection)
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Talking about Basque food, this book will teach you all you need to know :

See Irouléguy on a French wine map

*Listen to Irouléguy

Update on our vineyard project....
Because of a few rain drops, we have not been able to prepare one of the two parcels for its plantation and have decided to postpone this to the end of 2007. For this, we will plant some vegetation in order to regenerate the ground and let it graze this fall with sheep which will then produce some great natural dung.
Under and after the rain, we have continued pruning with the help of Laurent (video - 1 MO), a friend who tried the traditional pruning way with shears, and the more efficient one of Jérome (video - 2 MO) who speeds much more…