What's in a name? A lot of assumptions, it appears. Why? Well, I like the general style of wines from the Rhone Valley, but that doesn't really tell you anything as there is a lot of it, made from quite a wide variety of grapes and bearing a wide range of names.
One of those names always gets a nod of approval from certain of my friends as if it guarantees a level of quality. That name is Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Week L (2015) Domaine de Garrigues, Lirac 2012. Majestic £8.49
The wine producing Rhone region is divided into two halves; the Northern Rhone and (go on, have a guess) the Southern Rhone. It is generally agreed that the North with its steeper slopes, more obviously continental climate and its smaller sub-regions produces the higher quality wine. Much more is produced in the South, where one appellation alone produces more wine annually than the entire output of the North. That appellation? Why, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, of course.
C-du-P allows 18 different grape varieties to appear in the blend. There are a great number of producers, able to select their own preferred wine-making techniques, making a total of 15 million bottles a year.
Just over the river, on the western side, a region less than a quarter of its neighbour's size you can find Lirac, the source of this week's selection. The soil and climate are similar and only five red varieties are permitted. The net result? In my opinion, a more reliable and generally cheaper wine than produced over the river.
It has a nice deep ruby colour and is a fresh, juicy-fruity, wine that isn't jammy and has pleasantly smooth tannins and acid that makes you dribble.
The blend is Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. The rules require at least 40% Grenache, so that means (as the varieties have to be listed in descending order of volume) there must be a majority of Syrah, the star of the Northern Rhone.
It's not hugely complex, but it has enough going on to make it interesting. The alcohol is there, but not too prominent and the finish is long enough to give you time to appreciate what you are drinking without having to rush back for another mouthful.
I am sure that there are many wines from Chateauneuf-du-Pape that warrant my friends' approval, but I would be extremely surprised if you could buy one to equal this Lirac for £8.49.
One of those names always gets a nod of approval from certain of my friends as if it guarantees a level of quality. That name is Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Week L (2015) Domaine de Garrigues, Lirac 2012. Majestic £8.49The wine producing Rhone region is divided into two halves; the Northern Rhone and (go on, have a guess) the Southern Rhone. It is generally agreed that the North with its steeper slopes, more obviously continental climate and its smaller sub-regions produces the higher quality wine. Much more is produced in the South, where one appellation alone produces more wine annually than the entire output of the North. That appellation? Why, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, of course.
C-du-P allows 18 different grape varieties to appear in the blend. There are a great number of producers, able to select their own preferred wine-making techniques, making a total of 15 million bottles a year.
Just over the river, on the western side, a region less than a quarter of its neighbour's size you can find Lirac, the source of this week's selection. The soil and climate are similar and only five red varieties are permitted. The net result? In my opinion, a more reliable and generally cheaper wine than produced over the river.
It has a nice deep ruby colour and is a fresh, juicy-fruity, wine that isn't jammy and has pleasantly smooth tannins and acid that makes you dribble.
The blend is Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. The rules require at least 40% Grenache, so that means (as the varieties have to be listed in descending order of volume) there must be a majority of Syrah, the star of the Northern Rhone.
It's not hugely complex, but it has enough going on to make it interesting. The alcohol is there, but not too prominent and the finish is long enough to give you time to appreciate what you are drinking without having to rush back for another mouthful.
I am sure that there are many wines from Chateauneuf-du-Pape that warrant my friends' approval, but I would be extremely surprised if you could buy one to equal this Lirac for £8.49.
No comments:
Post a Comment