A Southern Rhône Celebration

This cold snap has us craving hearty, sun-drenched wines from the south of France. Stop by this Saturday to sample an assortment of Southern Rhône wines all at discounted prices. From country wines for $10, up to the region’s most famous appellation, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, for around $35. In-between are the AOCs of Côtes du Rhône-Villages, and the elevated villages of Gigondas and Vacqueryas. We’re cleaning house and moving out all of these wines at great prices so they won’t be around long.

The versatile grenache grape dominates in the Southern Rhône, supplemented by Syrah and Mourvèdre. We’ll be able to see just how this variety drinks from a simple, juicy, outwardly fruity, everyday wine to its apex in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a wine with a big spine that’s capable of developing for years in the cellar.

We’ll also be tasting a few rich and aromatic Côtes du Rhône and Vacqueryas white blends. Roussanne and Marsanne grapes are capable of creating distinct whites full of ripe fruit and spice that will pair well with a variety of dishes well beyond fish.

The Southern Rhône is a magical place. Culturally, we are already in Provence, a land of lavender and old songs. Vines lie baking on a sweeping tumble of broad terraces beneath villages of ancient glory. These are wines ideal to temporarily sway the cold and gloom of a Michigan winter evening. It is the warmth of southern France in a bottle.

- - -
Posted on 2015.01.16 in France, Saturday Sips Wines, Southern Rhone