Free tasting | Saturday, January 11, 2020 | 4-6PM

As you probably know, we love off-the-beaten-path wines and the underdogs. We also love leading wine tastings that focus on forgotten wine regions, or at least frequently overlooked wine regions like the French wine regions of Southwest and Languedoc-Roussillon. We’ll talk about Southwest another day, but today, let’s focus on the Languedoc-Roussillon and a region that needs no introduction, the Rhône Valley.

To begin with, the Rhône Valley and the Languedoc-Roussillon are neighbors located in the southeast corner of France. Languedoc-Roussillon is literally shoulder to shoulder with Spain - you could start your day guzzling afternoon coffee in Spain and end your evening sipping delicious red blends from the Languedoc-Roussillon! The Southern Rhône is sandwiched between Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence while the Northern Rhône is a little more than an hour’s long drive from the Southern Rhône.

So why are the Northern Rhône and Southern Rhône connected as a region? It’s a question that has boggled people for hundreds of years. These two sections are as similar as a pair of siblings that are a professional football player and, say, a tax accountant - they have the same surname and linked history, but are completely different, while the magical Rhône River unites the two areas.

If you want to get in shape go to the Northern Rhône! This special place is filled with steep slopes that will give your calves a workout and make you feel super accomplished. On these slopes lays granite soil that is extremely thin and lacking in minerals, so much so, that the soil is frequently carried away by rainstorms. Whenever this happens winemakers merely shrug and go collect the soil in buckets and walk back up the slopes to place the soil back with the vines. The weather here is full of extremes like unyielding cold and wind in the winter and relentless sunlight and heat in the summer.

Unlike the Southern Rhône and the Languedoc-Roussillon, which specialize in blends, the Northern Rhône is all about the purity and expression of a single or two grape varieties in its wine. Drinking a Syrah or Viognier from here is enough of a transformative experience that could turn any villain like Voldemort or Emperor Palpatine into beacons of goodness.

The blends of Languedoc-Roussillon and the Southern Rhône are like the mixed breed puppy you adopted at the shelter as a kid. Inconceivable when you think of the separate breeds (a chihuahua and German Shepherd mix, really?) but once playing with that puppy, or drinking that delightful blend of a wine, each distinct part seems inseparable. The grape that both rules blends in Languedoc-Roussillon and the Southern Rhône is Grenache. Intriguingly, Grenache was actually brought over from Spain across the Pyrenees Mountains into Roussillon. Other grapes that do quite well in both regions are Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cinsault.

It’s hot, sunny and dry in the Southern Rhône and Languedoc-Roussillon. Grapes love growing up here! While both regions  are well-known for their red blends they also grow interesting white wines from grapes like Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne, and Viognier. 

If you’re more familiar with wines from the Rhône don’t let that stop you from trying wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon. This region has a long and fascinating history; for instance in the 14th century, wine from certain parts of the Languedoc-Roussillon were prescribed as medication in hospitals in Paris. Today, like the Rhône, there are dedicated small producers using organic and natural methods. It’s an exciting time to be drinking wine from these regions! Join us on Saturday when Molly leads you through a line-up of stunning reds (and one white) from the Rhône Valley and the Languedoc-Roussillon!

Rhône & Roussillon Line-up:

2017 Sainte Croix ‘La Serre’

Who: Jon and Elizabeth Bowen 

What: Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, and Terret 

Where: Languedoc-Roussillon, France

How: These grapes were hand harvested and fermented with wild yeasts. Then the blend was aged with a little lees contact for 9 months.

Farming Method: Certified Organic

Fun Fact: Jon and Elizabeth are actually a British couple who fell in love with the Languedoc!

Tasting Notes: Full bodied with mineral driven notes of clove, gingerbread, and candied peaches.

2018 Domaine la Guintrandy, Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes 

Who: Olivier Cuilleras 

What: Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah

Where: Rhône Valley, France

How: Maceration lasts about 15 to 20 days, depending on the vintage. The wine is aged completely in tank prior to being bottled without filtration. 

Farming Method: Certified Organic

Fun Fact: The vineyard crosses the Visan hamlet of Devès and the Tulette hamlets of Combes and Saint-Léger. Vines are situated at an altitude of between 180 and 230 meters above sea level on calcareous clay which lends itself particularly well to vine growth.

What It Tastes Like: This ruby-purple colored wine possess copious amounts of black currant and cherries on the nose. The excellent purity shines through, with flavors of black fruits and licorice and a fine tannin structure. Think Mediterranean dishes when pairing with food.

2017 Montirius ‘Les Cigales’ 

Who: Eric Saurel and family

What: Grenache and Syrah

Where: Rhône Valley, France

How: These grapes were fermented and aged in cement tanks.

Farming Method: Organic

Fun Fact: The estate was started in 1925.

What It Tastes Like: Juicy and plush with notes of cherries and earthy spiciness. 

2015 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave ‘Offerus’ St. Joseph

Who: Jean-Louis Chave

What: Syrah

Where: Rhône Valley, France

How: 50% of these grapes were destemmed before fermentation occurred in tonneaux and stainless steel tanks. The wine was then aged in barrique for 18 months.

Farming Method: Organic

Fun Fact: This winery has been passed from father to son since 1481!!!

What It Tastes Like: Pure velvet in a glass with notes of earth, blackberries, black pepper, and boysenberries.

2017 Kermit Lynch Red

Who: Jean-Claude Zabella

What: A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan

Where: Languedoc-Roussillon, France

How: These grapes were fermented in stainless steel and aged in a combination of barrel and stainless steel.

Farming Method: Organic

Fun Fact: The Languedoc is nicknamed ‘le Midi’ which roughly means ‘the land of the midday sun.’

Tasting Notes: There’s a pure gulpability factor here with the playful strawberry and cherry notes that explode from your glass!