There is more to Wine than Cabernet and Chardonnay

Consider “Rhone Style” Reds and Whites

If you have been reading any of my stuff for the last 18 months, you have noted that I have tried to encourage your exploration of wines other than just Cabernet Sauvignon Red and Chardonnay White.

Among the wines that I have strongly suggested are the red wines of the Southern Rhone district for both excellent quality and attractive pricing. These wines are made mostly from the Syrah (Shiraz) and Grenache grapes in France. The top of the line Southern Rhone Chateauneuf du Pape made from these grapes can be found priced from $20 on up.

Very fine wines can be found in the $30 category with names like Mont Redon and Vieux Donjon.

Cotes du Rhone Villages is a slight step down and can be found priced in the $12 to $20 category. Finally simple Cotes du Rhone and Gigondas are available for under $10. Due to the increased interest in these wines, they are readily available in this country. Popular names on most shelves are Guigal and Perrin. They can be found in ’98 and ’99 vintages and offer good value in all three categories. If you want to be sure that you get a worthwhile product, you probably would be better off going to your local wine specialist and enlisting his help. He will steer you to a wine that will offer good value at a low cost.  

It will be worthwhile for you to seek some of these Southern Rhones so that you can better understand what is now happening in other parts of the world with this wine. 

You see, the vintners of The United States and Australia have recognized the interest brewing in the Rhone style and both countries have increased acreage primarily of Shiraz. Since 1991 plantings of Shiraz in California have increased by 25 times and it is now the 5th most planted red grape closing in on Pinot Noir for 4th place.

These domestic Rhone style reds have a distinctive, different and complex flavor. They are described as muscular, earthy, and meaty and are said to have overtones of white and red pepper. In fact The Joseph Phelps winery which has been a pioneer in the Rhone style for years considered it a major breakthrough when they were finally able to produce a wine that had that elusive “white pepper” aroma. Many other highly regarded and well known labels are now offering Rhone styles

Phelps, a widely respected name in Napa is producing at least 4 Rhone styles. Their recent bottling of Napa Valley Syrah come very close to a fine Chateauneuf du Pape and at $35 is an outstanding value in a fine wine. Ridge offers an excellent  ’98 or ’99 Dry Creek Valley Lytton Syrah for $28.














Joseph Phelps

J. Lohr has produced a ’98 and ’99 Syrah Paso Robles South Ridge Syrah at the very attractive price of $15 while Hess Select offers a California Syrah for $13.

Finally there are the Shiraz’ of Australia. They have been making these Southern Rhone styles for a long time and because of the continued strength of the dollar against their currency, excellent wine is being offered in the $10 range. The usual names you should look for are Rosemount, Lindeman, Wolf Blass and Penfolds.
 
A wonderful idea for an inexpensive blind wine tasting international event would be to get a bottle of Southern Rhone style wine from France, the United States and Australia, all in a similar price category. and test your palate. It might produce some remarkable results.