Wine Tasting at all FOUR locations
Taste Cotes du Rhone and CDR Villages at all four of our locations this Saturday,
August 10 from 11am-4pm.
August 10 from 11am-4pm.
(each store will also have other wines out to taste)
A little more education: We are going to try to feature either a grape or a wine region each week at our stores. We will give you some background information on the grape or region and feature a wine that highlights what we are featuring. We will taste that wine on Saturday at all four of our locations. We will post it here in our blog and send it out in our emails - click here to sign up for our emails
We have started a new label "Education" that you can hit to read all the education articles (see the right column under the heading "labels".
Cotes du Rhone Villages is a AOC in Southern Rhone. It consists of Cotes du Rhone communes that are deemed to be superior regions for producing Cotes du Rhone (think Classico region of Chianti). They are considered better than "regular" Cotes du Rhone, but a step below Chateauneuf du Pape. It is actually a very large area including the villages of Seguret, Cairanne, St. Gervais, Chusclan, Laudun and Saint-Maurice. Obviously, Cotes du Rhone Villages garners a much higher price.
Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages was established as AOC in 1967. The wines are labeled Cotes du Rhone Villages plus they will list their commune.
Regulations are a little stricter than straight Cotes du Rhone:
They must have an alcohol level of at least 12.5%, yields are required to be lower and the blend of grapes is stricter.
village name ------
We will taste some new wines from Cotes du Rhone
2012 Domaine de Servans Cotes du Rhone....$12.99
Technical Notes: The grapes for this wine are organically grown
Tasting Notes: In 2012 the Graniers decided to slightly increase the percentage of Syrah in their blend. This small 6% increase has given the wine added depth and concentration, without sacrificing balance in the wine. In the mouth, rich blackberry notes give way to red cherry and black pepper spice. Even with the increased percentage of Syrah, the tannins are very supple and round in the finish. This is a classic example of a Côtes du Rhône, ideal for backyard barbeque, burgers on the grill, or even pizza.
2011 Domaine de L'Echevin Cotes du Rhone Villages St. Maurice....$19.99
80% Syrah and 20% Grenache
Tasting Notes: Domaine de l’Echevin’s regular Saint-Maurice is a beautiful expression of their terroir. The wine is dominated by the Syrah, which gives the wine its black fruit character. However, the Grenache comes through with hints of red cherry and black pepper notes. Finally, ripe soft tannins round out the wine’s finish. This is a bold, but balanced red, ideally suited to grilling. The smoky character of the Syrah in this wine lends itself to smoked meats like dry rubbed ribs, and brisket. This wine is rich enough to stand up to bold flavors, while maintaining enough acidity to cut through the fat of heavier dishes.
2011 Domaine de L'Echevin Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouville Saint Maurice...$22.99
Tasting Notes: The first thing one notices with this wine is its intense, dark black color. With its predominance of Syrah, this wine is full of deep blackberry, black current, and plum aromas and flavors. In spite of its amazing concentration, the wine is beautifully balanced and complex in the mouth. The black fruit flavors mix with hints of garrigue spice, olive, and black pepper making this an ideal wine for grilled meats, game, and it is especially good with lamb.
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