Five innovative wines from Vin De France’s Best Value Selection 2021

Last month Anivin De France announced the 146 wines that were selected as ambassador wines for 2021 following this year’s tasting of nearly 500 wines.

A total of 484 wines were entered from a total of 103 French wine companies, with 31 companies winning a gold medal. The 146 winning wines were split into two categories: 52 gold medals and 94 silver medals.

The number of gold medals demonstrates the consistent outstanding quality of the wines in this denomination. Click here for a full list of the 2021 selection.

The wines were chosen in Paris in February at a blind tasting by 28 wine buyers and winemakers. It was moderated by members of the OEnologues de France.

In the UK, sales of Vin De France wines are consistently positive – the UK is the number one export market in volume and value for VDF wines with grape varieties on the label, representing 24% of export volume and 22% export value.

A total of 21.5 million bottles of VDF with grape varieties on the label were exported to the UK in 2020, up 12% versus 2019, amounting to €39.3m in value.

Vin De France (VDF) is a national classification created in 2009 in Europe following changes in the regulations about the European nomenclature of wine categories.

The wines can be either a single varietal wine, or a blend, and they can state both the grape variety/varieties and the vintage on the label.

Vin De France has become the national denomination for France, and as such is complementary to both PDO (AOC) and PGI wines. The category offers basic, premium and super-premium wines.

Below we have rounded up five innovative single varietal wines and blends that won gold medals at this year’s event.

An in-depth look at all the wines within the 2021 selection appears in the June issue of the drinks business. Click here for the full list of medal winners.

Ampelomeryx Par Pellehaut 2019 by Domaine de Pellehaut

According to its maker, this yellow-tinted blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gros Manseng and Petit Menseng has “an expressive nose reminiscent of exotic fruit, citrus and spice coupled with toasty notes. Supple and mouth-filling with a lively palate, it pairs well with fish, poultry or cheese.”

Le Petit Cochonnet 2020 by Vignobles & Compagnie

This tongue-in-cheek white is made from a blend of Grenache Blanc and Viognier. According to its maker the wine is “lifted and pretty, with notes of peach. The palate is well balanced, with the white fruit supported by a bright, fresh acidity”.

Orange Gold 2020 by Gérard Bertrand

Languedoc pioneer Gérard Bertrand’s first orange wine, Orange Gold, is made from a blend of Chardonnay, White Grenache, Viognier, Marsanne, Mauzac and Muscat. According to Bertrand, the nose offers “an explosion of notes of white flowers, candied fruit and white pepper”, while on the palate you’ll find “flattering aromatic freshness and enveloping texture with a hint of bitterness on the finish”. The wine pairs well with Indian and Asian dishes.

Hashtag X Prime 2019 by Les Vins Florian Mathieu

A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Marsellan, according to its maker, this fruity red has a bouquet of “candied black fruits, blackcurrant, violet, vanilla and toasted notes”. The palate, meanwhile, is “fruity, full-bodied, soft and supple, with woody notes and a rich finish.”

K – Carmenère 2018 by L’Arjolle

Made from 100% Carmenère, this inky purple red is “rich and complex, with notes of blackcurrant, blackberries and ripe red cherries, alongside hints of grilled red peppers and smoke”. In the mouth, the wine is “full-bodied, with balanced tannins and a long finish.”