Opimian’s offerings from Languedoc-Roussillon are some of my favourite purchases, not only because they are inexpensive, but they are simply great drinking wines. I have placed many orders on this offering over the years and will pass on my experiences and preferences, based on my own tastes of course!
That being said, two new suppliers are featured: Domaine Jones and BLB Vignobles. From Domaine Jones the AOP Fitou (#9274 Domaine Jones, Vieilles Vignes and #9276 Domaine des Rebouls) wines caught my eye, especially the Vieilles Vignes with its hundred year old vines. Similarly, #9278 Vieilles Vignes de la Jasse and #9280 Tête de Cuvée de la Jasse from BLB have sparked some interest!
#9281 Lagarde Blanc has been a regular purchase for me of an inexpensive, crisp, light sipper that nonetheless has some character. I cannot recommend highly enough the great value of the delicious #9283 Tortoise Creek Carignan which I am pleased to buy by the dozen each year! I have enjoyed wines from Les Argelières and Domaine Saint-Martin in the past, just not the ones offered this year.
One of the best Opimian suppliers, I have enjoyed everything I have ever had from Sapin. Favourites that are represented in this offer include anything from Domaine Peirière and Domaine Blomac from which I will highlight #9292 Domaine Peirière Réserve Syrah and #9294 Domaine Blomac Chardonnay.
Connecting with Château Canet in its early years has been a real find for Opimian. Their wines have been very good, and getting better every year. I’m hoping #9297 Chardonnay 2016 is similar to the Chardonnay Oak Reserve we have been buying for the past few years. The #9300 Picpoul de Pinet is a special wine which is another annual purchase. Both Minervois wines, #9302 Rouge and #9303 Réserve have been winners in the past. Their top wine has been a Founder’s Choice selection and #9304 Les Evangiles is recommended.
Château Vignelaure is another jewel in Opimian’s crown. I am currently down to my last bottle of the 2002 and it is drinking beautifully at fifteen years old. Any wine from this supplier is worth considering, but I would put my money on either the mixed case #9309 La Source, Château Vignelaure, or #9310 Château Vignelaure.
The wine that sparked my appreciation for white wines was a brilliant Sancerre served crisp and cool on a hot day. It’s good to be able to buy Loire whites from Opimian again, as they were always superb. Maison Foucher Lebrun is a new supplier for Opimian and I will have to test out the #9265 Touraine Sauvignon as this sub-region was a standard purchase for me. I am also hopeful for #9268 Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine and #9269 Sancerre Blanc.
The high demand for Burgundy combined with low production, in part due to nature, has made even simple wines from this region quite expensive. The efforts of Jane Masters and our local suppliers are aimed at finding those gems that deliver good value at the prices demanded.
Domaine Billard Père et Fils
This domaine is one of those gems which has proved itself to me back when I was an Area Representative – simply very good red and white Burgundy! You will not be disappointed with either #9248 Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, La Justice or #9249 Saint-Romain, La Combe Bazin. If your wallet can manage, it’s worth trying one of the more expensive offerings as well!
Starting as one of our Beaujolais suppliers, Bernard Perrin has developed a négociant business which has been sourcing wines for Opimian from Burgundy too. Unfortunately, I haven’t sipped any of these wines from Bernard, but if I were to pick one, it would be #9264 Beaune 1re Cru, Les Bressandes.
The Opimian Society is “Canada’s wine club” and offers some 500 wines to 15,000 members across the country each year. All wines are selected by Master of Wine, Jane Masters, and sourced from suppliers from all the major wine regions of the world. Wines are ordered and delivered to members via the liquor boards or equivalent in each provincial and territorial jurisdiction (except Nunavut). Disclosure: I am a former member of the board of directors of the Opimian Society and former area representative.
We enjoyed our last virtual tasting so much we had to do it again – a great excuse to pull out some wines a little more special than normal, particularly the sweets, which are rare without (real) company. And then we combine this with a chat about the wines (and other things) with our wine […]
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We had been interested in setting a date for a dinner and tasting with our two close-by friends, but it was derailed by the recent omicron surge! Instead, we arranged to dine separately, but using the same wine selection, and then connect on Zoom over the dessert wine and discuss the wines, and the match […]
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Steve, thanks for this rundown. I am just going over the offering now and, while most of your annual purchases also turn out to be my annual purchases, you have also mentioned some wines that I have not been buying but will look at more seriously. Always enjoy your posts.
[…] » Visit Now Jul 18, 2017 · The Opimian Society is “Canada’s wine club” and offers some 500 wines to 15,000 members across the country each year. All wines are selected by Master of Wine, Jane Masters, and sourced from suppliers from all the major wine regions of the world. […]