A gentleman’s guide to a winter Cote du Rhônes
Look no further for your guide to the perfect red...
Rhône valley wines are most often made from a triad of grapes; Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (often referred to as GSM), although the first two are the most dominant. Syrah (or Shiraz in the new world) provides those classic autumnal fruit flavours as well as exciting mint and black pepper whilst Grenache gives yummy red fruit and a hint of white pepper spice. Although the Rhône is quite flexible on what grapes can be grown, these two classic varieties lead the way and make for a range of exciting wines.
Rhône wines are varied, especially when comparing the north (where Syrah is more widely grown) and the south (where Grenache is more popular). But one thing that most of the wines have in common is that they tend to be fantastic to pair with food – although they might be so delicious that you finish them all by themselves before the food is served!
You might be mistaken for thinking this was a decent Châteauneuf-du-Pape but this wine actually comes from just a few kilometers away in Gigondas. Gigondas wines are famed for powerful aromas and a palette that doesn’t disappoint, and this four-year-old Château Raspail is no exception.
Because of its power and its balance of acidity and tannin, this wine will continue to develop for a few years to come, so there’s absolutely no reason not to stock up, and work your way through it! Buy here from From Vineyards Direct
Hermitage is one of the most famous appellations of Northern Rhône and one of the area’s most well-known and collected producers is Domaine Jean-Louise Chave. The family have been growing wines since 1481. Buy here from Hedonism Wines
No list of Rhône wines would be complete with the king of Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This famous appellation might seem like on steeped in tradition, but many producers are experimenting with alternative maturation techniques and low sulfites.
This wine is the jewel in the crown of Domaine de la Mordorée and continues to be one of Berry Brothers’ best-selling wines. Bursting with plums and with a high alcohol punch, this is a truly indulgent wine made for man time. Buy here from Berry Brothers & Rudd
This lesser known region of Southern Rhône is exceptionally good value, especially when compared to its more famous and pricier neighbours. But the quality of this wine is up there with some of the best and this one in particular which has received critical acclaim from some of the world’s most prominent wine experts. Buy here from From Vineyards Direct
This ‘own label’ wine from M&S is ideal for anybody looking for a classic style at very good value. The well-loved British brand has been working closely with local winemakers for years to bring us some truly fantastic wines.
It’s easy to drink and, importantly, easy to pair with foods too. The cherry flavours are especially good with a nice piece of game or duck breast and would be the perfect accompaniment for a dinner party. Buy here from Marks and Spencer
Guigal is the largest producer in Côte-Rôtie and is synonymous with quality wines of the region. This wine always has a splash of Viognier, a white grape, blended with the punchy Syrah to add elegance and finesse. There are flavours of blackcurrant cassis alongside olives a black pepper hints.
It will age beautifully and develop leathery, gamey notes meaning that it can be enjoyed in autumns to come and this is a particularly good year to invest in. Buy here from Waitrose Cellar
This classic GSM blend is a wonderful and affordable expression of the region. It’s easy-drinking nature and silky smooth tannins mean that it’s a classic crowd pleaser – plummy without being over-bearing and a tingling spice that won’t overpower. It’s great with a range of foods, but pair it with a good quality burger for a real taste sensation. There’s no excuse to drink bad wine with great wine at this price.
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