Frédéric Mesnier & Mas de Libian Côtes du Rhône Bout d’Zan

Frédéric Mesnier is a french guitarist and composer, born in 1961 and living near Paris. Although he’s self-taught and considers himself a non-professionnal musician, he’s quite accomplished as a guitarist. You can find a lot of his music under the username FMGuitar on Youtube. Frédéric's guitar seems anchored in classical technique, merging a modern approach and a very melodic style. His composition, Medieval Song, has more than a million views on YouTube and has been a top rated video worldwide. I think you’re going to enjoy him.

Medieval Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cW82NEivjo&feature=related

Yesterday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ImdxPy6lg&feature=relmfu

Blue Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2f6z5jq_iE&feature=relmfu

Blues in Perigord: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE3u0bBjxFQ&feature=relmfu

If You Were Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xW3i5kBRxQ&feature=relmfu

Wedding Waltz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlKG4ASKKpM&feature=relmfu

Song for Paris: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37xVdxPPtQE&feature=relmfu

Melody in D: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pCiCsGVsrw&feature=relmfu

Romance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmr5OozDKWk&feature=relmfu

Flying Guitar Melody: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu5s341c220&feature=relmfu

Over the Clouds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJDvQylZHRw&feature=relmfu

Medieval Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6w-pQcivjU&feature=relmfu

The Claw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvsDz6Qsq8Q&feature=related

Barock Progressive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaSdQXo-zvM&feature=relmfu

Of course, with a French guitarist, I have to recommend a French wine. While I was in the Groningen, the Netherlands recently, I dined at a superb restaurant called DePauw, also the name of my college alma mater. I was give the task of choosing the wine and the red I selected was a 2009 Mas de Libian Côtes du Rhône Bout d’Zan ($15.00 in the U.S.)

Mas de Libian is a remarkable winery owned by the same family since 1670. Hélène Thibon runs it and under her wise control Mas de Libian started estate bottling their wines rather then selling them to local wineries. A while ago, I reviewed their Khayyam and it’s a favorite of mine, although hard to find in the U.S.

The Bout d’Zan is composed of 80% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah with an alcohol content of approximately 14.5%. The title, “zan” is the name for a traditional French licorice candy that comes in little bits or “bouts.” Hélène’s father, Jean–Pierre, earned the moniker as he was small with deeply tanned skin as a kid.

This wine is a purple violet color with a nose fragrant with the smells of cherries and rhubarb. It’s medium to full bodied with flavors of cherry, raspberry, and casis, and subltle chocolate overtones on the long finish. Very nice wine, especially for the price. I just hope I can find it in the U.S. Enjoy!

Cheers!