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Rhône REDS | WHITES & ROSÉS

Probably the most important reason for drinking French wines is that they're different.

Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire and Rhône simply shriek their differences - grape types, climate and terroir, and it really is a fascinating experience for the newcomer to uncork, to sniff and to sip, and to ultimately discover the often blatant and sometimes subtle variations.

Just open a medium-priced bottle, say between six and nine euros, of a red from Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Loire and Rhône, and then indulge in a comparison. The Rhône will be the Porthos of the bunch with a bouquet of spice, pepper, herbs and liquorice together with all the flavours of the latter to convey chewy, leathery, sinewy and tobaccoey sensations on the palate.

Give it a go! We'll select the wines and you'll be a master of wine amongst your peers!

REDS(top)

Côtes-du-Rhône 'Les Costes' 2006 (Vignobles Chusclan) 3.50
Good, extrovert, fruity drop. The French Foreign Legion's favourite tipple with a barbecued chunk of camel steak. A refreshing change from Jacob's Creek.  
Cotes-du-Rhône ‘Château Gicon’ 2005 4.50
The 2005 vintage is dark, dense, brooding style and does need bottle age. However, this pugilistic drop is fantastic with strong cheese on a chilly day.  
Lirac 2004 ‘Domaine Saint-Nicholas’ (Vignobles Chusclan) 5.95
Good, bovine, scar-faced 'get stuck in' scrummy flavours. A chunky and reliable prop-forward charger. Ideal for the Rugby season!
Lirac is a mere seven miles from Châteauneuf-du-Pape - same terrain, same vines, same climate - but very different price scales!		 
Côtes-du-Rhône Villages 2005 (Domaine Amido) 6.50
The 'Côtes-du-Rhône Villages' appellation is superior to the basic 'Côtes-du-Rhône' appellation. The former refers to sixteen specific villages, the wines of which possess more fruit, weight and overall class, and it's worth paying the extra. Certain Villages wines can outshine lesser Châteauneufs. 'Les Ribières' has been aged in oak, is smooth and supple, and similar to a Rioja Reserva.  
Côtes-du-Rhône Villages 2003 (Domaine Amido) 6.50
This is tough, sinewy, flab-free legionnaire sergeant-major style, but don't be deterred..... it isn't all hairy knuckles and hob-nail boots.... it's actually rather cerebral and after a good swig and roll around the gums, an incredible sixty seconds of assorted palate puzzles ensue.
Try it - it really is a class act - five star General stuff à la Patton!		 
Côtes-du-Rhône Villages ‘Les Genets’ 2004/5 7.50
This is what Robert Parker, the world’s most influential wine critic has to say about Côtes-du-Rhône Villages wines …….’the best of these wines irrefutably represent many of the greatest red wine values in the world.’ The 2004 was awarded a gold medal at the Maçon Wine Fair. Limited stocks.  
Lirac 2005 'Domaine Amido' 7.50
A black-robed cleric with leathery strap welding tannic tendencies, black cherries in one cassock pocket and herbs and spices in the other, and an uplifting halo of tobacco smoke and intense incense. Celestial!  
Côtes-du-Rhône Villages ‘Château Saint Estève’ Massif d’Uchaux Grande Réserve 2005 7.95
Deep ruby colour, with an extrovert bouquet of spice, pepper, ripe prunes and the local ‘garrigue’. You’ll never buy a cheapie Châteauneuf again after experiencing this gorgeous gem.  
Lirac 2003 ‘Domaine Amido’ 7.95
A good Lirac can often give the papal robe of Châteauneuf-du-Pape a good tugging - a reminder that a Jesuit or a Benedictine and all the others should never be patronised. This wine does not slink conspiratorially in the cloisters: it's a Savanarola pulpit basher ... a purply complexion with messianic bouquets and flavours soaring and swirling all around. Popes beware!
Silver medal at the Orange Wine Fair.		  
Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Château Saint Estève d'Uchaux, Vieilles Vignes 200010.95
A stunning wine, 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache, derived from old vines. The 2000 vintage is exceptional - rich, intense and currently at its peak. 
Magnums of the 2000 are available in individual boxes. 25.00
Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Château Saint Estève d'Uchaux, Vieilles Vignes 199912.95
Rare vintage, talented vigneron, classic Rhône style. The 2000 vintage is more avuncular, the 1999 is more esoteric. Robert Parker three star rating for the Château.  
Lirac, Château d'Aquéria 199813.95
Now fully mature, profound, and very meditative. 
Gigondas ‘Domaine du Grapillon d’Or’ 2005 (Bernard Chauvet) 14.95
John Livingstone-Learmonth, the U.K.’s leading wine critic, has declared Rhône 2005 to be the vintage of a lifetime! He has awarded Bernard Chauvet’s Gigondas four stars in ‘Decanter’ wine magazine, September 2007.  
Gigondas ‘Domaine du Grapillon d’Or’ 2004 (Bernard Chauvet) 14.95
You almost need a macheté to hack through the sinews and muscles of this gallic Rugby hunk! But it’s worth it! Prepare to be swept away by tidal waves of black fruits, spices, tobacco, liquorice, espresso, rich fruit cake, Havana/cedary, and the inevitable local ‘garrigue’.This is a magnificent drop of potent purple!  
Châteauneuf-du-PapePOA

WHITES(top)

Côtes-du-Rhône Domaine du Grès Blanc 20064.50
Yellow tinted, garrigue wafting, slightly unctuous on the palate with a hint of liquorice. Definitely a wine for sultry southern dishes. 
Prieuré St. Julien 2006 4.50
A ravishing cocktail of Grenache blanc, Roussanne, and viognier. Rhône whites go well with food due to their weight.  
Château Saint Estève d'Uchaux Rosé 20045.45
The rosé wines of the region are darker in colour than their northern cousins, have more weight and structure, and as a result are absolutely superb with food. 
Château Saint Estève d’Uchaux Tradition Blanc 2006 5.95
This is 100% Roussanne.  
Côtes-du-Rhône Villages 'Les Ribières' Blanc 20048.50
Similar in style to a white Châteauneuf - full, oily and spicy. Capable of panzering through Maginot cuisine.  
Château Saint Estève d’Uchaux ‘Vionysos’ 2005 12.00
100% Viognier. Rich, rounded, intense and elegant. The poor man’s Condrieu!  
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