One of the perks of writing this column is a regular stream of invitations to wine tastings.
In September I attended a blind tasting of a dozen Rhone wines from France under the expert guidance of sommelier Michelle Bouffard.
Also at the tasting was Laura Vaissermann, spokesperson for Rhone Valley Wine, the second-largest vineyard in France.
“There is good awareness of the quality of this appellation. The blending from the southern Rhone are very versatile, Vaissermann stated. “They go well with lots of foods, it’s easy to enjoy. We talk about affordable blends, it’s not only a price question, but it’s also a taste question. It’s easy to appreciate and enjoy these wines.
“Even the millennials, the newcomers to these wines, even if you are not so knowledgeable, you can enjoy these wines. And you know it will pair with simple foods. It goes well with simple occasions. You don’t have to wait until a wedding. You can go to the northern Rhone cru. These are expensive wines for a more formal event. On a general basis, the Rhone wines are easy going.”
For example, there’s an easy-to-enjoy white, the 2014 Chateau Mourgues de Galets Dorés ($28.99). It’s from the Cotières de Nîmes and is produced from five different varieties: Roussanne, Vermentino, Grenache, a touch of Marsanne and Clairette. Pour a glass and with its gleaming golden yellow colour, it’s love at first sight!
Like many Rhone whites, it has a gorgeous floral bouquet. The flavour is complex with delicious rich notes of honeysuckle, quince, citrus and pear, plus minerality. Silky and smooth. Enjoy with clam chowder, bouillabaisse, or pasta with prawns and chorizo. Available at Liberty Wine Merchants throughout Vancouver.
Most Rhone wines, however, are red. In the north, the only red grape permitted in the top regions or crus is Syrah aka Shiraz. The 2014 organic Chapoutier Les Meysonniers Crozes Hermitage ($26.49) is an elegant Syrah made from 25 year old vines with a fruity and floral bouquet. The flavour has the black pepper spice characteristic of Rhone Syrahs.
There is good acid plus a savouriness to the rich prune fruit. It has soft tannins and finishes on a crescendo.
From the southern Rhone comes the 2015 La Domelière Rasteau ($21.99).
Made from 40-year-old vines, it’s is a blend of three varietals. The Grenache is the base of the wine and adds freshness and red fruits such as strawberry and cherry.
The Syrah adds darker colour, and black cherry and blackberry character, while the Mourvèdre adds more tannin for aging and hints of gaminess and licorice.
Our final Rhone red is the Chateau Pesquié 2014 Terrasses ($18.99) from the Ventoux region, in the foothills of the Alps.
It has been one of my favourites for more than a decade and in 2015 was one of Wine Spectators Top 100 wines.
Chateau Pesquié is a voluptuous blend of Syrah and Grenache with spicy overtones to the red fruit: cinnamon and cloves.
The flavour is rich with cherry and plum fruit and a hint of the garrigue, wild herbs such as lavender and thyme.
All of today’s reds are available at government stores.
Enjoy with chicken tagine, lamb osso buco, ratatouille, or manchego cheese.
Eric Hanson is a retired teacher and wine educator
