
2013 Vin Gris Tuilé
You may not believe this but in fact I am pretty much of a Tory/traditionalist in my taste for wine, though occasionally I am inspired by the oddball, outré style. I was fortunate enough to taste a solarized vin tuilé (brick wine, so called because of its color) in a visit to Côte de Provence. The wine (typically pink or red) is set out on the roof or wall where it sits, out in the elements for nine months. The exposure to ultraviolet radiation, I’m told, effectively kills all of the microorganisms in the wine, as well as degrades the SO2, so one ends up with a stable wine with but a mere trace of sulfite.
In this style, we filled a number of glass carboys and set this wine out al fresco for the requisite gestation period. It’s a funny wine – slightly nutty with the definite flavor of curry (found that flavor as well in the vins tuilés from Provence). This blend features a good portion of Mourvèdre; that variety seems to work best for this style, I can sonorously pronounce in faux-mavenhood. It’s not for everyone, mais c’ést très cool, quand même.
Try this fun cocktail by DEWN Member Tyler Stone, dubbed the "Cruzoni":
1 part Venus Spirits №1 Gin
1 part Vin Gris Tuilé
1 part Campari or St. George Spirits Bruto Americano
Build in glass with ice; stir.