EVERYDAY WINES TO ENJOY WHILE WATCHING A MOVIE
These easy-going French reds are just fine with popcorn, says Juanita Roos.
There are a series of fun French vintage styled posters that can be found in the London Underground Tube marketing wines from the Rhone Valley. “Night In With Le Tellybox” (easily translatable?) is one that depicts a happy couple dancing in their living room (yup, there is a brown sofa), the woman has a TV remote in one hand and a bottle of Cotes du Rhone wine in the other with the words “everyday sophistication” at the bottom. Oh, and there was a bowl of popcorn visible as well — obviously!
This is my inspiration for the weekend’s brisk weather forecast … cozying up on the couch with a blanket, Netflix and an easydrinking Cotes du Rhone red wine.
Cotes du Rhone AOC (appellation) is the second largest designated wine region by area in France, running south from the city of Lyon following the Rhone River to the Mediterranean. This basic level of wine accounts for over half the entire regional production.
French wine classification rules are the most relaxed at this level, but wines must have a minimum of 11 per cent alcohol, be made from a range of specified varietals and contain a minimum of 15 per cent Syrah and/ or Mourvedre. Wine produced from vineyards south of the town of Montelimar must also contain a minimum of 40 per cent Grenache.
The north is cooler and the terrain is more rugged, which is favoured by the Syrah grape. The Mediterranean climate of the southern Rhone Valley is ideal for heat-loving varietals such as Grenache and Mourvedre. There is a famous bone-chilling northern wind called the Mistral that can exceed 100 km/h, which can be beneficial for cooling temperatures and drying the soil at harvest.
The next step up the pyramid of wines from the Rhone Valley would involve more strict wine laws that result in wines of higher quality with more aging potential.
These wines are labelled as Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC. From there it goes all the way up the ladder to the Crus and the most well-known example would be Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC. We will explore these in another column.
Before your head begins to ache from too much information, let’s just focus on the easydrinking everyday wines for the weekend.
These wines will contain at least two of the three main varietals of the region — Grenache with it’s charming blackcurrant and spice, Mourvedre’s red-fruit, full-bodied brooding personality and the floral, fruity red and dark fruits and pepper notes of Syrah.
You can find some wonderful values and a variety of styles from the Cotes du Rhone AOC, based on location — from north to south and of course the hand of the winemaker.
You can anticipate rich fruit, herbs, a round palate (as a result of having a higher alcohol level) and a medium-body.
I often find there is a saltiness to many of the wines from this region.
Here are five recommendations for outstanding Cotes du Rhone AOC red wines.
I will let you pick the movie.
2015 RACINE COTES DU RHONE $19
This is a terrific value wine from the outstanding 2015 vintage.
A blend of 70 per cent Grenache and 10 per cent each of Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvedre. Juicy fruit, sweet spice and just plain enjoyable. You will find this wine on the list at Three Boars.
2015 LES HALOS DE JUPITER COTES DU RHONE $22
This wine is 85 per cent Grenache with 15 per cent of Syrah. Rich and structured with medium-body and full of red berries, Mediterranean herbs and spice.
2015 LA FERME DU MONT COTES DU RHONE “PREMIERE COTE” $24
I am a huge fan of this winemaker, Stephane Vedeau. Farmed organically without any pesticides or herbicides. You won’t be disappointed with the complexity and elegance of this blend from very old vines of 60 per cent Grenache, 30 per cent Syrah and 10 per cent Mourvedre. A lush wine with loads of dark fruit and spices. You can find this gem at The Blue Chair.
2014 DOMAINE CHARVIN COTES-DU-RHONE $26
2014 was a difficult growing season with very cool and wet weather, so you can anticipate wines from this vintage to be lighter and more elegant but keep in mind these are the vintages where the best producers will shine. Tremendous value from this family owned organic winery that produces traditional-styled wines.
This wine is predominately Grenache with some Mourvedre, Carignan and Bourboulenc. Low intervention, low yields and no oak producing a wine with concentrated dark fruit, spice and very balanced.
2014 CHAVE MON COEUR COTES-DU-RHONE $29
You can always expect topquality wines from Jean-Louis Chave and this one is no exception. A dense and rich wine that is a blend of Grenache and Syrah from the southern Rhone Valley bursting with fruits and spices. Chave wines are widely available at shops throughout Alberta and always a great choice.
Wine selections are available at select shops in Alberta. Log onto liquorconnect.com to check availability and give them a call to verify.