WINE TUMBLER

• 2013-03-23

  

  Tunisia Red

• 2012-09-30

  

  Tunisia Gris

  
  Gris de Tunisie is produced in the Coteaux de Tébourba A.O.C. area, located in the north of Tunisia, in the Carthage backcountry. It is well-known for its semi continental microclimate characterised by significant temperature changes, resulting in the perfect combination of freshness and aromatic character. After cooling the harvest of Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan, the free-run juice is stored in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks where it undergoes a 15-day slow fermentation.

  WT had the pleasure of drinking this pleasant wine with some friends last night. With fruity hints, it is a balanced gris and its length on the palate is just almost perfect. It is recommended that the Gris de Tunisie be served with sea bream cooked in fennel or tortillas with chorizo sausage. WT had it with some wasabi mix trail nuts. Definitely a delicious wine. Guests were pleasantly surprised by this wine …

• 2012-09-19

  

  Tunisia White

• 2012-07-09

  Tunisia White and Rose

  
  Alternative cute new bottling for Clipea Chardonnay

• 2012-06-12

  Tunisia Kurubis Wine Production et al …

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  Tunisia Wine - The New Kid on the Block

  Hold the press just a tad bit. So I arrived in Tunis in May of 2012 expecting to review the wines I knew already. Imagine my surprise upon noting some new and good entrants into the wine market. Most notable was Kurubis. 

  Kurubis is a joint venture between Rhône winemaker Didier Cornillon and a local agribusiness. The enterprise began in 2000 with the planting of vines and building of a modern winery in coastal town of Korba in Cap Bon. The first wines were made in 2005 and are only for export, with most of the production destined for the French market. Kurubis also makes one of Tunisia’s two Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wines, which I will be reviewing in the near future. Their wines include Kurubis Red (66% Syrah, 34% Mourvèdre), Kurubis Chardonnay (100% Chardonnay)and K de Kurubis (the Chardonnay sparkling wine).

• 2012-06-08

  Visits to Wineries … Morocco and Tunisia

  WT recently paid visits to the biggest wineries in in Morocco (Celliers de Meknes) and Tunisia (UCCV). I will be reporting on findings there mostly in pics and quotes in the coming days as I head to non-wine Senegal. 

  … keep reading and following!

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  Tunisia White - Muscat Sec De Kelibia

  
  

  
  Tunisia’s UCCV did a rebranding of the bottling of its Muscat Sec de Kelibia with its 2011 output (see previous post for old bottle). The wine itself is still as crisp and refreshing as WT remembers from 2009 Muscat Sec de Kelibia, especially good for the summer. No judgment passed yet on the new bottle … WT will wait and see if this makes an impact.

  
  

  
  

  Tasting notes:

  
  “refreshing raisin aromas, clean spirit and unusual length of flavour on the palate” - Wine Tumbler May 2012

  “ an endearing muscat fragrance, fresh and crisp on the palate with a hint of raisiny flavours, nicely done ” - Andrew Stevenson Dec 2009

  “ Light straw colour. Lively Muscat nose with mouth-watering grapey aromatics and tropical fruits .Clean acidic style, perfectly dry ” - Francis Gimblett August 2009.

  Perfect with seafood or as an aperitif.

• 2012-06-06

  Tunisia - Les Vignerons de Carthage Cellar

• 2012-05-27

  

  Tunisia Wine

  The Chateau St. Augustin winery was built between February and July 2000. All the materials of the winery were claimed to be carefully chosen by a team of well-known oenologists in order to maximize the exceptional potential of its vineyard. I remember that the Chateau St.Augustin Cesar August AOC 1er cru 2003 was the first Tunisian wine I ever had. It possessed aromas of peach and lemon. It was soft to the palate and could always be counted on to be drinkable and help liven a gathering. 

  However, during my current visit, I have noted the absence of any version of Chateau St. Augustin in any stores. The reason for its absence has not been confirmed but the grapevine has it that the family that owned the winery was connected to the deposed president of the country. Hence, the demise of the company after that power structure crumbled. WT will keep digging for the real story. In the meantime, if anyone out there has a couple of bottles saved, WT would love to buy a bottle or two off you.