Mick O'Connell reviews Saint Romain 2016, Burgundy, Róisín Curley and Rivesaltes 1969, Dom Brial
Saint Romain 2016, Burgundy, Róisín Curley
A fantastic crisp and elegant white wine from the Chardonnay grape. Made by Mayo native Róisín Curley who splits her time between Mayo and Beaune.
Maison Roisin Curley
The soils of the Côte de Beaune are covered with limestone scree coming from the top of the hill, red silts deposited in the glacial era, and rocks resulting from the alteration of the underlying geological strata. Brown limestone and stony soils characterise the southern part of the Côte d'Or. At the top of slope, the soils are lean, very limestone, they enrich themselves in clay going down. There are three different hillsides: those of the Corton mountain, those of the Côte des Blancs and those of Chassagne, Santenay and Maranges.
Saint-Romain from Roisin Curley shows aromas of dairy products followed by citrus and minerality. Fresh, clean and precise attack with refined notes of cream, almonds and citrus. Very long and savoury finish. It's Buttery, Citrus, Mineral and paired well with mushrooms, poultry and spices
Rivesaltes 1969, Dom Brial
Sweet and rich with raisin, fresh fig, damson and marmalade. 50 years old this year.
Dom Brial was created in Baixas in 1923 as a response to the major viticultural crisis that France was going through. A handful of winegrowers joined together around a common conviction: “Together, we stand strong”. It was in this spirit of solidarity and excellence that the winery was created. The name Dom Brial was selected in 1985 as a mark of recognition of their best wines.
DOM BRIAL, a Dominican priest born in Roussillon, bequeathed a perpetual annuity to the communes of Baixas and Pia so that they could each maintain a school for the poorest children in the area.
The Baixas winegrowers, the cream of the crop in Catalan viticulture, knew how to prosper and make their vineyard and production tool highly successful. They were also able to garner interest and train with their 3 neighbouring cousins, who shared their vision and business strategy.
Today they represent 247 winegrowers who are passionately committed to cultivating 2,100 hectares of vineyard.
