3 More obscure grape varieties:
Fer, Baga and Gaglioppo. Wines 227/8/9 in my wine century. I thoroughly recommmend the Gaglioppo from the Wine Society at £9.50. The other 2 - not so much so. All 3 from the Wine Society
Fer
The Grape:
Fer (also known as Fer Servadou, Pinenc, Mansois and several other synonyms) is a red French wine grape variety that is grown primarily in South West France and is most notable for its role in the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) wines of Gaillac, Marcillac and Béarn but can also be found as minor component in the wines of Madiran, Cabardès and Bergerac. The grape is also featured in red blends from several vin de pays regions in the south west with significant plantings coming from the Aveyron department.
The Wine: Marcillac ‘Lo Sang del Pais', Domaine du Cros 2019 - £9.50
Wine Society Blurb
These steep, iron-rich slopes in south-west France have been good vineyard country for centuries. This is the key estate that has led the present revival. Ruby-coloured, quite full in this exceptional vintage, and rounded with flavours of raspberry and plum.
My Thoughts:
Its OK. Perfectly fine French Country red. But doesn’t really have much about it. Full bodied, but little else. 6/10
Would I buy it again? Probably not
Baga
The Grape:
Baga is a red Portuguese wine grape variety[planted primarily in the Bairrada DOC. As a varietal, Baga produces tannic wines with high acidity.
Synonyms - Baga is also known under the synonyms Baga de Louro, Baguinha, Bairrada, Bairrado Tinta, Baya, Carrasquenho, Carrega Burros, Goncalveira, Morete, Moreto, Paga Dividas, Poeirinha, Poeirinho, Povolide, Preiinho, Pretinho, Preto Rifete, Rifete, Rosete, Tinta Bairrada, Tinta Bairradina, Tinta da Bairrada, Tinta de Baga, and Tinta Fin
The
Wine: Vadio Bairrada Tinto 2017 -£14.50
Wine Society Blurb:
This Portuguese red is crying out for the rich and fattier dishes the baga grape complements so well. This is an elegant wine from the Bairrada region and a small family-owned estate, with cherry and raspberry fruit and firm tannin structure.
My Thoughts:
A full bodied red, but so many of the other Portuguese red varieties are better and cheaper. Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira etc. 6/10
Would I buy it again? Probably not – certainly not at £14.50
Gaglioppo
The Grape
Gaglioppo is a red wine grape that is grown in southern Italy, primarily around Calabria. The vine performs well in drought conditions but is susceptible to oidium and peronospora. The grape produces wine that is full-bodied, high in alcohol and tannins with a need for considerable time in the bottle for it to soften in character. It is sometimes blended with up to 10% white wine.
Origin
Gaglioppo - recent studies using DNA profiling instead indicate an Italian origin. The grape is believed to be an offspring of the Calabrian wine grape Mantonico bianco. It was previously claimed that it was introduced to southern Italy around the same time as the Aglianico vine.
An Italian study published in 2008 using DNA typing showed a close genetic relationship between Sangiovese on the one hand and ten other Italian grape varieties on the other hand, including Gaglioppo. It is therefore likely that Gaglioppo is a crossing of Sangiovese and another, so far unidentified, grape variety.
The Wine: Cirò Rosso Gaglioppo, Santa Venere 2018 - £ 10.50
The Wine Society Blurb:
Brilliant fruity Calabrian red from gaglioppo grapes grown organically in a vineyard that overlooks the the sea at the very toe of Italy. In the past, such wines were blended out of recognition to improve northern wines, but when carefully and intelligently made, as here, you will find them a revelation.
My Thoughts:
A very nice, fruity, medium bodied red – perhaps similar to a good valpolicella. I really liked it. 8.5/10
Would I buy it again – Yes. Very much so.
