Aynsley Lister & Chateau Turcaud Bordeaux Clairet

Born in November 14, 1976, Leicester England, Aynsley Lister is next on my list of “1970’s Blues Guitar Phenoms." He grew up in a house full of music and started playing the guitar at the age of eight, copying licks from his dad’s records of Freddie King, John Mayall, and Eric Clapton. After his first album, he caught the attention of the blues community and he began opening for artist like Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, and John Mayall. Lister was the only British artist to be featured in Classic Rock’s 2007 "Top 10 Contemporary Blues Artists." Now, with an established reputation as a premier guitarist, he headlines blues festivals across Europe. He’s got a soulful style that’s great for kicking back and realizing you’re more than halfway through the week. Enjoy!

Texas Shuffle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twlYRHUhCCk

Inside Out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N6-oyPrdXk

Purple Rain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrqRwd7XdY8&feature=related

SRV style: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0xMW5fXZ7I

Angel of Mine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n04NvnKbPHY

As the Crow Flies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFANL4HpWTo

Reconsider: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUXoduwCTSk

Ain’t no Sunshine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv6ozzVSiFE

Crazy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuUZOY0bGbM&feature=related

In the Morning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2DzQhsqF-w

Take to the Road: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qq_jaWSriQ&feature=relmfu

Insatiable: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLfI6z_d_No

What It’s All About: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F19RsnJha8

I have a different sort of wine to go with Aynsley’s guitar work, namely a 2011 Chateau Trucaud Bordeaux Clairet ($10.00). This is the first time I’ve tasted a Bordeaux Clairet, which is a title given to light red wines that reflect the style of red Bordeaux as it was centuries ago when they began to be exported to England.  The main difference is the amount of time that that the wine spends in contact with the skins during fermentation. It’s days for a Clairet as opposed to weeks for a classic red Bordeaux. The result is a marvelous wine that’s midway between a rosé and a red wine. The Chateau Turcaud is 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot and is a brilliant cherry red and crimson in color. The nose is full of freshly sliced strawberries and herbs with a palate full of red raspberries and more strawberry. It’s a dry wine with a long smooth finish. I love lighter reds for summer and this is a perfect fit. Unfortunately, I’ll leave the rest of my half case for next year as the temperature is plunging tomorrow. But for now, I’ll remember a warm summer night with a bottle of Clairet and the music of Aynsley Lister’s mournful blues.

Cheers!