July 23rd 2010: Rhone Style Whites
Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc…….those are the main grape varieties of the lucious whites from the Rhone Valley of Southern France. Just when I’m about to say that these are my favorite whites I think of the GREAT bottle of Daggeneau Pouilly Fume “Pur Sang” that I had last night. Or the phenomenal 95 Huet Vouvray I had a month ago………………or that awe inspiring Gruner Veltliner from Hirtzberger and on & on. I will try until there’s no try left in me to convert the “I don’t drink whites” folks that seem to be everywhere. I will tell you this. These Rhone style white wines are certainly the most “red” like whites around. And if there’s a white that will turn a red only drinker on to whites it’s these guys. The flight of 5 will feature one from Spain, one from California, one from Wa./Oregon and two from France. And the premium Pour will be one of the truly great wines of the world, Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Blanc. And from the great estate of Le Vieux Donjon. To be honest, I don’t care what your vinous pleasure is. You’d be doing yourself a disservice to miss a tasting like this!
THE LINEUP
09 Las Colinas Del Ebro, Garnacha/ Catalan, Spain $12
09 Rabasse Charavin, Cotes Du Rhone Blanc “Laure”/ S. Rhone Valley, France $14
09 Fausse Piste, Viognier/ Oregon/ Washington $20
08 Tablas Creek, Cotes Du Tablas Blanc/ Paso Robles, California $21
05 Phillipe Faury, Saint Joseph/ N. Rhone Valley, France $27
PREMIUM POUR ($5)
08 Le Vieux Donjon, Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Blanc/ S. Rhone Valley, France $57
It’s up to you. Be brave! Dare to drink white.
Sandy
