What's Red and White and Delicious All Over?

The Rhone Valley, of course!

Today I've got two wines, one from the Northern Rhone and one from the South. Producing red wine from only one red grape - Syrah - the Northern Rhone is known for elegant wines more reminiscent of Burgundy than its southern neighbour. The Southern Rhone is known for big and powerful reds, blends of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre (and sometimes a whole bunch of other grapes that no one has ever heard of). It also produces some beautiful white wines, also blends, that are worth trying if you want to expand your range from the more comfortable single-varietal-white-wine-drinker. Blends often give wine more complexity and depth and Rhone whites can have incredible flavour and finesse.

On to the wines:

E. GUIGAL COTES DU RHONE BLANC 2015

VINTAGES#: 290296   |   $19.95

This blend from the Southern Rhone is 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 5-7% Marsanne, with a touch of Clairette and Bourboulenc to round it out. What does that mean? Viognier in the majority here gives the wine a lusciousness that is reminiscent of its Northern cousin, Condrieu, but at a fraction of the price (Guigal's actual Condrieu at the LCBO is $67). This wine is beautifully floral and rich on the nose and palate, tasting of peach, sweet citrus and honey. It is, however, entirely dry, well balanced by acidity and it over-delivers with a long, almost chewy finish. I love it. I would pair this with seafood, lobster or scallops in a cream sauce, or with roasted pork or duck. I'd also sip this on its own and happily ponder its lovely weight and complexity.

CAVE DE TAIN ESPRIT DE GRANIT SAINT-JOSEPH 2013

VINTAGES#: 17152   |   $37.95

Weighing in at a heftier price tag, but not as bad as it could be for this appellation, here we have a lovely example of Northern Rhone Syrah. This is a glass full of elegance and structure, with aromas and flavours of pepper, black currants and smoke that will just get better with a few more years of age. The notes from the LCBO say it is "unfiltered" and "unfined", which, translated from winemaking speak means: the winemaker recognized a good thing in the barrel and didn't muck around with too many technical steps that might strip some of the character from the wine. When I sipped this it was clear, but you might find a bit of sediment - absolutely nothing to worry about, just a by-product of a more non-interventionalist winemaking style, which in my opinion is a good thing! This would be perfect with game meats or roasted lamb.

Until next time, enjoy your wine!

Anjana