Wine on the Radio - October 18, 2004      Listen

Rhone Rangers                                         Recommendations

Nobody has ever confused the California wine country with the Wild West...but it's got its own Rangers!  The Rhone Rangers are a non-profit group of winemakers dedicated to propagating Rhone style wines in the US.  

What's the point you ask?  

Well the Rhone gives us Syrah, Grenache, Rousanne and Viognier among other world famous grapes.  

So the Rhone Rangers saddled up with the thinking that these were the wines of the future - approachable, adaptable, great with food, fun for everyday and priced friendly too.   Whites not as oaky as big chardonnay; reds not as tannic as major cabernet.   So today there are over a hundred Rhone Ranger member wineries, from California to New York, Washington to Virginia, making these tasty alternatives.  

Syrah has certainly arrived.  Many think Viognier is the next craze in white.  Rhone style reds are smoky and darkly fruity...and the white varietals are aromatic and a bit floral but with crackling acidity.  It's a great chance to expand your wine experience.   

Pop the cork™.             

Rhone Rangers Member Wineries                Travel to The Rhone Valley

Rhones - Our Picks and Recommendations . . . All Prices Approximate

Perrin 2001 Reserve Cotes du Rhone Rouge $10
Rhône , France
Winemaker's Notes
The Rouge originates from a significant portion of the Perrin's own vineyards, including those at Château Grand Prebois. Produced from 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and 10% Cinsault

Guigal 2001 Cotes du Rhone Rouge $12
Rhône , France
Winemaker's Notes
What a delicious value! A blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre, and 25% Syrah from 35 year old vines, aged for a year in oak casks

Ch. D'Aqueria 2003 Tavel Rose $18
Rhône, France
Winemaker's Notes
Château d'Aquéria is the quintessential Tavel, vibrant salmon-pink in color, with a penetrating fruit fragrance offset by floral notes. Bone dry, full bodied and succulently fruity on the palate

Perrin 1999 Vacqueras $22
Rhône, France
"The fleshy 1999 is an excellent, dense ruby-colored effort displaying copious quantities of cherries, earth, and pepper in its medium to full-bodied personality. It is a fruit bomb to enjoy over the next 3-4 years."
- The Wine Advocate

Dom. du Pesquier 2001 Gigondas $25
Rhône , France
Winemaker's Notes
Domaine du Pesquier Gigondas is deep ruby-purple in color with a nose of cassis, garrigues, blackberry, wild herbs and leather

A Wine Experience Wine of the Week Selection!
Chapoutier 2000 La Bernardine Chateauneuf-du-Pape $37
Rhône , France

Winemaker's Notes
"La Bernardine is a negociant tank-aged blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah that is bottled unfined and unfiltered. The 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape La Bernardine is a fruity, soft, elegant effort displaying notions of pepper, kirsch liqueur, and lavender presented in a soft, round, medium-bodied, easygoing style. From bottle, it seems slightly less concentrated than it did from tank. It is a wine to drink during its first 8-10 years of life." - Wine Advocate

2000 Dom. Jean Louis Chave St. Joseph $38
WA 87-89 points, The 2000 St.-Joseph is an elegant, mineral and berry-scented effort with medium body as well as a Burgundian-like, floral/black cherry character with a hint of cassis. It is fruit-driven, with adequate acidity and good length

Guigal 2002 Condrieu $40
Rhône , France

Winemaker's Notes
"Pungent, pure aromas of pineapple, spring flowers and fresh herbs. Supple, sweet and silky in the mouth; rich but not at all heavy. Boasts good complexity."
- International Wine Cellar