WINO 101

Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

Good evening and welcome to another Action-Packed Carpe Vinum Newsletter loaded with Thrills, Chills (like white wines), and Spills (inevitably), and the Tasting Announcement That Goes Along With It. This week were tasting 8 (eight) wines, and one of those with a special purpose (more about that in a moment). But what are they? What’s the Extreme Theme in the Scene this week? It’s the wines of California’s Rhone Rangers!

So what, or who, rather, are the Rhone Rangers? It certainly sounds like a clever name . . . what’s up with these guys? The Rhone Rangers is a wine organization, mostly in California, of wine growers and producers (and some retailers) who grow, sell and love the grape varietals of the French Rhone valley. The Rhone Rangers website states that there are 22 allowable grapes in the French Rhone, and I now shall bore you with the entire list: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Carignan, Petite Sirah, Counoise, Muscardin, Picpoul Noir, Vaccarese, and Terret Noir, (for reds) Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette Blanc, Muscat Blanc ?� Petits Grains, Picardin, Picpoul Blanc, and Ugni Blanc (for whites). For those of you just waking-up after that list, you might want to note that there are only 21 varieties listed there. I’m not sure which grape has gone missing, but in checking another source, that one states there are 23 allowable varietals. Then they go on to list 34 varietals. Whatever. Even I’m bored with all that information now.

At any rate, and for the purpose of this tasting, we’ll be concentrating on the more common of the Rhone varietals, as they’re more easily attainable. These include the ever-popular-powerhouse-of-a-grape Syrah, the mostly-used-in-blending-but-equally-delicious-and-spicy Grenache, the heavy-and-tannic-but-still-romantic Mourvedre, the seldom-found-but-increasingly-prevalent Carignane, and the originally-from-the-Rhone-but-not-grown-there-anymore Petite Sirah (aka Durif).

There are many producers in California, Washington and Oregon that release wines made from these grapes, but not all of these wineries are members of the Rhone Rangers. Just to be a purist about it, I thought I might just choose from the list of member wineries. And as far as the wines go, I also tried to find a good cross-section of the grape varieties and the blends, just to get a good idea of what’s going on. They’re all large and fruity, and some of my favorite everyday-wines in the world.

Now onto the special thing: In the past I’ve had an extra-extra pour to feature a special dessert-y, oddball wine, or fancy-schmancy-perhaps-overpriced pour in addition to the regular 7 (seven) wines featured every week. Well, I’m bringing that back, and with a purpose! From this tasting until the 3rd week of May, all proceeds from the Extra-Extra Pour will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation when I will join my family in Seattle on May 20th for the annual Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Walk. I will also keep a decanter as a drop point for in-shop donations that will also go towards the entire goal. In the coming days and weeks I’ll post more information, as I have it, on the website. My website, that is. Not just any website. But since you need some extra distractions from work, here are some links.

For more information about the Rhone Rangers.
For more information about Cystic Fibrosis
For more information about the Great Strides walk.
For more information about Carpe Vinum.
For more information that may or may not really be true.

So Friday, March 2nd, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

Rhone Rangers!!!
Zaca Mesa 2003 Z Cuvee, Santa Ynez Valley, California
Cline Ancient Vines 2004 Carignane, North Coast, California
Jade Mountain 2004 Mourvedre, Napa Valley, California
True Grit 2004 Petite Sirah, Mendocino, California
Rosenblum 2003 Base Camp Syrah, Santa Barbara County, California

Rhone Rangers! Even Rangier!!
Justin 2004 Estate Syrah, Paso Robles, California
McRea 2004 Grenache, Washington

And the Uber-Special, A-Bit-More-Expensive Pour For CF!!!
Terra Blanca 2001 Syrah, Block 8, Red Mountain, Washington

A stellar deal at $10 for the First 5, $6 for the Extra 2 Premium Pours, and $5 for the Charity Pour.
Hope to see you here!

Seize the Wine!

Next Friday tasting is A Spanish Wine Battle: Rioja vs. Ribera del Duero!

M