Yes, it's me! I am officially the winner of the Rhône Prize as part of the 2013 WSET awards for top performing Advanced level students. I was unable to tell you until 20th January when the prize giving took place, but I decided to drink some Rhône wine on the 19th as part of an early celebration and that's what I'm reviewing here. First though, a big thank you to Hallgarten Druitt (a trade wine supplier) for sponsoring the prize. It was a great pleasure to meet Jim Wilson, and I really look forward to receiving, sampling and reviewing their selection of wines. It was a great occasion to be part of, and I felt honoured to be present while the diploma students graduated, and the other scholarship awards were presented by Jancis Robinson, OBE, MW. It's nice to see that I'm not alone in my wine geekery.
Yeah! It's official!
I have not talked much about Rhône wines here on Purple Teeth, so far. It's a massive topic with several famous individual appellations (or named areas) which encompass a fairly large number of whites and red varieties as well as sweet and rosé wine. You really could make a lifetime study just of the wines from this region.
The most prestigious whites are probably the Viogniers from Condrieu and Château Grillet. Though you'll also find Roussane and Marsanne. In the Northern Rhône, the Cru appellations produce premium wines with prices to match. It's here you'll find the Syrah-Viognier blend at eye-watering prices in Côte-Rotie, and other elegant Syrahs in Cornas and Saint-Joseph. Moving down the valley into the Southern Rhône, you'll find basic Côtes-du-Rhône at affordable prices, with 18 named villages presenting their Grenache based blends in either Côtes-du-Rhône Villages wines, or, in named village appellations (and at somewhat higher prices) you'll find most of the "Cru" (or premium named sites which have been given AOC status) such as Gigondas, and the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Variety also comes from sweet wines made in Rasteau, and the world famous Muscat de Beaume-de-Venise, while Tavel is the only appellation in the Rhône Valley which produces nothing but rosé wine.
There really is something for everyone. To find out more, or to see a map of the appellations and how they fit into the area between Lyon and the Mediterranean, visit http://www.rhone-wines.com/ for resources on tourism in the area. There's also lots of information on the key wines of this diverse region.
The most prestigious whites are probably the Viogniers from Condrieu and Château Grillet. Though you'll also find Roussane and Marsanne. In the Northern Rhône, the Cru appellations produce premium wines with prices to match. It's here you'll find the Syrah-Viognier blend at eye-watering prices in Côte-Rotie, and other elegant Syrahs in Cornas and Saint-Joseph. Moving down the valley into the Southern Rhône, you'll find basic Côtes-du-Rhône at affordable prices, with 18 named villages presenting their Grenache based blends in either Côtes-du-Rhône Villages wines, or, in named village appellations (and at somewhat higher prices) you'll find most of the "Cru" (or premium named sites which have been given AOC status) such as Gigondas, and the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Variety also comes from sweet wines made in Rasteau, and the world famous Muscat de Beaume-de-Venise, while Tavel is the only appellation in the Rhône Valley which produces nothing but rosé wine.
There really is something for everyone. To find out more, or to see a map of the appellations and how they fit into the area between Lyon and the Mediterranean, visit http://www.rhone-wines.com/ for resources on tourism in the area. There's also lots of information on the key wines of this diverse region.
Domaine Mas Du Bouquet - Vacqueyras 2010 - 14.5%
You'll certainly hear more about Rhône wines as I drink my prize, but onto the wine of the moment.
Vacqueyras is one of the Cru or premium appellations upgraded from Côtes-du-Rhône Villages status in 1990. This example is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre - all 3 of which are often known by other names when grown elsewhere. For example, Grenache becomes Garnacha and Mourvèdre becomes Monastrell in Spain, or Mataro in Australia, while robuster, forms of Syrah with more black pepper than violet are known as Shiraz across the wine producing world. Together, you'll find GSM blends from Australia, South Africa and other new world wine producers, but it's here on the Rhône valley that this blend first came to prominence, and, some would argue, where it finds it's best expressions.
So what to expect from this wine..
It's surprisingly smooth. There's quite a lot if tannin but that's well integrated and with the acidity, the wines keep reasonably well. Still, it's clearly a "Big Red" with a high Purple Teeth (alert your dentist) rating as it's dark colours really will stain. There is a core of blackcurrant cassis and some dark red fruit, but the key delivery is the layers of spice, from pepper to liquorice. And though it packs an alcoholic punch at 14,5% it's well balanced and doesn't burn. It's a pleasing wine that would pair well with anything from spaghetti meatballs to Sunday roast. Cheaper than a Châteauneuf-du-Pape but a serious cut above a basic Côtes-du-Rhône, it's worth a try if you like hearty, spicy reds. It's riches complement a winter evening with mulled wine scented candles, fireside movies and warm blankets. My feeling is that this example would improve with further aging. At £17.99, I think Naked have over-priced this wine, though the Angel price of £12.49 is a bit more realistic. You'll struggle to find much at that price in specialist wine retailers. According to the labeling, the winemaker is in transition to sustainable practices if that's the sort of thing that grabs you.
Vacqueyras isn't really a supermarket wine, so if you would like to treat yourself to some, Morrisons are the only grocers where I found one for sale at the rather hefty price of £28.99 for the Domaine la Garrigue Vacqueyras 2009. Perhaps a better starting point may be the Majestic offering at £17.49 of the Vacqueyras Pavane 2011 La Bastide Saint Vincent. I can't vouch for either as I've not yet tasted them.
Vacqueyras is one of the Cru or premium appellations upgraded from Côtes-du-Rhône Villages status in 1990. This example is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre - all 3 of which are often known by other names when grown elsewhere. For example, Grenache becomes Garnacha and Mourvèdre becomes Monastrell in Spain, or Mataro in Australia, while robuster, forms of Syrah with more black pepper than violet are known as Shiraz across the wine producing world. Together, you'll find GSM blends from Australia, South Africa and other new world wine producers, but it's here on the Rhône valley that this blend first came to prominence, and, some would argue, where it finds it's best expressions.
So what to expect from this wine..
It's surprisingly smooth. There's quite a lot if tannin but that's well integrated and with the acidity, the wines keep reasonably well. Still, it's clearly a "Big Red" with a high Purple Teeth (alert your dentist) rating as it's dark colours really will stain. There is a core of blackcurrant cassis and some dark red fruit, but the key delivery is the layers of spice, from pepper to liquorice. And though it packs an alcoholic punch at 14,5% it's well balanced and doesn't burn. It's a pleasing wine that would pair well with anything from spaghetti meatballs to Sunday roast. Cheaper than a Châteauneuf-du-Pape but a serious cut above a basic Côtes-du-Rhône, it's worth a try if you like hearty, spicy reds. It's riches complement a winter evening with mulled wine scented candles, fireside movies and warm blankets. My feeling is that this example would improve with further aging. At £17.99, I think Naked have over-priced this wine, though the Angel price of £12.49 is a bit more realistic. You'll struggle to find much at that price in specialist wine retailers. According to the labeling, the winemaker is in transition to sustainable practices if that's the sort of thing that grabs you.
Vacqueyras isn't really a supermarket wine, so if you would like to treat yourself to some, Morrisons are the only grocers where I found one for sale at the rather hefty price of £28.99 for the Domaine la Garrigue Vacqueyras 2009. Perhaps a better starting point may be the Majestic offering at £17.49 of the Vacqueyras Pavane 2011 La Bastide Saint Vincent. I can't vouch for either as I've not yet tasted them.
I'd love to hear about your experiences with any of the wines of the Rhône and of course, if you'd like to learn more about these or indeed any of the other wines of the w, I'd be happy to host your tasting party in person, or online.
Cheers!
Cheers!
My stunning trophy, engraved with the names of the 40 previous winners
The Guildhall, great hall where Jancis Robinson, OBE, MW presented the prizes and diplomas.
Celebrating with the Tio Pepe reception
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