The Rhone Valley in Eastern
France is known for what we in American call Rhone grape varieties: Syrah,
Grenache, Viognier, Marsanne, and a few others. The Beauty of these wines is
that they typically are restrained, yet floral, subtle, earthy exhibiting less
potent berry fruits than say, Cabernet from Napa, and have higher acidity,
meaning they work well as food wines. Two versions, specific to the Southern
part of the Rhone Valley, recently caught my eye, and they are immensely good
quality considering the price tag.
The Cotes du Rhone Villages
Puymeras Rouge ($18) is comprised of mainly Grenache with 20% Syrah and 10%
Carignan. The lighter berry notes are clearly evident – raspberry, black cherry
and boysenberry, but beyond that - and typical of Rhone wines - there is an
earthiness of cedar and wet earth, black licorice, light pomegranate, but still
juicyfruit without being candied.
The Cotes du Rhone Reserve Blanc
($12) is made up of mainly Grenache along with 15% Marsanne, 10% Clairette and
10% Viognier. There are light tropical notes, lemon zest, a nearly vibrant
peach note and back notes of honeysuckle and slight butter toffee, though this
is not a sweet wine, but it hints at it, though offers mainly bright summer fruit.
Widely available here in the
U.S. I highly recommend one or both, not only as a deviation from the norm, but
a surprise for quality in your glass.
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