Syrah first appears in the historical record in 1781 outside the Rhone village of Tain-l’Hermitage, Tablas Creek Vineyard In honor of International Syrah Day, I’m sharing two terrific Syrah cellar selections. History of Syrah Syrah is one of the oldest established grape varietals in the Côtes du Rhône region of southern France, and the sixth-most-planted…
Tag: Syrah
Looking For Value in Northern Rhône? Look For Crozes-Hermitage!#Winophiles
This month the French Winophiles are exploring the Northern Rhône Valley. “The Northern Rhône Valley is dwarfed by its neighbor to the south in terms of sheer size of production. Defined growing areas are typically much smaller in the north, and a substantial number of the region’s better vineyards are planted on steep, terraced granite…
Wine of the Day: 2015 Markus Wine Co. Zietlos Red Blend
This is an alluring, suave, and harmonious wine that is emblematic of outstanding wines being crafted in the Lodi AVA This wine is a predominately a blend of Syrah and Viognier from the Borra Vineyards Gill Creek Ranch that were picked on the same day and co-fermented in the Northern Rhône tradition. Old vine Carignan and Petite Sirah from the…
A Taste of The House of Chapoutier #Winophiles
This month the French Winophiles are roaming the Rhône Valley! We received three sample wines from the venerable House of Chapoutier from three different regions of the Rhône Valley – Crozes Hermitage, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Luberon. Overview of the Rhône Valley The Rhône Valley is a key wine-producing region in the southeast of France. It follows the north–south course of…
Wine of the Day; 2011 Tablas Creek En Gobelet
This is a delicious, complex and distinguished wine I won’t soon forget. I wish I had more! The Tablas Creek Vineyard En Gobelet 2011 is a unique blend (29% Mourvedre, 27% Grenache, 26% Tannat and 18% Syrah) of four estate-grown varietals, selected from head-pruned, dry-farmed sections of their 120-acre certified organic estate vineyard. The grapes were largely harvested together…
2014 Domaine L’Ostal Cazes “Grand Vin” #Winophiles
This month, the French Winophiles are making a virtual trip to the Languedoc-Roussillion region of France (which is now part of a newly formed region called the “Occitanie” – more on that later). I’ve chosen a wine from Minervois La Livinière appellation – the 2014 Domaine L’Ostal Cazes “Grand Vin” and pairing it with vegan…
Wine of the Day; 2012 Acorn Syrah Axiom Alegría Vineyards
A harmonious, food friendly wine that’s flat-out delicious! This wine is a field blend of 98% Syrah (3 clones) and 2% Viognier. The wine was aged 16 months in a combination of French, American, Hungarian, and European barrels carefully selected to add structure and notes of vanilla and spice, while enhancing the spicy berry flavors…
#WineWednesday Review; 2013 Trivento Amado Sur
From time to time, I receive wines samples from wineries or their public relations agencies for review. I feature such samples on here on #WineWednesday Review. This week I’m featuring the 2013 Bodegas Trivento Amado Sur. The Winery When in the mid-1990s Concha y Toro, Chile’s leading wine producer, announced its successful purchase a collection of vineyards (now…
Wine of the Week; 2010 Tercero Verbiage
Every Thursday I feature a wine I particularly enjoy, whether it’s something new and different, is a great value, or from a producer worth checking out. For this week, my Wine Of The Week is the 2010 Tercero Verbiage. The Winery Tercero Vineyards is located in Los Olivos, California. Larry Schaffer is the owner/winemaker. Schaffer left a successful career in…
#DrinkPink Rosé of the Week; 2013 Domaine de Triennes Rosé
Summer is officially here! Rosé season is in full bloom, although truth be told, it’s Rosé season for me pretty much year-round for me! With that in mind, I’m cranking up my annual series of weekly “Drink Pink!“ Rosé tastings. It’s my quest for the best Pink Porch Pounders for $20 or less! This week’s rosé is…