We are on the cusp of Halloween and a day before my own Halloween party, which follows Opera Southwest’s Bluebeard’s Castle. The wine for my monthly wine tasting at Albuquerque Country Club is Roussanne, a classic Rhone white grape so we’ll explore Rhone Valley white blends.
Also check out my blogs for Werewolves in Book and Film, and Werewolf Movies Paired to Wines and Spirits. All this was on Salon Saturday.
Rhone Valley White Wines
The Rhone Valley is well known for its red wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas and the savory Rose of Tavel, as well as the reds of Hermitage and Cote Rotie. However the valley’s whites are also outstanding.
Rhone White Grapes
The four principal white grapes of the Rhone Valley are Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Viognier. While there might be some blends in the north, Viognier is usually made alone. However there are many other highly-regarded white grapes that grow well in the Rhone Valley.
- Grenache Blanc is the fourth most widely planted white grape in France. It’s drought-resistant, vigorous, easy to graft and ripens early. Like its Grenache Noir counterpoint it originated in Spain. In blends Grenache Blanc contributes rich mouthfeel, crisp acidity and a long finish.
- Marsanne is the white workhorse grape of the Southern Rhône and much of Southern France. Marsanne is a sturdy, hardy grape that produces a full-bodied wine. It provides the base of many white blends that build on its base structure.
- Roussanne is named for its russet-colored skin. The grapes are somewhat prone to rot, but high in acidity and aromatic qualities. It’s a racy, lively wine that has the potential to age – setting it apart from other Rhone whites. Roussanne is often the premium component of white blends.
- Viognier is famous for the rich and exotically perfumed white wines of the Condrieu and Château-Grillet regions of northern Rhône. It was presumed to have been transported there from Dalmatia by Emperor Probus in AD 281. Not personally, of course.
- Clairette has been around since the 1500s. It is used in the production of white and Rose blends. Clairette, with its ability to deliver both low alcohol and high acidity is used in a blend to add acidity. Flavors of green apple, lime, peach, licorice, white peach and floral characteristics.
Other whites:
Since the southern Rhone has so many combinations of grapes one might also encounter Ugni Blanc, Bourboulenc and Picpoul. In the past decade Vermentino (known locally as Rolle) is appearing in an increasing number of blended wines from the southern Rhone.
Costières de Nimes
Costières de Nîmes is the Rhone Valley’s most southern sub-region, descending to where the Rhone River meets the Mediterranean Sea, and benefits from the moderating effect of sea breezes. Freshness and purity of fruit is preserved and full maturity is guaranteed, especially for late ripening varietals. I have sampled several wines from this region and enjoyed every one of them.
Chateau de Nages
This is a very special 5 generations winery and chateau. The winery is organic and the terroir is excellent for their red and white grapes. The chateau is located south of the city of Nimes, with a view of the Tour Magne, one of many Roman ruins including an aqueduct and coliseum. The family was originally based in Algeria and survived the decolonization and the World Wars that devastated many parts of France.
The story of Château de Nages begins with Joseph Torres, the patriarch who at 68 years of age and convinced of the inevitability of decolonization, takes the risk of buying this southern Rhone estate while World War II is raging.
Chateau location: These vineyards sit upon the largest Villafranchian terrace in Europe. The top layer of terroir is made up of stony deposits from the Rhone called “Gres” (to a depth of 5 to 25 meters). Below are red iron-rich clay beds which retain water and help the vineyards in times of drought. Thanks to the composition of Costières de Nîmes subsoil, the deeply rooted vineyards are well-drained.
Terroir expression: Its northern exposure, facing the prevailing winds (the Mistral), and its coastal location, generate late ripening while maintaining freshness and acidity in their fruit and transmitting remarkable aromatic intensity.
Grapes planted: The vineyards are planted with typical Rhone varietals. Syrah excels in this terroir. Grenache is reserved for the leaner soils that temper its natural exuberance. The Mourvèdre confers a striking spicy complexity. For the whites, certain parcels of terroir have a predilection for Roussanne which offers aromatic richness. Grenache Blanc rounds the blends with its crystalline mineral imprint.
For your consideration: Chateau de Nages Joseph Torres 2019 Nimes Blanc, ABV 14%, $27.99
This wine is comprised of 70% Roussanne, 20% Viognier and 10% Grenache Blanc. This is one of their top wines as the amount of Roussanne suggests.
Winemaker notes:
- Nose : filled with scents of lime-tree, anise, apricot and toasted almond
- Taste: full bodied, with scents of candied fruits and acacia. The lush finish is sustained by fresh wooded notes.
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points: Offering a richer bouquet of salty orchard fruit, toasted bread, spice, and honeysuckle, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, expansive mouthfeel, nicely integrated acidity, and a clean finish.”
Recent Comments