Restaurant group, D&D London, will launch its own wines on 21 October 2015. The red and white still wines were created in partnership with top Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer, Château la Nerthe, and will be available in all D&D UK restaurants and wine shops.
Created with D&D sommeliers
A group of D&D London sommeliers including Benoit Allauzen (South Place Hotel), Olivier Marie (Coq d’Argent), Alexis Meszoly ( D&D Wine Shop) and Ben Van de Meutter (Butler’s Wharf Chophouse) visited Chateau la Nerthe’s property in the southern Rhône valley, Domaine de la Renjarde, in January 2015, to create the blend with Château la Nerthe head winemaker, Christian Voeux. The wines were both bottled under the Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation.
Les Gamins
The red wine was made from 60% Grenache Noir, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Its name, ‘Les Gamins’ can be loosely translated as ‘the kids’ and reflects the massive excitement the sommelier team had for the whole project – like kids in a sweet shop. Deep purple in colour it has distinct ripe, black fruit and spice aromas on the nose. Rich raspberry, black cherry and raisin flavours dominate on the palate, in an elegant wine with delicate tannins.
Les Trois Bises
The white wine is called Les Trois Bises, which translates as ‘three kisses’, which was inspired by the number of grape varieties in the blend, as well as the local custom to greet with three kisses rather than two. The final blend contains 40% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc and 30% Viognier. It has distinct aromas of pear, candied fruits and pastry which follow through to the palate. This is a fresh, rich and well balanced wine.
Food-friendly
Alexis Meszoly, manager, D&D Wine, said: “This has been a hugely exciting project for us. We saw the Rhône as the right region to make D&D’s first wines and love the wines of Château la Nerthe, so it has been great to work with Christian, the head winemaker, on this. The wines we created together are very food-friendly and we always had the very diverse styles of cooking at D&D restaurants in mind during the blending.”
Artwork for the labels was created by Stockholm-based illustrator, Maria Raymondsdotter, whose playful style reflects the laid-back and irreverent approach that D&D takes to wine.
Les Gamins 2014 and Les Trois Bises 2014 will be available in D&D restaurants priced individually per restaurant from £35; and to buy online. They are imported by Champagnes & Châteaux , UK agent for Château La Nerthe and a key wine partner of D&D London.
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