The Sun-kissed Rhone

The village of Gordes
www.avignon-et-provence.com

Last month I attended a small, intimate tasting of Rhone wines at the new Maple Leaf Hotel here in downtown Toronto. As a lover of Rhone wines, I was very honoured to have been invited to such an event. When I learned that the famed winemaker, Michel Gassier was also going to be there, well, that was the icing sur le gâteau.

Pont du Gard
www.avignon-et-provence.com

The southern Rhone has such a special place in my heart. I hold many sentimental feelings to this beautiful region from my various past adventures. While everyone gushes over the architecture and art of Paris, my dreams remain south among the vineyards and lavender fields. I still have a few bottles of wine sitting rack which I lugged back with me from my most recent trip. Whenever I wish to re-live my adventures there, I yank out a bottle and savour ever last drop. Pictures really don't do the south of France justice. You really just have to go there to understand the true beauty of it all. The entire region is laced with sunshine, Roman ruins, vineyards, beautiful villages and most importantly, gracious people. I remember walking one morning in a small village just outside of Avignon with some freshly baked croissants only to see some locals sitting on patios with small glasses of rose wine. I found that so civilized!

The natural beauty of the Calanques
www.provence-bnb.villachapelet.com

There is so much to see in this small but diverse region. Centuries of history have left a mark on every corner. While I fully support our local Ontario wine industry, I do posses a love-affair with the Rhone wines. You could say that I often cheat on Ontario with the Rhone. Shh...

The wines are warm, welcoming and come in a array of price ranges. If you're looking for an every day red to pop open on a Tuesday night or something a bit more expensive as a gift, this region can supply. If you're looking for an enjoyable wine for a good price, look no further than the different regions of the Rhone.

As stated on Jancis Robinson's website:

"This is the region of France's most user-friendly wines...Perhaps it's because the southern Rhône is the gateway to, a land of olive trees, cicadas, sunshine and Impressionist summer landscapes." - www.jancisrobbinson.com

Here is map of the Rhone Valley:

www.rhone-wines.com

Quick Facts:

• The Rhone Valley is one region with two parts: Northern and Southern Rhone.
• The Northern Rhone produces less wine than the south and can often command higher prices.
• Main grapes used in the Northern Rhone are Syrah (red) and Viogner (white).
• The reds from the Northern Rhone are often meant for ageing.
• Climate of the Southern Rhone is more Mediterranean.
• Wines in the South are made mostly made as blends with Grenache being often the predominant variety in the reds.
• Tavel is the area in the South that is known for its Rose wines.
• The prevailing Mistral Winds aid in ripening the grapes as well as to thwart disease and rot.
• There are more and more vineyards that are going organic or biodynamic.
• Delicious, reliable wines for great value can often be found!

Sorting Grapes
www.michelgassier.com

The wines from the Rhone Valley are categorized by quality levels. Starting with your basic Cotes du Rhone going all the way to Cru. These categories signify where the fruit is allowed to be sourced from and what kind of restrictions are in place for that fruit, such as minimum ripeness etc. The generic Cotes du Rhone can be from anywhere within the region whereas the fruit for Cru must come a very specific place and has the most strict quality standards.

• Cotes du Rhone
• Fruit can be sourced from any area within the Rhone although most, if not all, comes from the South. This will be your basic regional wine.
• Cotes du Rhone-Villages
• Slightly more restrictive as to where the fruit can come from with further quality controls on the fruit. Village names are not permitted on the label. The fruit can come from many of the allowed villages at this classification.
• Cotes du Rhone-Villages (with village name)
• The fruit can come from one of the designated villages that show slightly higher complexity in their wines. Slightly more restrictions on the production than the Cotes du Rhone-Villages.
• For example: Cotes du Rhone-Village Cairanne. 
• Cru
• From specific villages in both the Northern and Southern Rhone. Wines with this designation face the strictest quality control levels.
• These wines won't have the "Cotes du Rhone" in front of the name. Only the village name. Some villages are Gigondas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras,Vinsobres,Rasteau, Saint-Joseph,Tavel and Hermitage.

Michel Gassier
Winemaker extrodinaire!

I first became acquainted with Michel Gassier over Twitter believe it or not. I had just enjoyed a delicious bottle of his 2007 Chateau De Nages JT Costieres De Nimes. I reviewed it on the popular site www.winealign.com. The review automatically got pushed to Twitter and he re-tweeted me! Not only is he a fantastic wine maker but also very social media savvy. Of course, after that, I "liked" him on Facebook, followed him on Twitter, read his LinkedIn profile, subscribed to his YouTube channel and his blog. Hmm, I can't help but feel like a cyber-stalker. As a perpetual student of wine, I'm very interested in these behind-the-scenes postings that Michel uploads. He discusses all aspects of winemaking from viticultural to the vinification practices he uses. Now you can understand why I was so looking forward to meeting him. I was able to ask many (perhaps too many!) questions face-to-face. His English was superb I must say.

The Arena of Nimes Roman amphitheater
Built around 70 AD
www.avignon-et-provence.com

www.michelgassier.com
www.facebook.com/vignoblesmichelgassier
@MichelGassier

The wines by Michel Gassier come from the region in the southern Rhone, known as Costières de Nîmes. In the map above, the region is located in the bottom left.

"The most southern of the Rhône Valley 
vineyards...The Costières de Nîmes vineyards are the link between two regions that make up the cradle of the wine civilization: 
Provence and the Languedoc." www.costieres-nimes.org

Nimes

Wines tasted

On the website, you can find details about each wine from how it was made to the ideal food pairings.  What really impressed me about the wines by Michel Gassier, was the wonderful acidity found in them since they do come from such a warm climate. It really was a shame to spit during the tasting. What's wrong with a liquid lunch? :)

For detailed tasting notes and other information, click the links below.
Note that the wines on the website may be from different vintages than tasted.

Les Pilers 2010 Viognier

The 2009 was available at the LCBO but it's all sold out!

A delicious Viognier showing acidity with peach and citrus fruit. The 2009 retailed for $15.95 which is a great price for the quality of this wine. Can't wait for the 2010 to come. I just love a good Viognier. A white to look out for.





Lou Coucardie 2010 Red Blend

60% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache and 10% Syrah.
AOC Costières de Nîmes

This wine has personality. It's bold and concentrated with ripe fruit and spicy notes. Good tannins and texture. Decant before serving.


Nostre Pais 2009 Red Blend

35% Grenache Noir, 25% Carignan, 20% Mourvèdre, 15% Cinsault & 5% Syrah
AOC Costières de Nîmes

This was my favourite of the wines tasted. All the wines were fantastic but this one in particular resonated with me. This wine just had a wonderful complexity! There was a beautiful aroma, not much heat, good acidity, fruit and herbal notes. What I loved about this wine was the apparent minerality and freshness. That's what I love about Michel Gassier's wines. They're just so well made and balanced.

A wine video by Michel Gassier...I learn so much from these!

The next series of wines were from the new Dauvergne Ranvier.

Olivier Zorel, who is with the export department, was there to talk about the wines of this joint venture between Francois Dauvergne and Jean-Francois Ranvier.

www.dauvergne-ranvier.com/en

Francois Dauvergne
Jean-Francois Ranvier
www.dauvergne-ranvier.com

Dauvergne Ranvier
Gigondas 2007

"With no vines, no cellar and not a lot of money, how do you create a winery? It’s from this question was born a unique savoir-faire explains François Dauvergne: As we had no vines but we wanted to create our own wines, we had to establish strong relationships with winegrowers in the Rhône Valley. In exchange for our advice and good compensation, we select the best plots of vines which the growers then work for us following our guidelines. " www.dauvergne-ranvier.com

Dauvergne Ranvier
Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Dauvergne-Ranvier has a very large portfolio with wines representing much of the Rhone Valley: www.dauvergne-ranvier.com/en/30_1.cfm?f=56-our-wines

The three photos of wines here are available at the LCBO. I'm happy about that because I can give these wines a nice home in my wine rack.

Wines tasted (click on the link to read critic's tasting notes):

Dauvergne Ranvier
Vacqueyras 2009

2010 Dauvergne-Ranvier Luberon Red
2009 Dauvergne-Ranvier Vacqueyras
2009 Dauvergne-Ranvier Saint-Joseph
2009 Dauvergne-Ranvier Crozes-Hermitage

I enjoyed all of the Dauvergne-Ranvier wines tasted. The Luberon will retail for perhaps $12. It's a fruity, easy drinking wine that is made with Syrah and Grenache. For the money, this wine will go over well.

What a fabulous way to spend my lunch. I really wanted to practice some of my French but I was too shy. Instead, I just sat back and admired the accents. For more information about the event, here is a post by Tim Appelt of www.winediscovery.ca:

www.winediscovery.ca/HtmlTastingEvents/HTMLTasting2012/TE_Rhone_Feb7_2012.html

Thank you to the wonderful people of Sopexa for inviting me to this tasting and for promoting this amazing region!  www.sopexa.com

If you ever have a chance to go to the Rhone, don't pass it up. You won't be disappointed. From the sights to the wine, there's something for everyone. Hopefully I'll be there sometime this year...Michel Gassier and folks at Dauvergne-Ranvier - I hope to be knocking on your doors for some more great wine! :)

To learn more about the wines of the Rhone:
www.rhone-wines.com
www.vins-france.com

Be mine...you lovely wine!

Happy Valentine's Day from me to all of you! May your day be filled with wine-y goodness! I thought I'd take this moment to post some delicious finds for you this week. This recent Vintages release featured some yummy wines for the money. I think there's something for every taste here.

This Vintages LCBO release featured California Cabs. This wine is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot with some Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.   This wine showed ripe blueberry, chocolate, plum and violet. It's dry with soft, integrated tannins. It's a bit hot on the finish but other than that, it's well-balanced. At this price point, there is a lot to savour!

Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 $24.95
Sonoma County USA

I wanted to try something different and I found it with this one. I'm a huge fan of Greek wines. This grape variety is called Moschofilero. Not too high in alcohol, it's dry, very aromatic with lively lemon zest. It's tart with a good finish. I liked it!

Tselepos Moschofilero Mantinia 2010 $16.95
Greece


This lovely Shiraz had a great deep purple colour. It was spicy with lots of berry and licorice with slight vegetative flavours. It had great structure with nothing really jumping out to overpower along with a long delicious finish. I'm not one to normally drink Australian Shiraz but I would drink this one. I trust the wines from Plunkett Fowles. Not only is the quality there but it comes at an affordable price.

Plunkett Fowles Stone Dwellers Shiraz 2008 $19.95
Victoria, Australia

I'm in love! This Tempranillo will surely lure you into the boudoir this Valentine's Day. With it's silky sultry smoothness, it's a typical Rioja. Wonderful nose with vanilla, chocolate and sweet ripe fruit. It's medium bodied so don't expect a macho-macho wine.

Finca Nueva Reserva 2004 $19.95
Rioja, Spain

I have some excellent news to share with you! Remember that tasting challenge that I participated in just before the holidays?

www.theyummygrape.com/2011/11/tasting-blindly-through-sea-of-wine.html

I came in 3rd place in the Amateur division! How about that. I didn't think I did well at all. It was a tough competition. Time to practice for next year! The award ceremony will be April 17th at the oh-so- cool 99 Sudbury. Looking forward to it!

Dinner with South Africa

www.spiceroute.ca

Last month I attended a small tasting event hosted by WineAlign and RKW Wine Imports. Located at the trendy Spice Route on King Steet, this intimate tasting featured the wines of Charles Baker, a pioneer of the South African wine industry.

On a cold day in the middle of winter, I couldn't think of a better way to spend an otherwise drab Tuesday evening. The evening highlighted five wines from the three properties of Charles Baker: Goats Do Roam, Spice Route and Fairview.

Table is set for a great night

I was excited to try the wines and to meet the recognized winemaker. I was also looking forward to listening to that South African accent! South Africa looks like such a picturesque place to visit.  Located on the trading route with the East, the region has been colonized by many throughout history. Ships would stop in South Africa to replenish supplies which often included fortified wines. With the influence of the Dutch, English and French, it is rich with history, culture and of course, wine. The wines are often a good value but sadly, overlooked by many. I should feature more of them on the blog.  One thing that was very apparent throughout the evening was that South Africans have both pride and passion when it comes to their wines.

Charles Back and
myself

Charles told us some funny stories about his goats at Goats Do Roam and how they chose what grape varieties would be in the final blends by what grapes they preferred to eat. Those super tasters! He also told us how he with many others protested at the French Embassy when the French government was trying to sue him over the titles of the wines. One example being "Goats do Roam". Get it? Cote du Rhone - Goats du Roam? I wonder if goats were included in the protest. Needless to say, his stories had us laughing the entire evening.

Goats are awesome

Other funny wine labels that are a bit close to their French counterparts:

Bord Doe (as in Bordeaux)
Goat Door (like in Cote d'Or Burgundy)
Goat-Roti (similar to the famous Rhone appellation of Cote Rotie)

Ok, I can see how the French would be a bit perturbed but really, I think it's playful and ultimately a sign of flattery to these classic regions.  I love the hommage to the Godfather with ...wait for it...The Goatfather. Classic!

www.spiceroutewines.co.za

Wow...look at that view!

The food and wine pairings for the evening. Prepare to salivate...

Wasabi-Crusted Shrimp

Goats do Roam
White

2011 Goats Do Roam White $11.95

I just love the label. This wine is a no-fuss sipper. A blend of Vigonier, Roussane and Grenache Blanc. Good value.

Togarashi Crusted Rare Tun

2010 Spice Route Sauvignon Blanc $14.95

Spice Route
Sauvignon Blanc

Lovely Sauvignon Blanc. I don't know why I was expecting a Sauvignon Blanc with grassy notes, much like a typical one we've come to associate with New Zealand. This wine had citrus flavours such as grapefruit along with wonderful acidity. Good body and length. Another bang for your buck!

Crisp Tempura Calamari

"Spice Route Sauvignon Blanc is grown on the cool rolling hills outside Darling, on the Cape west coast. These trellised Atlantic vineyards are on deep red oakleaf soils, and are amongst the finest Sauvignon Blanc vineyards in South Africa. " - www.spiceroutewines.co.za

"Darling is increasingly regarded as a prime Sauvignon Blanc growing area in the Western Cape. Spice Route’s vineyards on the rolling hills outside this sleepy town are less than 8km from the Atlantic Ocean and its cooling breezes are instantly apparent if one visits the site." - www.spiceroutewines.co.za

Viet Lamb Chop 

Goats do Roam
 Red

2011 Goats Do Roam Red $12.95

Made with classic Rhone varietals which include Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre. Lots of ripe juicy fruit. A hint of spice with smooth tannins. A good burger wine.

Kobe Beef Burger

Fairview Pinotage

2009 Fairview Pinotage $14.95

What is Pinotage?
This is a grape that is unique to South Africa. It's a cross (having two different parent varietals) between the warmer-climate Cinsault grape and the cooler-climate Pinot Noir. I sometimes  find this grape variety to be a hit or miss.  The Fairview was enjoyable.  With ripe black fruit, spice and hints of coffee (I'd like a slim mocha frap please!), it paired well with the Kobe Beef burger.

Spice Route Shiraz

Sorry, no picture of the food! No room left on my phone. Oops.
Note to self, clean up my phone once in a while.

The food paring was Peking Duck.

2009 Spice Route Shiraz $24.95

This was my favourite red of the night. It had such enjoyable fruit, spice and above all, good acidity that helped tie everything together into a well balanced wine.

Charles Back talking about his goats at Goats do Roam

In the current Vintages release (January 21) you can find the Spice Route Chenin Blanc. Give it a try. The highlights from this tasting, for me, were the Sauvignon Blanc and the Shiraz. I think these two varietals express themselves very nicely in the cooler areas of South Africa.  Thanks to WineAlign and RKW Imports for holding such a fun tasting. Looking forward to the next one. I've included a promotional video on South African wine for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

For more information about the wines of Charles Back:
www.fairview.co.za
www.spiceroutewines.co.za
www.goatsdoroam.com

Check out the WineAlign community!
It's a wonderful resource for wines available at the LCBO, right at your fingertips.
www.winealign.com