Martin's Wine & Cheese: Return to the Rhone
/Once again, Martin Creedy hosted an excellent and convivial Wine and Cheese event on Saturday 19th July. As Martin notes:
Way back in 2011 I hosted my very first Wine Tasting for the EHHPS summer season. I started with my favourite wine region - The Rhône Valley - so, for my 14th wine tasting I have decided to revisit the Rhône.
The Wines
Wines Ready to Go…
By the bottle
1 LES CAVEAU DU PRIEURÉ VINSOBRES 2021/22 £13.00/1£14.00 Majestic
14.5% Grenache - Syrah
Founded in 1967, U.V.C.D.R, or Union of Winemakers of Côtes du Rhône, is a collaboration of over 2000 vignerons who have been making wine for several generations. Today it’s the largest producer in the southern Rhône with over 12,000 hectares covering all the crus and villages. And they not only make great wines – they ensure that care and attention goes back into the vineyards. With approximately 10% of their vineyards certified as organic, it’s one of the largest organic producers in France. Vinsobres was classified as Côtes du Rhône Villages before it was upgraded to cru status in 2006. It’s the most northerly of the Southern Rhône crus and its slightly higher latitude combined with the effects of the famous mistral wind ensures its wines have great freshness and acidity. And this wine is a case in point. It’s proof that you can find delicious wine that delivers flavour far beyond its price tag – if you know where to look. Expect concentrated notes of red and black fruits with hints of vanilla and spice. Enjoy its balance of savoury and fruity flavours with grilled lamb chops for an ideal pairing.
2 Cairanne Cru Rhones £13.50 Waitrose
Réserve Hospitaliers 14.5%
The village of Cairanne lies in the heart of the southern Rhône valley and is home to vineyards that have recently been awarded CRU status. Our cuvée pays homage to this appellation and to the Knights of the Hospitaliers de St Jean who invested the village in the 12th century. This Cairanne is produced from Grenache and Syrah grapes hand-picked at optimum ripeness. Partially aged in French oak barriques, the wine has developed lovely structure and richness with notes of morello cherries, chocolate and spice. A full-flavoured Rhône that is a perfect match to hearty stews and char-grilled steak or sausages.
3 FAMILLE PERRIN 'L'ANDÉOL' RASTEAU 2021/22 £17.00/£18.00 Majestic
Rasteau 2021/22 14.5
Grenache - Syrah
Château de Beaucastel is an estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape that’s world renowned for highly complex and ageworthy wines. The Perrin family who run it are just as famous as their much sought-after bottles. Happily, their expertise extends to other areas of the Southern Rhône which don’t warrant the same price tag as Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Up until 2010, Rasteau was an appellation known mostly for sweet, fortified wines, but winemakers like the Perrins are changing that. They make this Grenache blend from 70-year-old vines, with only a small amount of the wine being aged in oak to let its fruity flavours shine. Expect an elegant and silky red, with flavours of black cherry and wild berries, plus notes of dark chocolate, garrigue herbs and spice – just the thing for rich red meat dishes.
4 ALAIN JAUME ‘LES CHAMPAUVINS’ ORGANIC CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2021/22 £17.00/£19.00 Majestic
Alain Jaume ‘Les Champauvins’ Organic Côtes Du Rhône 2021/22 15%
Granache - Syrah Mourvèdre
The Jaume family have been producing distinctive wines in the Rhône Valley since 1826. And you can taste their expertise in this bold and fruity red. It’s sourced from a vineyard just a stone's throw from the northern edge of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Here, gnarled vines grow on sunbaked pebbles, sharing near-identical growing conditions to its iconic neighbour. Awarded an impressive 92 points by wine critic James Suckling, this is your chance to pick up an outstanding Rhône blend for less. Expect complex flavours of ripe forest fruits, plus savoury notes of dried herbs, black pepper and spices. Its full body and soft tannins will complement the rich flavours of red meats, truffles or mushrooms.
5 Le Roc des Dentiles - Gigondas £22.00 Waitrose
Roc des Dentelles Gigondas Gabriel Meffre 14.5%
Named after the majestic foothills of les Dentelles de Montmirail, icon of the Gigondas appellation le Roc des Dentelles is produced from the noble grapes Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Grown on a mosaic of terroirs of marl limestone deposits with a mix of sand and clay from the Tertiary era, this impressive Gigondas has a complex nose of ripe blackberries and a touch of spice. Juicy, well balanced and harmonious, it delivers delicate notes of chocolate on the finish. This full bodied red wine is delicious with savoury red meat dishes, grilled steak and soft, ripe cheese. Enjoy this wine now or up to 8 years from vintage.
6 La Grange St Martin - Chateauneuf du Pape £51.00 Magnum Waitrose
La Grange St Martin Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape 14.5%
Granache - Syrah - Mourvèdre 30% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 40% other permitted varieties.
This beaucastel chateauneuf du pape 2020 is a tasty nice red wine, native from France on the vintage 2020. This red wine is from Vallée du Rhône. This wine is mainly made of Cinsault. This beaucastel chateauneuf du pape 2020 contains 75cl will pair well with cheeses agreement. This beaucastel chateauneuf du pape 2020 is made by Château de Beaucastel and will be a delight and has been lovingly tested by our squad of wine specialists in order to ensure you the best emotion.
Cheeses
Cheeses
Morbier
Compte AOP
French Brie
Le Rustique
St Agur
Port Salut
Tomme de savoie
Tomme de Vache aux Truffles
Picos Blue
Formet D'Ambert
Delice de Bourgogne
Bleud'Avergne
Reblochon
Saint Marcellin
Roquefort
Epoisse
Martin’s Sourdough Selection
A request from Martin
I’m going to do the 10k Cancer Research Night Walk in London on 20th Sept. I’ve spent the last 6 months working at Cancer Research so I decided to sign up alongside other folk from my company. If anyone would like to sponsor me then please reach out privately. No pressure for anyone.
Martin
