What's better than Cote du Rhone?!
What's better than Cote du Rhone?
I'm a huge fan of French Cote du Rhone Village. Yet as soon as you go "upmarket" in the category you seem to lose the Grenache which in my view is what makes it so nice. What, other than Chateau Neuf du Pape, is a "higher end" French red that is not just Syrah/Shiraz but a blend?
Answers:
If you're a fan of the Southern Rhone blends in which Grenache is the main grape of the blend, then you may wish to try Gigondas. The wines from the Gigondas appelation are primarily based on Grenache with Syrah and Mourvedre making up smaller components of the blend.
Although some are pricy, there are a number of affordable and reliable examples from large producers like Chapoutier and E. Guigal. Some people refer to Gigondas affectionately as "poor man's Chateuneuf du Pape."
Cheers!
Wine drinking should be for enjoyment. Drink what you like not what is high end.
Try St. Emilion or Pomerol. Both are Bordeaux reds and both are fantastic.
Google both of them and you'll get loads of information.