The wines of cafe rouge

New 'wines of the month' for Café Rouge

Café Rouge- known for its simple but effective French dishes - has been revamping its wine list, and as part of this process they have introduced a 'Wines of the Month' selection. These wines (see below for details) will sell at £12.95 a bottle, and by the glass at £3.25 (small) and £4.55 (large).

The good news for wine lovers is that these wines are very respectable, and the mark-ups are far less than you'd normally get in a restaurant. The wines for June and July are superb, and offer brilliant value for a restaurant, particularly considering that the retail price of these wines is low for the quality and interest on offer. My favourite is probably the Marcillac, a really individual wine with lots of character and interest. A great food wine.

June 2004

Jean Louis Denois Pinot Noir 2002 Vin de Pays d’Oc
It’s rare to find an interesting Pinot Noir from the Languedoc, but this certainly fits the bill. Savoury, intense nose with spicy, herby, slightly animally notes. The palate is savoury with lovely herby, spicy fruit. Midweight with a delicious animally edge and good acidity. Very good food compatibility, this is really interesting stuff. Very good/excellent 90/100

Domaine La Croix Belle Grenache Viognier 2003 Vin de Pays des Côtes de Thongue
Wonderfully delicate perfumed nose is subtly spicy, grapey apricot flavours with a distinct limey edge. The palate is soft and richly textured with lovely balance of fat tropical fruit with just enough acidity and spice to provide balance. A pretty, fruity wine. Very good+ 88/100

July 2004

Goisot Sauvignon St Bris 2002 Burgundy
A lovely richly flavoured grassy white with a smoky, minerally edge. Really nice balance and some fruit richness here – a delicious terroir wine. Very good/excellent 90/100

Domaine du Cros Marcillac 2002 Southwest France
Marcillac is a small appellation in Southwest France, and the grape here is Fer Servadou. Deep coloured. Intensely savoury, gravely, minerally nose with a smoky, earthy character to the dark raspberry fruits. The palate is savoury, dense and firm with intense spicy, tarry black fruits and a bloody, earthy character. Sensational stuff, and a perfect food wine. Very good/excellent 90/100

Wines of the Month will feature at the following Café Rouge restaurants:

Birmingham – Brindley Place
Manchester – Deansgate
Bury St Edmunds – Abbeygate Street
Reigate – Church Street
London – Hay’s Galleria, London Bridge
London – High Street, Hampstead
London – Basil Street, Knightsbridge
London – James Street, off Oxford Street
London – Wellington Street, Covent Garden
London – Abbeville Road, Clapham
London – Lancer Square, Kensington High Street
London – Montpelier Vale, Blackheath

There are 77 Café Rouge restaurants, nation-wide, and further details can be found on the web-site at: www.caferouge.co.uk