Today marks the start of a new monthly feature, Wine or Whine, in which I will try out a wine I’ve never had before. All of the wines will be from any number of locations of la Société des alcools de Québec (SAQ) in Montreal. The contender of Wine or Whine for this month, January (just got in under the wire) is called Carrelot des Amants (2007). It comes from the Côtes du Brulhois, in the south-west of France.

Carrelot des Amants

I will be serving this wine this evening to accompany the modest meal I am serving up for my beautiful girlfriend, Monika, and our guest, the ever-radiant and talented Iva.

Here’s what the wine label has to say about Carrelot des Amants (my rush translation follows, and I took the liberty of bolding the best bit):

En 1574, Charles de Balzac, dit le “Bel Entraguel,” Seigneur de Dunes, fût l’amant de la Reine Margot.

On raconte les avoir aperçus une nuit dans un carrelot (petite ruelle) de la bastide, tendrement enlacés sous la lumière pale de la lune. On dit même qu’une coupe argentée de vin de Brulhois aurait été l’instigatrice de cette rencontre…

Issu ces cépages Merlot, Tannat et Cabernet, le “Carrelot des Amants,” tout en rondeur, gouleyant, aux arômes de petits fruits rouges, accompagnera merveilleusement viands en sauces, viands grilles, fromages et charmera vos repas comme il a charmé, il y a quatre siècles, les rencontres de Charles de Balzac et de la Reine Margot.

In 1574, Charles of Balzac, also called the “Handsome Entraguel” [what on earth an Entraguel is, I do not know, and nor does my French/English dictionary], Lord of Dunes, was the lover of Queen Margot.

Tales are told of the couple being seen in a little alleyway of the village, tenderly embracing one another under the pale light of the moon. It is said that it was a silver goblet of wine from Brulhois that provoked this encounter.

Made from Merlot, Tannat and Cabernet grapes, “Carrelot des Amants,” a well-rounded and fresh wine, replete with the aromas of small red fruit, goes marvelously well with meats in sauce, grilled meat – and it will enchant your dining experience the same way it enchanted the encounters of Charles of Balzac and Queen Margot over four centuries ago.

Should be served between 15 and 17 celsius.

Price (here in Montreal): $12.95

And the verdict is coming shortly… After we get around to drinking it, of course!

Wine or Whine?

Definitely no whining here. I loved Carrelot des Amants and so did my guests. It is compact, stealthy and seductive. You might call it the ballroom dancer of the wine family, able to go the distance with experienced grace — and tenderness…  All of that is to say that at $12.95, you definitely can’t go wrong. Followed by a trip to the opera afterwards (which certainly would ordinarily cost a lot more than $12.95 but for us was thankfully, free — merci, the warehouse) this wine was part of a perfect evening. Consider me charmed, indeed.