Thursday, January 10, 2019

A Journey through the Rhône Valley - Tasting at the American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter), led by Annette Schiller, USA/ France

Picture:  A Journey through the Rhône Valley - Tasting at the American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter), led by Annette Schiller, USA/ France

Annette Schiller led a Rhône Valley tasting at the American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter). About 60 people attended the tasting (US$25). Annette poured 3 bottles/ 10 wines, both red and white, sweet and dry, from the the Northern Rhône and the Southern Rhône.

The tasting was heavily driven by the recent Rhône Valley tour by ombiasy WineTours: See: Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France. Noteably, we visited 4 of the 10 producers presented by Annette during the 2018 Rhône Valley tour by ombiasy WineTours. All pictures Annette showed on her powerpoint presentation were from the recent Rhône Valley tour by ombiasy WineTours, takne by me.

Pictures: A Journey through the Rhône Valley - Tasting at the American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter), led by Annette Schiller, USA/ France

The Rhône Valley

The Rhône Valley is one of the oldest wine regions in France, and the second largest after Bordeaux. The Greeks introduced viticulture in the 4th century BC. Later the Romans came and brought viticulture to a different level. Since then the world has discovered Rhône wines and some of the most famous wines come from the Rhône Valley.

The vineyards are located on both sides of the river. The Rhône Valley is divided into two distinctively different regions: the Northern Rhône and the Southern Rhône. The Northern Rhône stretches for 60 miles from Vienne – south of Lyon – to Valence, and produces just 5% of Rhône wines.

Pictures: A Journey through the Rhône Valley - Tasting at the American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter), led by Annette Schiller, USA/ France

The region has a continental climate with pronounced seasons. The soils are granitic and schistous and the vineyards are located on very steep terraced slopes. The red grape of the Northern Rhône is 100% Syrah. Depending on the appellation the red wines are often blended with 5 – 20% of the white varietals Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne.

As the Rhône river flows southward and the valley widens the climate changes. It becomes more Mediterranean with long, warm summers and mild winters. Here we find the big brother of the Northern Rhône, the Southern Rhône wine region which accounts for 95% of the production and with Grenache being the principal variety in most red wine blends. There also is Syrah, Mourvèdre, ( “GSM” blends) and a variety of other red and white grapes. The landscape is much flatter than in the north and a variety of soils can be found: alluvial soils, limestone subsoils, sand, gravel, stones. We will taste the entire range of Rhône wines: reds, whites, rosé, sweet, fortified wines. It is so difficult to choose which wine estate to visit since there are many great producers. We selected top estates of different price points, from top-rated well-known expensive wines to budget friendly, excellent, unknown wines of small producers.

Pictures: Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

See also:
Rhône Valley Tour December 2017: From Lyon to Avignon - Wine, Food, Culture, History
Understanding the Wines of the Rhône Valley: The Classification - AOC/ Vin de Pay/ Vin de France The Rhône Wine Region in Southern France and its Wines: History, Classification, Northern and Southern Rhône
Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

The Wines we Tasted


2017 IGP Domaine de Saint Cosme, Les Deux Albion, Vaucluse Blanc, IGP


2017 Famille Perrin, Côtes du Rhône Réserve, Blanc, AOC Côtes du Rhône


2014 Guigal, AOC Côtes du Rhône, Rouge


2016 Domaine Les Aphillantes, AOC Côtes du Rhône Village, Rouge


2016 Domaine des Pasquiers, AOC Côtes du Rhône Village Sablet, Rouge


2016 Domaine Bastide Saint Vincent, AOC Vacqueyras, Rouge


2015 Domaine Belle, AOC Crozes-Hermitage, Rouge


2014, Château La Nerthe, AOC Chateauneuf du Pape, Rouge


2012, Domaine du Pégau, AOC Chateauneuf du Pape, Rouge


2014 Domaine Alain Ignace, AOC Muscat de Beaumes de Venise, Blanc


schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: January 1, 2019)
 
Ombiasy Wine Tours 2018: 3 x France and 3 x Germany - Ombiasy Newsletter December 2017

Announcement: Renaissance of the Terroir in Germany. Back to the Roots - Wine Tasting Seminar lead by Annette Schiller at the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter), USA

Rhône Valley Tour December 2017: From Lyon to Avignon - Wine, Food, Culture, History

Understanding the Wines of the Rhône Valley: The Classification - AOC/ Vin de Pay/ Vin de France

The Rhône Wine Region in Southern France and its Wines: History, Classification, Northern and Southern Rhône

Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

The 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

Best Value of Bordeaux Tasting with Annette Schiller at the American Wine Society, USA

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