Welcome to Wines of the World a Series #3… If you missed the last review click here.
Beer is made by men, wine is made by God… by Martin Luther
As fall creeps on.., the weather getting chillier, night coming sooner. It's easy to forget about white wine. I mean, reds fit so well with the season. But if you are willing to veer slightly off the "ho-hum" path… You can find white wines that flourish in the fall, as if they were meant for the very season, itself. Some aged in oak.., maybe have gone through a softening of malolactic fermentation to curb that tartness, just right.
It's easy to reach for that buttery chardonnay… But then you might miss, the very taste of fall. From the Valley of Rhone in France -- Southern Rhone, to be more exact. The grapes they grow could bring you to your knees. Only a small portion of the whole valley is dedicated to growing grapes for white wine. Bringing the level of care and tenderness, to level that could only be described.., as motherly.
And when blended correctly.., and balanced just right. It's a loving companion a on cool fall night. So while there's nothing wrong with that buttery chard… I thought we would venture to a town.., on hill, that produces such grapes as Roussanne, Clairette, Viognier and Marsanne… And, as sexy.., as they sound, you can only really appreciate the depths it has found.., when the aroma's rush over you -- the notes of black walnut dripping in honey.., the floral bouquet of sweet jasmine and dew, hang in the air.
So, for the third in our Wines of the World series… I have chosen, not one.., but five grapes -- that blend together, in the Classic Southern Rhone White Blend: Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache blanc, Marsanne and Bourboulenc.
Fall is a time of letting-go… The balance of this and that. Accepting we're human, with all of it's flaws… A time for acceptance for all that is true. We relinquish ourselves unto the earth.., and watch our souls rise, as they search for the light.
Château Beauchene’s Côtes du Rhône “Grande Réserve” 2010
Grapes: Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache blanc, Marsanne, and Bourboulenc The Classic Southern Rhone White Blend
Full-bodied White Wine
Tasting Notes:
A distinctive, and extremely unique characteristic of wines from this region are the resinous herbs that grow everywhere. It's hard to believe the wind is a factor.., as it blows the grapes clean -- and cooler in the summer.
The nose (aromas) of these wines.., will put you in the mood :)) The lavender and sage… Some jasmine comes through, and herbs fill the air.
The texture (palate).., the fruits of this wine -- the apple and pear. Honeysuckle. The spice of white pepper is slightly there. It's creamy and light as it sits on your tongue.
The finish… A balanced aging and uplifting acidity enhances the languorous finish that rests in your mouth Still pretty and delicate, while the luxurious taste lingers-on, well after it's gone.
Side Note: This wine LOVES air… Decanting it, will bring out the very unique and rare nuances of a blend, that requires the focus and love a Buddhist Monk. To balance the characteristics of all these lovely grapes.., is a feat to behold and a quality to be admired!
Food Pairing: From sausage to roast chicken. Ham and Minestrone. Or maybe some paella and snapper.
Cost: $16
The most influential time period for the Rhone Valley came in 1737, when the king of France, Louis XV, declared the Côtes du Rhône as a recognized brand -- though it dates, all the way back to around 600 BC, when it was first cultivated by the Greeks. And today, these storied grapes are revered, worldwide.
When I was first introduce to a white wine for the cooler temps… It was, inevitably, an oaky, buttery chardonnay, which was just fine -- quite good, actually. But it didn't surprise me… And then, I met a woman whose family was from the Rhone region.., and she schooled me good, on wines that were ripe for the pickin' and were, almost meant for fall.
After letting the first bottle breath.., she introduced me to a flavor profile, I had not experienced, before… It was rustic, but new. Complex and nuanced, but soft on the tongue. While the aromas transport you to time well past, it's flavors are lively and seem to dance in your mouth. The unexpected fragrance and depth of flavor.., were the perfect accompaniment to cool fall night!
“I shall drink no wine before it’s time! OK, it’s time.” By Groucho Marx
Bonus: Wine Slang and Terms
- Whale -- will spend over $1000 a bottle
- Extra Big Baller -- can spend $100k on wine in one sitting!
- COUGAR JUICE -- California chard or malbec
- Acids -- give wine tartness. Several acids are in the grape before fermentation, and others arise afterward. Acids often make a wine seem “crisp” or “refreshing.”
- Astringency -- (makes your mouth pucker) depending upon the amount of tannins. A moderate amount of astringency is desirable.., it creates a lovely lasting flavor
- Balance -- when its elements are harmonious; when no one part stands-out. Acid should balance against sweetness; fruit should balance against oak and tannin; alcohol balances against acid and flavor.
- Finish -- is the overall taste that remains in your mouth after you’ve swallowed the wine… It’s length and pleasantness of the aftertaste. A well-balanced, light-bodied wine has a shorter finish, while a well-balanced, full-bodied wine usually has a long finish.
- Nose -- the smell, aroma.
- Palate -- the feel and taste of a wine in the mouth.
- Malolactic Fermentation -- or “secondary fermentation.” The sharp malic acid in wine converts to lactic acid and carbon dioxide, thereby decreasing tartness and creating buttery aromas.
- Plonk -- cheap wine
- Balthazar -- A large bottle.., the equivalent of 16 regular wine bottles
- Breathing -- interaction between air and wine after a wine has been opened. Decanting is an excellent example of, letting a wine breath.
I will add some wine terms and lingo as we go…
Now that you are aware of a White Wine for the fall… I hope you will give them a shot -- the right one can embody, the very season. CHEERS!
If you have any questions or recommendations for a wine you would like reviewed, please comment below.., and follow @macksby