Getting "Giggy" with Gigondas
On advice from my local wine merchant, The Village Corner, and local bloggers, the Gang of Pour (http://blogs.gangofpour.com), I recently had the pleasure to partake in a wine from one of my favorite wine regions, the Rhone Valley. It was Sunday afternoon, rainy and cool. Michigan State was playing Tennessee for a birth to the Final Four followed by Duke versus Baylor for the final spot. I rushed home from a meeting and popped the 2007 Domaine de Font Sane Gigondas and am I glad I did.
The Rhone valley produces many great wines such as Hermitage and Chateauneuf du Pape It also produces great value wines such as Cotes du Rhone. Straddling both categories are some very good wines at reasonable prices including wines from the region of Gigondas (pronounced “zhi-gon-dahs”). Often referred to as the "poor man’s Chateauneuf du Pape", these wines are very similar to the style of wines of Chateauneuf albeit slightly lesser in quality. The quality on many Gigondas wines have, however, greatly increased over the last decade.
The village of Gigondas, in the Rhone River valley, is in the Dentelles de Montmirail Mountains. AOC ("Appellation d’origine contrôlée") rules dictate that the vineyards must be a mixture of the same grapes from which Cotes du Rhone are made. It is important to note that this is not a requirement on which grapes are utilized in any particular bottling. A maximum of 80% of a vineyard may be Grenache with a minimum of 15% each of Syrah and Mourvedre required. In addition, with the exception of Carignan (which is prohibited), a maximum of 10% of all other southern Rhone permitted grape varieties may be grown. Traditionally wines were fermented in cement tanks, but these days, many wineries have switched to oak barrels. Gigondas produces about 5.5 million bottles each vintage. While most of the wine produced is red, there is also a bit or Rosè made (which also must be 80% Grenache).
The soil in Gigondas is mostly limestone and clay. Many of the vineyards are dug out on steep terraces cut into the mountain sides. The vineyards are as high as 600 meters. Between the higher altitude and the ever present Mistral winds (which blow down the Rhone valley), Gigondas is a cooler microclimate than its nearby neighbor Chateauneuf. In fact, harvest is usually a couple of weeks later as the grapes take a bit longer to ripen. The finished wines still provide a similar experience to Chateauneuf’s at an often, less expensive price. Gigondas wines are more rustic and powerful. Elegance is not a term usually associated with these wines. The Grenache grape produces wines that are higher in alcohol than most grapes and offer cherry, raspberry and plum flavors. Syrah and Mourvedre in the mix provide some meaty and spice notes. Many of them have a black licorice quality as well. www.intowine.com/gigondas-wine-rhone-valleys-value-alternative-chateauneuf-du-pape
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The 2007 Domaine de Font Sane Gigondas is 72% grenache, 23% syrah, and 5% mourvedre. This bottle is sweet and full bodied, powerful, ripe, deep, and dark. I got tastes of blackberry, vanilla, mocha, and raisins. The nose had wonderful floral scents. This is this large, powerful, and fabulous Gigondas! It comes in at about $27.00 per bottle, but compared to Chateauneuf du Papes at a minimum generally of $40.00, this is a great deal and a great wine. If you want to treat yourself to a wonderful Rhone experience, give this a shot! Cheers!
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