This article was published in The 30 Second Wine Advisor on Friday, Jul. 6, 2012 and can be found at http://www.wineloverspage.com/wineadvisor2/tswa20120706.php.

A wine with a story

Some wine labels come with deeper stories than Little Penguins or even Marilyn Merlot. I can't say that fascinating tales make the wine taste any better ... and yet knowing those tales somehow enhances my enjoyment.

Consider for example "Les Hérétiques," the earthy, robust blend of Carignan and Syrah that we're featuring today.

A heretic is a dissenter, an individual or group who disavows the established wisdom, particularly when it comes to the dogma of an established church.

Nowadays, only the most orthodox of any belief spend much time worrying about heresy. Surely a majority of 21st century humans, not excluding most mainline believers, are likely to embrace the definition with a joking smile as a way of saying that they'd rather not park their brain at the door.

In olden times, though, heresy was nothing to joke about, and therein lies the story behind the name of this week's featured wine, the top-value Famille Iché 2010 "Les Hérétiques" - yes, "The Heretics" - a Vin de Pays ("wine of the country") from the Hérault in France's Languedoc-Rouissillon.

Briefly told, "Les Heretiques" takes its name from the Cathars, a peaceful but non-conformist Catholic sect that was wiped out by more orthodox opponents in a series of 13th century massacres including an army of Crusaders that momentarily diverted its attention from its goal in the Levant to wipe out a few thousand heretics.

The specifics of the Cathar heresy, which were rooted in definitional battles dating back to the Manicheans early in the Christian era, are all but lost to us eight centuries later. But memories in rural Rouissillon are long, and many Languedocians today still remember the persecution of the Cathars.

You'll find my tasting notes below. Enjoy it, without fear of rack or fire or headsman's axe.

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Today's Tasting Report

Famille Iché 2010 "Les Hérétiques" Vin de Pays de l'Hérault ($8.99)

Clear dark purple with ruby glints. Fresh cherry-berry aromas and flavors with a floral hint of freshly ground black pepper. Juicy but not over-the-top fruit works and plays well with crisp, fresh-fruit acidity and a long cleansing finish, 12% alcohol, a well-balanced, food-friendly flavor. A blend of Carignan and Syrah grapes. U.S. importer: LDM Wines Inc., NYC; Louis/Dressner Selections. (June 18, 2012)

FOOD MATCH: Fine with a summer mix of high-heat-roasted fresh veggies - zucchini and summer squash, new white creamer potatoes and chunks of sweet onion tossed in olive oil.

WHEN TO DRINK: Its base varieties Carignan and Syrah should assure it several years of useful life, but simple wines of this type tend to be at their best when they're fresh. Enjoy the 2010, and note that the 2011 vintage is already on hand at Chambers Street Wines.

VALUE: For lovers of the earthy, austere style of European country wines, it's hard to beat this price, and I actually got it for even less, $8.09 for the bottle with the 10 percent discount as part of a mixed case of 12 at Chambers Street Wines.

PRONUNCIATION:
Iché = "Ee-shay"
Les Hérétiques = "Leh-zeh-reh-teek"

WEB LINK:
Here is an importer fact sheet on the 2007 vintage.

FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
I got the wine at Chambers Street Wines in NYC, which appears to be out of the 2010 vintage but currently has a good supply of the 2011 at this link. I would not hesitate to order the 2011.

Compare prices and find vendors for Famille Iché "Les Hérétiques" on Wine-Searcher.com

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Jul. 6, 2012 | Copyright 2007 by Robin Garr. All rights reserved.

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