You know what folks, I think it’s time to revisit the Cotes Du Rhone. I haven't written about it for years and I can't recall the last time I decided to buy one, but a recent tasting event gave me a pleasant jolt. Once the most popular wine in suburbia and a must have at swingers parties (so I'm told), it fell a little bit out of fashion in favour of Spanish Grenache and Australian GSM blends (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre) with their easier to read labeling and the certainty of plenty of fruit in each glass. Ultimately, it just slipped off my radar but I tasted four of them recently and I felt a pang of sadness over our lost years. My memory of wines with a closed, lazy nose and a palate as flat as a pancake were gone in two swirls and a sip because all of a sudden I my senses were awash with fruits, pepper and well balanced alcohol and tannins. If you’ve ever bumped into an old partner and realised you were a plonker to let them go then you get my drift. One thing that hasn't changed though, is that they still need to be tempered with food. Perhaps it's just just me but they do tend to be rather lively on their own, but when paired with rich dishes, they settle down gracefully and really compliment the food. Be cautious though because there are still too many ugly ducklings and not enough Swans in the Rhone so do a little research or take advice on the producers and as always folks, trade up not down. See you next week.
Domaine Charvin Cotes Du Rhone
Racy summer fruits laced with herbs and pepper. As lively as a puppy with a new toy and like a puppy, it was more relaxed with food. I tried this with Shepherds Pie and it was a marriage made in heaven.
Corney & Barrow £14.59
La Chasse Cotes Du Rhone Reserve
Full bodied and well rounded with cherries, spice and a lovely hint of vanilla on the finish.
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