Varietally speaking III the Rhone
As part of an on-going occasional series about the more than 500 different grape varietals grown around the world for use in wine production, here is a rundown of some of the grapes that grow well in our local Northwest appellation that originated in the Rhone Valley of France. As previously written about Bordeaux grapes, in their native France many times these varieties are blended together into wines labeled as Côtes du Rhône, Châteauneuf du Pape or Gigondas.
The most commonly used grape from the Rhone and most widely known to consumers is Syrah. Unrelated to Petite Sirah, Syrah is known for a signature aromatic that wine folks describe as “bacon fat,” when smelling the wine in the glass you may pick up this note as a smoky maple aromatic. This aroma though is natural for Syrah and while it can be enhanced to some degree based on the oak barreling program used, you can rest assured regarding cholesterol levels no bacon fat is added to create this aroma we find so appealing.
Outside of this signature scent Syrah also shows wonderful fruit notes most typically focused on dark berries and ripe cherries. The wine produced from Syrah also follows with similar palate flavors and pairs exceptionally well with lamb but will also do great with pork.
One of the fast growing grapes in popularity from the Rhone is Grenache. Grenache is a lighter bodied varietal than Syrah and most of the other Rhone grapes. Due to its light body and higher acid the wine pairs well with most foods from grilled fish to chicken, duck and some red meats too. The wine made from the Grenache grape does not possess the “meaty” character of Syrah and is dominated by fruit notes both on the nose and palate, focused on ripe cherry flavors and at times strawberry. The grape does well in the valleys of Washington state and Southern Idaho, and while somewhat sparsely planted now is growing in popularity.
Mouvédre is another of the more hearty red varietals native to the Rhone valley in France. Its thick skins and hearty character give it the stamina to do well in the warm appellations of the Northwest. Due to its heft on its own, Mouvédre is used as a blending grape with Syrah and Grenache in a riper vintage though it is bottled on its own by such notable producers as Bunnell Family Cellars out of Prosser, Wash., Coeur d’Alene Cellars and a few others. The wine is rich and very aromatic, typically exhibiting scent of earth and dark berries which follow through to the palate. With all of the tannins present in the thick skins the wine finishes with complexity and plenty of structure and is quite age worthy.
Many of the remaining red grape varietals native to this area are lesser known and almost exclusively used in blends. Cinsault, Counoise, Muscardin and Terret Noir are almost never seen on their own, and represent a very small percentage of grapes grown in our nearby appellations. Most times these blending grapes are used to add structure and color to the wine without contributing to the flavor profiles.
It would be an error not to mention the most popular blend bottled here in the U.S. which is GSM or Grenache, Syrah and Mouvédre. Referred to as Côtes du Rhône in France and also the three main red grapes in Châteauneuf du Pape, this combination is lovely and most times light to medium bodied making it perfect with food and also a great wine for spring and summer. Like its component varietals the wine is highlighted by berry and cherry notes on the palate. Depending on the amount of Syrah used in the blend it can also show some earthy and meat notes as well.
Next time you see Rhone wines on a wine list give them a try especially if you are fond of the similar wines produced here in the appellations of Washington and Idaho. Also stop by the shop and ask us or your favorite wine professional about these wines produced from the Rhone appellation that also do well here for a fun and delicious introduction to new tastes, from varietals that date back to the fifth century and beyond.
If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d’Alene Press.
George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party — a wine and table top décor shop in Coeur d’Alene by Costco. George is also the managing judge of The North Idaho Wine Rodeo, and writes frequently for the online version of Coeur d’Alene magazine at www.cdamagazine.com. His articles can also be found on the blog at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com.