From Snake to Lamb
從蛇到羊
CNY is around the corner. Normally we do Chinese Zodiac fortune telling for the upcoming year. Obviously next year is the year of Rooster. Why talking about past years of Snake and Lamb?
年近歲晚，通常都用中國生肖預測年運。不是吧！明年是雞年唷！怎會倒過去談蛇談羊？
Please do not get me wrong. We are talking about a spectacular Roussillon white wine here. The Grenache Blanc 2012 of Domaine Vents du Sud. It is colorful and versatile. It seems that winter disappeared this year. This week is a bit cooler and I think of snake soup and lamb hot pot. This pleasant bottle of wine would be most suitable.
別誤會，這兒談的是一瓶很精彩的蒿絲雍白葡萄酒：南嵐酒莊的白格納殊。她十分多姿多彩而且百搭。今年冬天好像消失了，這幾天稍有涼意，馬上想起了蛇羹和羊腩煲，這瓶可喜的南嵐，最適合不過了！
Appellations in Southern France allows 20 something white varietals for white wine. White Grenache is common place but seldom take part for solo. Grenache Blanc in Southern Rhone is rigid, in Languedoc more supple and round , in Roussillon the most wonderful. It is curvaceous with lots of fruits, spice and mineral.
法國南部的法定白葡萄有十多二十款。常見的白格納殊，很少獨唱。隆尼河南端的較硬朗，朗格多的圓潤，蒿絲雍的最精彩；豐腴多果，既有香料又多礦物。
Domiane Vents du Sud is a husband and wife partnership. Jean Claude Villies is an engineer and a big wine fans as well. He loves wine so much so he plant his own grape and makes his own wine. His beloved wife follows his dream and looks for good field. After 30 years, they have their own domaine. They also provide vacation service at the vineyard. They are not the type of estate with a butleress wearing a bonnet to serve you; but the the recreational camp type with facilities for organic farming , trail walking and sailing. They are very down to the earth and modest.
南嵐酒莊是夫妻檔。尚克羅是工程師，又是酒迷。太愛酒了，於是自種自釀，老婆一直唱隨，到處找好田。三十年終於完成心願，有自己的酒莊，而且提供葡萄園度假服務。不是有法國女管家戴小白帽侍候客人的那種，而是而是康樂度假營，體驗有機耕作畜牧，爬山玩風帆的那種，十分淡泊平實。
Domaine Vents du Sud have more than 10 labels, among them Grenache Blanc is the most amiable. Vintage 2012 is made with very nostalgic method of “ Orange Wine” . It is long time maceration with grape skin and extracts all the pigment. The first impression on the nose is like Nanmu Sandal wood and ambergris, Indian incense . In the middle note, it offers smashed banana and chocolate; very interesting and full of surprises.
南嵐的十多個標籤，白格納殊最討人喜愛。2012年份是用“橙酒”古方泡製，長時間的浸泡，葡萄皮的色素都攝取到盡。第一個印象如同楠木，還有很明顯的龍涎香、印度香、中段的可可及後發展為香蕉，很有趣也很多驚喜。
Jean Claude does not make every year the “ Orange Wine” ( deep orange colour white white not really made of orange) but only with good year’s harvest. There are only a few dozens left for 2012. Annual production 1200 bottles. The soonest “Orange” Grenache Blanc will be 2017 which will be ready for the market in 2018.
尚克羅不是每年都做“橙酒”（深如橙色，不是用橙釀），只有好年份才做“橙酒”。2012就剩下最後數十瓶。他們年產量1200瓶。下一個南嵐格納殊“橙酒”，要等2017年的收成，2018年才上市。
The wine is now at its peak. It goes well with from shrimp dumplings, Xiao Mai to snake soup and lamb, even desserts. Bring this bottle to your dinner party and you may show off not the big name but your knowledge as an expert.
這酒現處最巔峰狀態。由蝦餃燒賣，到蛇羹羊腩，甚至臘肉臘腸，都能招架。在餐聚中用這酒，可供炫耀的不是酒的名氣，而是酒主品味獨特，知人不知的專家氣唷！
Domaine Vents du Sud 2012 0.75 Original HKD 388 Special Offer HKD 338
南嵐酒莊白格納殊2012 0.75 原價HKD388 特價HKD 338
