Good Morning!

Last week, I was on a Rhone Valley, France roll and today I have another area and their wines I want to mention, cuz, they good! (said in the best midwest accent ever).

When you find yourself in the “French” wine section of the wine shop or grocery, you will see on labels Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Villages. These wines will introduce you to this area of France and I bet you might be surprised with the results. Cotes du Rhone is a mainly red wine production total volume 96% and 2% is white wine and 2% rose.

Main red grape is Grenache and at least 40% of the wine must be used (except for in Northern Rhone, where they use entirely Syrah).

Syrah and Mourvedre are the other principal grapes along with the Grenache, this blend must constitute at least 70% of the blend.

There are 10 red varieties used as secondary varities that makes up to 30% of the wine and they really like to blend Carignan or Cinsault.

These wines are affordable $12-17 a bottle and they are low tannin and fruity, these wines will not blast you in the mouth as much as the big California reds. If you are like me and like to grill meats (hamburgers especially)…..grab a bottle and make a pairing (go easy on the mustard, I personally think too much mustard beats up my taste buds, but that is just my opinion). Grilled chicken or burgers and Cotes du Rhone is a beautiful match, seriously, try it and tell me what you think.

Cotes du Rhone Villages are considered a higher class of wine compared to Cotes du Rhone, the cost is a few bucks more a bottle but these wines are made in a fewer vineyards. The Cotes du Rhone-Villages produces only about 13% compared to Cotes du Rhone.

Other wines of the Southern Rhone Valley that you must try are Gigondas (I love the wines of this area and I worked at a winery in the area, it is so richly steeped in tradition, amazing). Also make sure you try the Vacaqueyras the red wine from the area is ridiculously delicious!
Make sure if you see wines from Lirac and Tavel, I have had some very special rose’ from Tavel and they are known for their crazy blends to create these beautiful rose’. You can find these wines for $15-25.

I hope you will take a little of this info and go find a bottle or two of a Rhone wine you have never tried and you will buy it, try it and cook something with it and then let me know what you think! I love the pics and pairings you guys are sending me.

I almost like to cook as much as I like to make wine, so watching others creating, inspires me as well, THANK YOU!

Much LOVE and wine,

Tammi