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What is a Rhône-style wine?
I N t E L L I G E N C E F O R t H E W I N E C O N S U M E R
by Len Napolitano
A wine described as Rhône-style imitates the great wines that
come from the area of southeastern France known as the Rhône
Valley. Just as a Bordeaux-style wine means a wine blended with
traditional grape varieties of the Bordeaux region – primarily
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, for example,
the traditional grapes of the Rhône region make up a Rhônestyle
wine. The Rhône Valley grapes are different from Bordeaux
grapes and therefore the wine styles are distinctly different, too.
Syrah, probably the most recognized Rhône grape, has grown
in popularity among American wine drinkers. Only about 10
years ago, Syrah was not in the top ten list of grapes planted in
California when ranked by acreage. Today, it is among the fastest
growing varieties, challenging Merlot in terms of popularity
among wine drinkers.
Syrah is a late-ripening grape, able to grow well in both warm
and cool climates, and known for its depth of character and
potential for greatness. It has dense, dark fruit layers that can
explode with flavors of plum, blackberry, exotic spice and cocoa.
It has a tannic backbone to complement its bold fruit but is not
normally as tannic as Cabernet. I enjoy it as an alternative to
Cabernet Sauvignon, when I’m eating game or beef prepared
with a rich sauce or gravy.
Other popular red Rhône grapes are Grenache and
Mourvedre, lesser-known than Syrah but very fine grapes that
are often used to blend with Syrah. In fact, I’ve had some
California Grenache that had as much finesse and personality as
Syrah, but finishes softer in the mouth. Grenache leans to light
berry characteristics of strawberry and raspberry, whereas
Mourvedre tends to have more blackberry flavor and a more
structured mouthfeel. These three grapes of the Rhône, when
combined in a California-style wine, have become so successful
working together that they are sometimes referred to as GSM,
meaning a Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre blend.
When talking about Rhône-style wines, one name that always
is raised is Châteaneuf-du-Pape. This is perhaps the most
famous sub-region within the southern portion of France’s
Rhône Valley, a place where most wines are also blends of Syrah,
Grenache and Mourvedre grapes, although, officially, a total of
13 different Rhône grape varieties can be included in a wine
labeled as Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Styles range from layers of
elegant fruit in an understated, classic European wine style to a
more robust and muscular approach that resembles a California
style.
Viognier, perhaps the most popular white grape of Rhônestyle
wine can be very aromatic, like a bouquet of flowers, with
a smooth peach theme. Interestingly, Viognier is frequently
blended with red grapes in addition to other white Rhône
grapes, like Roussanne and Marsanne, also both very aromatic
but with Roussane being the more structured of the two.
Len Napolitano lives in San Luis Obispo County and is certified in wine by the Society of Wine Educators,
Wine & Spirits Education Trust and Chicago Wine School and continually gains knowledge from his frequent contact
with California winemakers. More information is on his website, www.wineology.com.
Send your questions about wine to: wineologist@earthlink.net or by mail to Len Napolitano in care of
Wine Country This Week magazine. Wineology is a registered trademark of Len Napolitano.
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