WINO 101

Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

Now onto some more of my favorite wines in the world! The French Rhone! Throwing together a tasting of these fine gems could almost be done blindly, since there are so many great Rhone wines out there. Although the focus here is on the Cotes du Rhones, and the Villages, I couldn’t help visiting some of my favorite regions within the Rhone: Chateauneuf du Pape and Gigondas. I don’t think I’ve ever found a Chateauneuf that I din’t like, and I really haven’t had very many Gigondas, but loved every one.  For this tasting, I thought I might do something a little different and try a WHITE Chateauneuf.

As for the educational aspect of the newsletter, the Rhone region has 23 different grape varieties available to be used in any one wine, in any different combination. Some grapes are white and some are red. The white wine styles use the same grapes as for the red. Chateauneuf du Pape has allowed only 13 different grapes into its blend, and again, in any different combination. This makes for quite a variation in styles all over the map. And all tasty. Certainly a good answer to the blah weather here in Portland. I think I’ll have some wine and take a little nap.

Now as an extra bonus for this tasting, and something I’ve been thinking about doing for some time, is adding a “Sweet Pour”. I thought, since every region has their own desert wine, and since they tend to be a bit too far off the map to include in the regular tasting, A Super Sweet Bonus Premium Bonus Thingy might be in order for a little dessert with your flight. This week, I’m adding the Muscat de Beaumes de Venice, the best known Rhone sweet wine, if not the only one. There’s also a screwcap wine in the collection here that I just had to add to show that even the French are starting to use them too. Viva la Revolution!

So Friday, June 11th, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

Rhone, Rhone, Rhone Your Boat!
Saint Cosme 2001 Cotes du Rhone Blanc
La Vielle Ferme 2002 Costieres de Nimes
Cave de Cairanne 2001 Cotes du Rhone Villages, Cairanne “La Laune”
La Font du Vent 2002 Cotes du Rhone
Domaine de Durban 2000 Cotes du Rhone Villages, Beaumes de Venice

The Extra-Special Premium Pours:
Vieux Mas des Papes 2002 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc
Domaine de Cassan 2001 Gigondas

The Super-Special Dessert Pour:
Domaine Beaumairic 2002 Muscat Beaume de Venice

A good deal at $10 for the first 5, and $6 for the Extra 2 Premium Pours.
Also, $4 for the Super-Special Sweet Bonus pour!
Hope to see you here!
Seize the Wine!

Next week is Summer Whites!
M