Maréchal
Foch: Big Reds from Cool Climates
© Paul Bulas
Maréchal Foch, often
referred to simply as Foch, is one of my all-time favourite wine
grapes. Part of the reason for this is that this small, purple-skinned
French hybrid grape, with its deep inky purple-coloured juice,
reliably produces sturdy, flavourful and ageworthy reds in cool-climate
growing regions. Its wines are without fail acid-driven, making
them naturally food-friendly. Tannin levels are minimal, which
makes varietal Foch easy to enjoy young, although the strong
acidic backbone can lend some respectable ageing potential. As a
vine, Foch is winter-hardy and its fruit is early-ripening; like
many varieties with North American parentage, it has good disease
resistance.
Depending on the style in which it is made, the aromatic and
flavour profile of Foch can vary somewhat, although there are
some key descriptors that I have taken note of over the years
that recur rather predictably (I will concentrate my remarks on
VQA Foch produced in Ontario, as I am most familiar with these
local offerings). It can be said that the majority of varietal
Foch produced in Ontario is made in a dry, extracted, oaked style.
Generally, American oak is used, and it does add an extra
aromatic dimension to the nose of the wine.
Upon opening, a young Foch will typically display a reserved,
spicy black cherry aroma, which may be backed up by an underlying
charred-buckwheat aroma. At times, I have also seen the wines
displaying a remarkable amount of earthiness, as well as a gamy,
plummy spiciness. Although some folks whose wine experience has
centered on vinifera varieties may not immediately take to these
aromas, I personally enjoy their rustic nature and find it to be
a pleasant change.
Just like Baco Noir, Foch has what I see as a delightful tendency
to produce wines that are completely lacking in "greenness"
in difficult or poor vintages. While the acidity can be palpably
higher in a weak vintage and the colour may not be inky and
saturated as in warmer vintages, the fruit component of Foch will
usually come through as bright, high-toned red berries rather
than any sort of underripeness, and the mouthfeel will be tart
and alive.
Here are some of my favourites:
1996 Cilento Maréchal Foch (VQA Ontario)
Medium ruby colour with a slight amber glint. Pigmentation is
noticeably lighter than in warmer years. Whiffs of burnt meat,
smoky buckwheat and delicate, tart wild strawberries. Pleasantly
tart, clean mouthfeel. Some velvety tannins emerge towards the
finish, with noticeable oak from start to finish. The structure
as such shows no signs of rain-inspired dilution. This is quite
impressive given the general weakness of the 1996 vintage.
1997 De Sousa Maréchal Foch (VQA Ontario)
Clear dark purple with a ruby centre. Tart blackcurrants and
plums on the nose. Clean and lean acid-driven wine, with a bright,
tart blackcurrant attack that spreads across the palate. Bright,
palate-cleansing mouthfeel with little perceptible tannin.
1997 Lakeview Cellars Maréchal
Foch (VQA Ontario)
Opaque black-purple. Tart, gamey-beetroot nose. Secondary black
raspberry and blackberry notes with a strong earthy/mineral note.
Firm acidity with a touch of sweetness, followed by a tarry,
restrained, oaky finish. Develops a lovely smoky mulberry, coffee-like
note as it warms in the glass.
1998 D'Angelo Old Vines Foch Reserve (VQA Ontario)
Very dark ruby-garnet at the core; ruby with a tinge of purple at
the edges. Dark and brooding; sweet aromas of ripe black cherries
and vanillin oak, framed by Foch's signature smoky, burnt earth
and redcurrant notes as well as a hint of game. Not entirely
unlike a Barbera, but much darker and wilder. Laser-like acid
attack, followed by juicy redcurrants, sweetish hints of raisins
and a creamy smokiness on the midpalate. Very little tannin. Just
a dab of bitterness on the finish. Extremely well-integrated oak
throughout the tasting profile.
1998 Malivoire Old Vines Foch
(VQA Ontario)
Impenetrable hazy black-purple colour with ruby highlights.
Concentrated aromas of tart blackcurrant, with smoky black
buckwheat, tar, brambly fruit and vanillin oak lurking behind.
Typical of Foch, it has a firm and assertive acid attack with
concentrated flavours consistent with the nose. Plenty of
American oak on the midpalate, a bit disjointed at this point,
lasting well into the finish. Long, smoky buckwheat finish.
1999 Malivoire Old Vines Foch
(VQA Ontario)
Saturated black-purple with crimson highlights. Smoky
blackcurrant and cherry aromas amid game and cedar. Sweetish
texture on the entry, with a midpalate of dark bramble and huge
new American oak/pencil shavings. Long, full-flavoured and full-textured
finish; tannic and disjointed. In need of aging.
1999 Harrow Estates Maréchal Foch (VQA Ontario)
Clear medium ruby-scarlet colour. Tart red berries, sour beetroot,
charred meat and hints of bramble -- all framed by a very forward
aroma of American oak. Tingling acidity on the attack fans out
warmly on the midpalate, carrying the noticeable oak with it into
the clean, nearly tannin-devoid finish. Simple and lighter-bodied
style.
1999 Thomas & Vaughan Maréchal Foch "Old Vine"
(VQA Ontario)
Deep crimson colour at the core turning to scarlet at the rim;
plenty of crimson-violet tears with the slightest swirling of the
glass. Nose of bitter black cherries, earthy bramble and spicy
oak, with a charry note and hints of wild grass (this is the
rustic side of Foch showing through). Excellent balance is
evident right on the entry, with the cohesion of acidity, oak and
varietal flavours, as well as an integrated touch of sweetness,
being particularly notable. Elegant structure on the midpalate,
with an expansive, warming, drawn-out finish accented by powerful
oak and a tinge of black cherry bitterness.
In conclusion, I'm very happy to have discovered Foch, and hope
that others who live in areas where Foch is grown will discover
it too!
November 2001