Castel wines for every occasion

THREE GENERATIONS of the close-knit family that runs the Castel Group have since 1949 been perfecting the art of winemaking. The group currently owns 1,400 hectares of vineyards in France and another 1,600 in Morocco, Tunisia and Ethiopia, and annually produces 640 million bottles.

Eighty per cent of those bottles are sold in France and much of the rest are finding welcoming homes in Asia.

Castel’s “directeur chateau and domaines” Patrick Bongard was in Bangkok last week to showcase stellar products from some of the group’s 21 winemaking estates in the Bordeaux region and Provence.

“Our style of wine is very modern, fresh and light and easy to drink,” Bongard told eager fans at the tasting. “It doesn’t come out the way most people would expect of Bordeaux wines. 

“The world is changing, and people enjoy wine with food more, and it’s become an art to pair wine and food. We accommodate this trend when we develop our wines and keep in mind what our consumers need.” 

Cotes de Provence Rose from Chateau Cavalier’s sandy soils yield varietals like Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Cabernet, Mourvedre and Carignan and together make the perfect blend for a salmon-pink rose. 

The nose of peach, lychee and rose, as well as its complexity and long, pleasing finish, makes it a good match for fish and poultry, any dishes in white sauce, and foods flavoured with herbs and spices. It’s also good on its own when slightly chilled. 

Maison Louis Girard Chablis, with pure Chardonnay, comes from a Chablis vineyard on slopes bordering the valley of the Serein River. 

The clear, pale-gold wine sports notes of honey, ripe white fruit and dried fruit, which leads into a wide array of flavours on the palate. Mouthful and smoothly harmonious, it has good minerality and crispness that goes well with dishes like carpaccio of tuna, sea bream and goat’s cheese. 

The “family wine” range – Famille Castel Grande Reserve – brings together an accessible range of wines. This full spectrum of tasty, affordable, easy-to-drink wines is made for sharing with friends and family. It captures the essence of France’s most distinguished grape varieties. Matured in oak barrels, the wines are a true reflection of the Pays d’Oc terrior.

Highlights include both reds and whites. Famille Castel Grande Reserve Chardonnay with a sparkly golden tint is rich and complex, with exotic fruits on the nose and subtle vanilla on the finish. It’s an ideal aperitif or paired with poultry or fish in light sauces.

Famille Castel Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has an alluring violet hue with balanced complexity of spices and black fruits, full and powerful and firm tannin – a good glass with grilled and roasted meats and cheeses. For something a bit heartier, the deep-red Famille Castel Grande Reserve Syrah has aromatic hint of spice and well-rounded tannins. It goes wonderfully well with red meat, game meat and spicy food.

 

Find out more about Castel wines at www.Groupe-Castel.com/En/Wines.