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Rhône Wines
The Rhône Valley looks very much like a miniature Italy
as it stretches 200km (125 mi) from south of Lyon to just south of Avignon.
Along this course the climate varies from the Rhone's cold winters and warm
summers to the classic Mediterranean where winters are mild and summers hot.
The relatively more constant sun combines with granitic soil in the north,
limestone in the south to produce Grenache, Syrah and Carignan used in red
wines, and Clairette, Ugni Blanc and Grenache Blanc for whites.
The Grenache dominates with 55 percent of the total red-making grape, the
Clairette making up 35 percent of white. Combined 8-10 thousand winemakers,
spread over an enormous 170,000 acres, produce 450 million bottles, 75 percent
of which is devoted to the northern full-bodied of Côte Rôtie and the southern
fruity reds of Châteauneuf du Pape.
One village in particular, Chartreuse de Valbonne, enjoys a very different
climate from that of the surrounding Mediterranean. Enfolded by forest atop
horseshoe-shaped hills, there are numberless terraces composed of stony chalk
and limestone. Some barrels of the area date back to the 13th century. Here are
made plump Grenache Noir, spicy Syrah and Viognier Plump with aromas of violet
and acacia honey.
Considered among the best of the Côtes du Rhône villages are the distinctive
Cairanne and Rasteau. Rasteau's tannic Domaine du Trapadis will be preferred by
those seeking a more zesty wine, while Cairanne's softer Domaine Catherine Le
Goeuil —made with techniques handed down from the Middle Ages— is appreciated by
the easy-going.
From the 11,000 acres of the Côtes du Rhône villages clay and stony limestone
earth rise Grenache and Syrah grapes that produce 19 million bottles of medium
body fruity reds.
The history of Gigondas wine traces back to the Romans, where good advantage is
taken of the Mediterranean weather and the red clay soil to produce an aromatic
alternative to the more expensive Châteauneuf du Pape. On 3,000 acres vintners
produce the Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre that go to make 5.5 million bottles.
For those whose tongue needs a little shock of pleasure seek out the Vignobles
Darriaud's Grenache Syrah, a full-bodied red with earthy and plummy aromas.
Chocolate tones combine with a peppery finish, especially after aging for 3-5
years.
Best for last, the slope of Châteauneuf du Pape, lying between Orange and
Avignon, was once the summer home of many Popes. The wine is thick, powerful and
a richly colored red made from Grenache, Syrah, Clairette and ten other
varieties. On these 7,600 acres of quartz and sandy red clay grow the vines that
produce 13 million bottles that can age up to 20 years with aromas of red
fruits, cinnamon and vanilla.
But, who among us could wait that long?
© 2006 Winelovers2.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved. See
www.winelovers2.com
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"Château Latour director Frederic Engerer has invested in his own wine property in the Rhone Valley."
"Cotes du Rhone is one of the most misunderstood names in wine. Although it is a name often attached to the entire Rhone Valley, it is more commonly known as a simple wine distinct from the more complex wines of the northern Rhone Valley. We find ourselves trying more and more Cotes du
Rhones because of their value — they are among the most underpriced wines in France."
'A single case of the famed 1961 Hermitage La Chapelle set a world auction record for a case of wine from the Rhone, illustrating the continued ascent of Rhone in the international wine markets', said Chris Munro, Christie's director of wine.
Tradition tangles with innovation in southern France.
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Côtes du Rhône
Villages wine has the quality and reasonable prices needed to be hugely
successful, but not enough is known about the appellation, as ROGER VOSS
discovers.
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Auguste Clape makes one of the best red wines in the Rhône—and maybe the world.
Is it the rocks
that make châteauneuf-du-pape one of the world’s richest, most complex red wines?
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