CdL demi-sec?

Question

Just received the yearly offer of home delivery from Dom d'Ambinos, the fine producer of Coteaux du Layon. Basically they make a tour of Normandy every spring to save us lazies a trip down there, and to keep the price down if we want it shipped.

This year they list a CdL demi-sec '05 for the princely sum of

5.40 EU. I don't recall ever seeing a demi-sec from this appellation before. Anyone had one, who can tell me what to expect? (This is a "buy without tasting" situation, but of course I have every confidence in this excellent house).

-E

DaleW · Accepted Answer

I've never had a CdL labeled demi-sec, but I've had CdLs that I THOUGHT should be labeled ds. :) A bitch when you were opening for dessert.

I'd assume that a demi-sec CdL would show similarly to an off-dry Savennieres like the Baumard Trie Speciale. Nice for spicier food.

kenneth mccoy · Answer

This labelling issue is a frustrating one. I've had CdL with nodesignation that was quite sweet, and a Moelleux that was totally dry.Same problem with Vouvray and Montlouis. I had a Francois ChidaneMontlouis Clos-somethingorother with no designation that was a truedessert wine and another that was dry. Why can't winegrowers simplylabel %RS on the bottle? Or have a few hundred legal designations likeZe Germans?  P.S. the last corked bottle I opened was a Pichot Vouvray Moelleux 1996just this week. Dammit I hate cork!!!

Emery Davis · Answer

Well, I'd expect the former, but the latter is bizarre. I don't think I've ever had a totally dry CdL.

Personally I think the "levels" provided by the germans are fine, usually without RS. Although more information is never a bad thing.

Anyway, I've never seen demi-sec on a CdL, so it will be interesting to try. I'll report back!

I poured out a couple of Rhones last week myself. :(

-E

CdL demi-sec?

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