The Cellar: Great Wines for Spring Grilling

Saturday, April 07, 2012

Steffen Rasch, GoLocal Wine Critic

This week’s two wines are meant for enjoying while grilling your favorite food around the BBQ. Once again, I am going to try to get you to taste a Rosé (if you haven’t already done so). The other wine is from one of Argentina’s best value-driven producers and a "new world" take on a classic Syrah/Viognier blend – a blend which has its roots in France’s Côte-Rôtie. Also: If you have a thirst for more and would like to expand your knowledge about wine in a fun and relaxing atmosphere, you should consider attending one of my ‘Evening with Wine’ events. The next such event, featuring the classic varietals Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot, is scheduled for Thursday April 12th, 2012. For more information visit www.ProvidenceWineAcademy.com

2011 Domaine de Fontsainte, Gris de Gris, Corbières, France

One of my favorite wines to serve while hanging on the patio, waiting for the steaks to finish on the grill, is Rosé. Despite what many people think, Rosé is a serious style of wine, usually dry, crisp and delicious.

This style of wine is not to be confused with Blush wines, which are often simpler-made wines and usually slightly sweet. Rosés serve as great aperitif wines and can go with a wide variety of foods ranging from salads, fish, shellfish and even some lighter prepared meats. Originally from Southern France’s Provence region, Rosés are now made all over the world and from most red grape varietals.

This week’s Rosé is from France’s Languedoc-Roussillon—more specifically Corbières, the largest sub-region responsible for almost half of Languedoc’s total production. The 2011 Gris De Gris from Domaine de Fontsainte is made primarily from hand-harvested Grenache grapes with 10% Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault. The wine comes across extremely fresh with densely flavored crushed strawberry, hints of sweet watermelon and minerality blended together harmoniously. This is a great Rosé. As a Kermit Lynch import, it should be available in most wine shops for under $20.

2010 Las Perdices Syrah-Viognier, Mendoza, Argentina

In France’s Côte-Rôtie sub-region, the traditional wines are made primarily from Syrah, but also allow for up to 20% Viognier – a white grape – to be blended in. Along with Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côte-Rôtie is one

of the few wine appellations in the old world that allows white wine grapes to be blended with red wine grapes. Both of these wines are very limited and highly sought-after wines and therefore usually very expensive. Thankfully, when it comes to blending rules in the new world there basically are none!

So if you want to try a Syrah-Viognier blend, look for the $15 example from famed Argentinean producer Las Perdices whose 2010 vintage comprises of 93% Syrah and 7% Viognier. The idea behind this co-fermented blend is that Viognier adds finesse and aromas to the Syrah grape, which typically makes powerful wines filled with color and tannins. In this case the result is an interesting full-bodied wine filled with dark fruit flavors, but also a pronounced acidity making this a great food wine. Think everything off the grill.

Enjoy!

Steffen Rasch CSW is ready to answer any wine-related questions, comments or concerns you may have. Feel free to email him at [email protected]. And as always, don’t forget to follow GoLocalProv’s Wine Cellar on Facebook and sign up for one of his tastings through the Providence Wine Academy.