WBW #19 When in Rhone
WBW#19 When in Rhone, March 8,2006
Yes, you read that right, it’s time for the 19th Wine Blogging Wednesday to be held on Wednesday, March 8,2006. Wine Blogging Wednesday is the global monthly virtual tasting event founded by Lenn of Lenndevours where wine bloggers follow a theme for wine tasting, post their findings on their blog on the chosen day, with a round-up posted by the lucky host of the event shortly thereafter. I’m excited to be hosting, and hope you enjoy the theme.
There’s nothing quite like the noble grape varietals that have established themselves in France’s Rhone region. These grapes are distinct, yet have familiar characteristics to varietals that get more press and are coveted by collectors. Although wines from the Rhone don’t command the high prices that certain popular varietals are fetching right now, they certainly aren’t short on flavor or complexity. For the reds, dark fruit and spice are common flavor attributes, the whites showcase tropical fruit and floral notes.
This month’s Wine Blogging Wednesday theme “When in Rhone” aims to help us become acquainted with these varietals that are being used all over the world. Winemakers have decided to ‘do as the Rhonins do’ and transport and clone the varietals in rich soils from Australia and New Zealand to the warm central coast of California, and the vines are adapting quite nicely. Consumers are becoming aware of the high caliber wines crafted from these distinct grapes in areas other than the Rhone. Events like the Rhone Rangers, and Hospice du Rhone are continuing to gain recognition and popularity as they showcase the latest efforts by the winemakers focusing on these varietals.
Now, you’ve most likely had a Shiraz or Syrah, or by now Viognier, but it’s time to go a little deeper if you haven’t already. Blends showcase the best traits of each varietal, and offer amazing complexity and supple texture. You’re not limited to white or red, but let’s focus on getting a blend, unless you find a rare varietal on it’s own, that would also make for an interesting review. Both of the sites mentioned above have extensive lists of California Winery’s that produce or specialize in these wines, but you aren’t limited to any region in the world, including the motherland.
Here is a list of all 22 varietals associated with the Rhone. For more information visit the Hospice du Rhone page where this was taken from for pronunciation and flavor profiles on all these different grapes. (Good luck tracking some of these down.)
Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris, Syrah/Shiraz, Viognier, Mourvedre, Roussanne, Carignane Noir, Marsanne, Cinsault Noir, Ugni Blanc, Muscardin, Picpoul Blanc, Picpoul Noir, Bourboulenc, Camarese, Clairette Blanc, Vaccarese, Grenache Blanc, Terret Noir, Muscat a Petits Grains, Clairette Rose, Counoise Noir
I’ll be posting the round-up as soon as I can after the 8th. I’m looking forward to seeing some old world and new world notes from everyone, so have fun making your choices.
Cheers!
Jathan
Winexpression.com
Email your entry to me at winexpression@gmail.com
February 13th, 2006 at 10:39 am
Wine Blogging Wednesday #19 Announced — When In Rhone……
Du you Rhone? Whether you do or not, join food and wine bloggers the world over with the latest vintage of Wine Blogging Wednesday, hosted by Jathan, founder of the newly re-designed Winexpression.com. For this, the 19th edition of WBW,…
February 13th, 2006 at 6:38 pm
This will be fun! So many wines, so little time!
February 13th, 2006 at 8:59 pm
Jathan,
You’ve got some code showing….
Look forward to drinking.
February 14th, 2006 at 7:16 am
[…] For the March 2006 edition of Wine Blogging Wednesday, the 19th in the series and my 2nd, Jathan at Winexpression.com has suggested the topic of Rhone-style wines. This topic gets back to the pure tasting roots of WBW, after last month’s diversion to wine shops that feel the love. Time to do some research… […]
February 14th, 2006 at 10:43 am
Jens,
I figured I’d leave it somewhat open since I didn’t want anyone to be excluded. Can’t wait to see what you guys come up with!
Alder,
Darn Kilt, (I am part scottish) I hate it when that happens. Thanks for the heads up.
February 14th, 2006 at 2:39 pm
[…] The theme for March’s Wine Blogging Wednesday has been posted by Jathan over at the recently remodeled Winexpression blog. Next time out, the 19th in the series of monthly wine blogging goodness, Jathan has chosen the varietals of France’s Rhone region for his “When in Rhone†theme. Although we are not limited to wines made in France from the more than 20 varietals grown in the region, I’ll be choosing a blend and maybe another obscure unblended varetial from the Rhone. Looks like another trip to Solo Vino is in order over the next couple of weeks. […]
February 22nd, 2006 at 5:12 pm
Rhone Wine/Grape Definitions
The French government recognizes 21 or 22 (depending on what source you reference) different grape varieties in the Rhone Valley. It doesn’t matter that much, since only a handful of these varieties are grown in significant quantities anywhere in the world. The principal white varieties recognized by the French are marsanne, roussanne and viognier and the reds include carignane, cinsault, counoise, grenache, mourvedre and syrah. The Rhone Rangers have adopted these varieties (even though some are not grown in the United States, as well as a French originated cross, durif (petite sirah). For a wine to be considered a “Rhone Ranger†wine, it must contain at least 75% of the accepted varieties. The following include definitions for the majority of these grapes and the wines they produce.
Quote from RRs
February 22nd, 2006 at 5:22 pm
ooops!
hit the button to fast–here’s the rest–sorry:
WHITEs:
Bourboulenc
Clairette Blanc
Grenache Blanc
Marsanne
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Picardin
Picpoul/Piquepoul Blanc
Roussanne
Ugni Blanc
Viognier
Classic White Blends:
The marsanne-roussanne combination is a Southern French staple – the former for body, the latter for aroma, finesse and aging capacity. In the Rhone, Viognier is not traditionally blended with other white grapes, but small amounts are sometimes added to reds and roses to inject an elusive note into the nose. In America, however, vintners have found Viognier to enhance many white wine blends and it is not unusual today to find it included in Rhone-style blends or even Sauvignon Blanc labeled wines.
REDs:
Carignan (Carignane)
Cinsault (Cinsaut)
Counoise
Grenache
Mourvedre (Mataro)
Muscardin
Syrah (Shiraz)
Petite Sirah (Durif)
Picpoul Noir
Terret Noir
Vaccarèse
Classic Red Blends
Red Rhone grapes were born to blend – the exception here is almost NOT to blend them. Even syrah, the leader of the pack, is as likely to be blended as bottled as a single varietal. Hundreds of years of experimentation with these grapes have produced a few standard variations on the blending theme. (And in the U.S., of course, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah often qualify as “honorary†blending grapes with the traditional Rhone varieties.)
Probably the three most common strategies are:
(1) The Chateauneuf model: Start with about half Grenache, add in a good proportion of Syrah and / or Mourvedre for oomph and aging, and round out the complexity with an amazing array of other red and even white grapes.
(2) The hot-weather model: Various proportions of Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan, designed to produce early-drinking wines.
(3) The down under model: Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, in various proportions.
March 1st, 2006 at 10:30 am
[…] Here’s the original announcement post. […]
March 1st, 2006 at 10:40 am
Fortna,
I’m glad someone commented about this. Good information from the RR.
Thanks
March 1st, 2006 at 1:09 pm
Wine Blogging Wednesday…
Winzerblog ist dabei!!
Der Wine Blogging Wednesday ist global, darum ausnahmsweise in dieser Rubrik ab sofort nur noch in Englisch.
Since beginning blogging I’ve been looking to the english-writing-blogs and got jaelous, of course there are such …
March 8th, 2006 at 12:47 am
[…] So when Jathan of winexpression.com announced this months theme, “When in Rhone” and the list of varietals associated with the Rhone, I went straight to the lastest copy Cuisine. South Australia’s d’Arenberg The Stump Jump 2004 ‘jumped out’ (yes, I hear you all groan!), so off to the store I went. Described as a “Well worth discovering Rhone Valley-style blend of Grenache (50%), Shiraz and Mourvèdre” and given 4 stars. We paid NZ$17 at the local New World, and took the following notes. […]
March 8th, 2006 at 5:31 pm
WBW #19: Curtis Winery 2000 Hertiage Cuvee…
Wine Blogging Wednesday just keeps rolling along, doesn’t it? It just can’t be stopped — but then again, who would want to stop such a fun and educational event? This month’s vintage, brought to us by Winexpression’s Jathan, focuses on…
March 8th, 2006 at 7:30 pm
[…] Well, Wednesday’s have become regular teaching nights for me, so vino is out until about this time of night. As much as I would love to pop the corks on the two Rhone blends - from mostly obscure varietals as per Jathan’s suggestion - I will take a rain check until tomorrow. So it will be Wine Blogging Thursday once again for me, but I will produce companion podcast. Next month, I’ll do my post on Tuesday […]
March 8th, 2006 at 8:35 pm
Ra Rhô Raggy! I almost forgot today was WBW19
March 8th, 2006 at 9:44 pm
Hewitson “Miss Harry” GSM 2004…
Wine Blogging Wednesday is with us once again! This month the event is hosted by Jathan from Winexpression, who has chosen the topic “When in Rhone”. I went in search of an aussie wine which was made from grapes that are traditionally grow…
March 9th, 2006 at 6:21 pm
[…] This month’s theme for Wine Blogging Wednesday, our monthly, global wine tasting event, is provided by Jathan from the Winexpression blog. He encouraged us to find wines made from Rhône varietals no matter where in the world they came from for his “When in Rhône” theme. Listed in his announcement were some 22 varietals common to France’s Rhône Valley, known for their blends of mostly red, and occasionally, white wines. Outside of relative well known varietals such as Syrah, Grenache and increasingly Viognier, most of the other 20 are rare outside the region. […]
August 31st, 2006 at 8:56 am
[…] For those readers who aren’t familiar with the world of Wine Blogging Wednesday, it’s pretty simple. Once a month, a theme is chosen, and wine bloggers from across the world post on the theme. This month’s theme is “When in Rhoneâ€, and is being hosted by the excellent Winexpression site. Wine bloggers across the world are challenged to find a Rhone-style blend from somewhere in the world. Considering that there are 22 approved grape varieties in the Rhone Valley, that leaves things pretty open. […]
October 20th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
[…] On Wednesday, March 8, winefoolery will participate in it’s first Wine Blogging Wednesday. Lenn of Lenndevours started this event wherein wine bloggers from around the world participate in a virtual group tasting. Each month a different blog hosts the event, chooses the theme and posts a compilation of all the bloggers tasting notes. The theme for March, as chosen by Jathan of winexpression.com is “When in Rhone” which pleases me greatly as that’s one of my favorite appellations! The timing is a little off because I was planning on sampling a couple of Rhones this weekend but I guess I won’t mind searching out another new one in a few weeks. […]
November 1st, 2006 at 4:09 pm
Great input! Especially from Fortna who seems to have it all together regarding Rhone wine. Thanks for the info.
November 29th, 2006 at 12:57 am
The Rhone Rangers have adopted these varieties (even though some are not grown in the United States, as well as a French originated cross, durif (petite sirah)., I went straight to the latest copy Cuisine. South Australia’s d’Arenberg The Stump Jump 2004 ‘jumped out’
Lisa
January 26th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
[…] This is actually a great theme, one that Tim and I seem to see eye to eye on. Rhone wines are amazing, and the New World versions of these wines pay their respects, while offering their own slant on the unique French versions. If you love Syrah or Shiraz, this is a great time to pick up a bottle to enjoy during a cold night. In fact, If any of you dear readers would like to contribute, but don’t have a blog, just put your comments in my WBW#30 Syrah post on February 7th, or email me and we’ll include you in the round-up (the more the merrier!). […]
March 15th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
[…] turns out that he had been moved to the next room. Phew. So in the spirit of Jathan’s Wine Blogging Wednesday #19 entitled “when in Rhone” I post a couple of notes from these incredible Chateauneuf du […]