Marechal Foch: my dirty little secret

Somm’s don’t typically talk highly of hybrids. Sometimes we’re a little sticky on the subject. Purist in our pursuit of fine fermented juice.

Early ripening, cold hearty, disease-resistant. Pour that in my glass and talk dirty to me—said no Somm ever. 

We prefer heartbreak grapes, romanticizing over Noble Rot, and have all the patience in a perfect world for late-bloomers. 

Often dismissing the working class grapes, the utilitarian bunches, the ones made in labs in labours of love in hopes to make it possible to grow grapes and make wine in more corners of the world.

Hold me accountable. I have huffed at hybrids. It’s time I share some loving lip service to one in particular—Marchel Foch…

A brambly, blueberry-smoke, wild child of a grape. Distinctly North in style.

Reminiscent of rustic, mixed-berry country pie hot out the wood-fired stove, bubbling at perfectly burnt crust.

Somewhere an unshaven old man with gentle eyes and strong hands works his sugar shack in a red wool jacket with worn elbows.

Snow sits heavy like half-melted ice cubes clinging to the bottom of your glass.  The smell of winter melt hangs like steam after a hot shower. Sap runs and spring birds sing. 

Not everyone appreciates Foch’s thrall, but a woman of the woods feels a surge of connection the moment it hits her lips. 

Backcountry cabin wine fit for a paper bag princess—a skinny dipping goddess with moonlit breasts, lake water hair and sultry swim strokes.

Pairs perfectly with frolicking bare foot in the forest and a fresh-lit, hand-rolled mixer of Dutch tobacco and your Aunt Mary’s Jane. Also delightful with your grandmother’s pasta bolognese, AKA “Betty’s Spaghetti”

Every wine has its place, and my palate has a lot of space...

Foch, splash yourself in my glass 🍷 

Foch love inspired by Rathjen Cellars 2018 Bunker Red—a tart and brambly, unctuous blend of Marechal Foch, Gamay and Pinot Noir. 40% carbonic maceration. Wild ferment on all components. 2 years in neutral oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. Minimal sulphites at bottling (30 ppm). Knock-you-socks-off wine for you table!