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01/16/2002 Archived Entry: "Wine Buy: Domaine Chaume Arnaud"

Straight from the desk of Carol Berman, our trusty Food Talk sommelier, this week’s wine buy:

Like any art form, wine should be most pleasing to all the senses.

This is true, right from start with Domaine Chaume Arnaud, 2000, Vin de Pays Portes de Mediterranée, a lively French Rhone red. When I first experienced it, I was most drawn to it by its' vibrant red-violet color, which was made even more magical when held up to the sun. The aromas on the nose are of fresh strawberries and raspberries, which is exactly what the grenache grape will give, and even perhaps a bit more power, with the addition of cinsault. Perky on the palate, the fruit is danced around by lively acidity, and held together by soft, balanced tannins.

This wine has more guts than Beaujolais (the gamay grape), but reminds me of the easy way Beaujolais drinks. Great with triple-cream cheeses, or roasted chicken with herbs de provence. A real value at $7.99 average retail pricing. Imported by Jeroboam Wines, N.Y., N.Y.

-Carol A. Berman