I think most of us intuitively pair our wine, not only with our food, but also with the weather. Especially, if you live somewhere more temperate, where hot days can melt into cool nights and sultry summer can simmer into cold falls (something I am still getting used to)! For me, a chilled glass of gamay goes perfectly with a summer sunset. What do y’all think?

To test this theory, I decided to open up a bottle of Malivoire’s 2018 Courtney Gamay. And so far, the data supports my conclusion. I really enjoyed this refreshing and accessible, yet complex wine: ripe, juicy strawberries and cherries (with only the slightest hint of a confected note in the background) are accompanied by aromas of freshly ground pepper, an earthiness, and (what I have come to refer to as) subtle notes of “funk and florals”, something I am becoming more and more fond of. There is just a whisper of vanilla as well, which I always find pleasing.

I love the wine’s silky texture: it is nicely balanced with fine tannins and refreshing acidity (and no detectable sweetness). While it is delicious now, especially when paired with some creamy cheeses, I would like to see how it evolves and changes over the next 5 years. I also want to try Malivoire’s other gamays. I think a vertical and horizontal tasting would be a great idea! 

Now, for some technical stuff: the fruit were grown in the Courtney Block of Malivoire’s Estate Vineyard and fermented in a limestone concrete tank, with some fruit (10%) fermenting in whole clusters (which might explain the slight note of confection I thought I smelled).  Whilst 70% of the wine aged in neutral oak barriques for 16 months, 30% was aged in new barrels for 10 months (hence the slight vanilla note, I think) and then, for 6 months in older oak. Also, this wine is vegan-friendly! 

I think this is a great buy for the summer, and fall, and it’ll be lovely by the fireside in winter too! If you’d like to try it, head on over to Malivoire’s winery or order it online from their website.