Gamaret Meylan 2012

Veering away from Valais towards Ollon this time. Ollon is situated at the foot of the mountains on the southeast end of Lake Leman near Aigle. Gamaret, à la mode for quite a few years now, is a red wine grape variety created at the Station Fédérale de Recherches en Production Végétale de Changins in the 70s. It is a crossing of Gamay and Reichensteiner (a white grape variety). This same crossing also produces Garanoir and Mara.

Nose – a fruity explosion of wild, very ripe forest boysenberries and blackberries, with a touch of leather and spice creating all things nice.

Palate – subtle perfumed oak, with a hint of coffee and lush silky tannins. Give it approximately 20 minutes and it all becomes richer and more expressive. Very more-ish.

Mood match – to be consumed in a happy-go-lucky mood, settled in a warm Parisian bistro with a lively atmosphere. Fresh white linen tablecloths are a must and will show off the colour of the wine. I discovered this wine a few years ago at a bistro in Vevey called the Cafe Restuarant du 10 aout that was just like that. It’s now just a Starbucks café. A dinner party with settings that recreate the above atmosphere would do the trick.

Food match – pavé de boeuf or boeuf bourguignon. A good hearty wine with good hearty food.

Tip – but don’t spill! – a glass or two of red wine a day keeps the doctor away. Wine cuts through the fat in food and has antioxidants (polyphenols) in it. Look at the French – fatty diet but less heart attacks due to their daily red wine intake. Wine even used to be used as medication and as an anaesthetic for wounds and a pain control during childbirth.

Available online at: www.pameylan.ch and at Globus in Lausanne and Geneva.

Nina Bobillier is a wine reviewer and guide. nina@staging.lenews.ch