The 2nd Wine Tasting (2011-12-09) - France (Southern Rhône Valley)- (Red)

The Rhône Valley is one of the key wine region in France, locates at southeastern France. The Rhône is divided into two sub-regions, the Northern Rhône and the Southern Rhône. They are separated by a 25-mile (40-km) gap, where almost no vines are grown. This gap not only separate the geography, but also grape varieties. All the affect the quality and quantity of wines produced. This wine tasting was only focus on Southern Rhône red wines.

Southern Rhône has the Mediterranean climate, mild winter and hot summer; rocky and sandy soils are the feather of the south. Even the southern wines are under less-prestigious and less-specific names, it produce more than 90% of total production of the Rhône. Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas are one of the most famous in the southern Rhône. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault are the major grape verities of the south. Most of the wines are red blend (Grenache and Mourvèdre based; sometimes combine with Syrah).

Sub-region of Northern and Southern Rhône Valley

Rhône Valley 位於法國東南，是主要的葡萄酒產區之一。Rhône Valley主要產區都分布在Rhône河沿岸分為南北兩區，兩區中間有將近40公里的區域，甚至不產葡萄。南北的劃分不只是地形、氣候、甚至是葡萄種類都不盡相同。北部雖然得天獨厚，但總產量不過5%，所以這次品酒的重點集中在南部。

南部為地中海型氣候，夏熱冬暖，以石礫及沙質土壤為主，夏乾冬雨也是其致命傷。雖然很多名酒都是出自於氣候嚴峻的地方，但畢竟不是所有的葡萄都適合。Chateauneuf-du-Pape 可算是Southern Rhône 最為閃耀的一顆星，Gigondas也算是少數地區能夠追趕上Northern Rhône。Southern Rhône的葡萄種類以Grenache,  Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah, and Carignan為主。大部分的紅酒以Grenache和Mourvèdre為主，部分會混Syrah。極少有單一種類葡萄的酒。

1. 2010 Domaine Jaboulet-Vercherre Côtes du Rhône Chassy
2. 2009 Domaine les Aphillanthes Côtes du Rhône
3. 2009 Pierre Amadieu Gigondas Romane Machotte
4. 2008 Domaine du Cayron Gigondas
5. 2008 Alexandre Favier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Oliviers
6. 2007 Château des Fines Roches Châteauneuf-du-Pape
7. 2005 Domaine de Saint Siffrein Châteauneuf-du-Pape
8. 2006 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Cuvée Réservée

Note
I. Most of wines are Grenache based. Grenache has thin skin and fruity aromas, which make wines very enjoyable.

II. If the bottle is only wirtten Côtes du Rhône, usually means a) less expensive, b)not aged, c) mostly steel barrel; sometimes oak barrel for short time.

III. Even small percentage of Syrah is contained, makes obvious peppery aromas.