Jane's Weekly Wines from the Atlanta Wine School PRINT AND GO VERSION May 11th, 2006 Range of the Rhone *************************************************************************************** RETAILERS WHO SUPPORT THIS COLUMN AND HAVE HAD THIS LIST OF WINES IN ADVANCE. Corner Wine & Art, 1402 N. Highland Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30306 -- 404-875-8810 Home Town Wine & Spirits, 4856 Hog Mountain Rd, Flowery Branch, GA --770-965-6058 The Colors of Wine, 2355 Cumberland Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30339 -- 770-432-2828 Sigman Bottle Shop, 425 Sigman Road - Conyers, GA 30012 -- 770-929-8797 Shiraz, 675 Pulaski Street, Suite 400, Athens, GA 30601 -- 706-208-0010 Windward Beverage, 12915 Hwy 9, Alpharetta, GA 30004 -- 678-566-3301 IS YOUR WINE SHOP NOT LISTED HERE? HAVE THEM CALL 770-668-0435 *************************************************************************************** J. Vidal-Fleury Côtes-du-Rhône (Blanc) 2004 Côtes-du-Rhône Medium-bodied dry white wine; medium gold. Spicy, floral aromas characteristic of Viognier, peachy flavors fill the palate with intense fruit. Pleasant, long finish with decent acidity for this variety. Clean, peachy finish. Not over-the-top. Well made. Excellent value. Not complex, but not sappy either. In business since the 18th century, the company is owned by Guigal (see below). Pronounced [vee-dahl flur-ree]. Grape: Viognier. Moderately cool, about 55 degrees, in tulip-shaped white wine glasses. Butternut squash-filled ravioli with brown butter or cream sauce; sautéed soft-shell crab with a bit of curry powder mixed into the seasoned flour; lemon Pommery shrimp or chicken; baked salmon with a yogurt/dill marinade; seafood salads; paella; chicken salad with tarragon and almonds; baked garlic halibut; shrimp with garlic or sauce Rémoulade, pecan-crusted tilapia; veal scaloppini al limone Georgia Crown $14 85 ************************************************************************************* Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Blanc) 2004 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Medium-bodied dry white wine; medium pale yellow. Gentle aromas of fresh white stone fruits, with a slight hint of anise; restrained white stone fruit flavors with decided minerality. Long, clean, crisp, fruit-filled finish. Hand harvested. Family owned. White Chateauneuf-du-Pape comes as a surprise to many enthusiasts, who think only of the appellation's red wines. But I often have made white wine enthusiasts out of red wine maniacs with this genre. A classic Chateauneuf-du-Pape composition: 30% Clairette: 20% Grenache blanc: 25% Bourboulenc: 22% Roussane et 3% Picpoul and Picardan. Not for keeping, maybe 1-2 more years. Moderately chilled, about 55 degrees, in tulip-shaped white wine glasses. (Psst: This is really delicious!) A nearly total meal deal: Lightly salted potato chips with "French" onion dip; crab/lobster dip; veal scaloppini al limone; baked or grilled halibut; baked or poached salmon; wild striped bass; crab legs or crab cakes; poached mild white fish (quenelles de brochet) with a light cream sauce, chicken salad with tarragon and almonds; farfalle with wilted greens; goat cheese Empire Distributing $45 91 ************************************************************************************* Paul Jaboulet Aîné "Parallèle 45" Rosé 2004 Côtes-du-Rhône Medium-full-bodied dry rosé wine; medium deep reddish pink. Somewhat why aromas offer hints of red fruits that bloom on the palate, as strawberry, red raspberry and red currant take over, with lovely spice notes. Silky texture, good acidity and a long, if slightly hot, finish, although alcohol is just 13.5%. Grapes: Grenache (50%), Cinsault (40%), Syrah (10%). Chilled, about 50 degrees, in tulip-shaped white wine glasses. Rich but light foods: Salamis and similar cured meats; chicken or ham croquettes; empanadas; Croque Monsieur or Madame (grilled ham and cheese sandwiches); tomatoes stuffed with shrimp salad; garlic shrimp or shrimp with Rémoulade sauce; Cajun fare (if not too hot); mild curry chicken salad; deep-fried catfish or fried chicken; grilled ham steak, bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with caramelized onions National Distributing Co. $12 87 ************************************************************************************* Château Joanny Côtes-du-Rhône (Rouge) 2004 Côtes-du-Rhône Medium-bodied dry red wine; medium deep purple red. Gentle aromas of red fruits and spice; some floral character; clean ripe red fruit flavors--raspberry and red currant--with a silky texture and easy tannins. Easy fruit-filled finish. No oak. Grapes: Grenache (60%); Syrah (20%); Cinsault, Carignan, Mourvèdre (20%). Fine value. Serve cool, about 60-65 degrees, in large tulip-shaped glasses. Black olives (or tepanade); barbecue and smoked meats, with or without sauce; smoked or roast turkey; rabbit or chicken chasseur (tomatoes and mushrooms); peppered liver pâté; grilled tuna, ham steak or chicken; pasta with meat sauces; braised oxtails or short ribs cooked in red wine; grilled sausage LaFayette Selections $14 88 ************************************************************************************* E. Guigal St.-Joseph (Rouge) 2001 St.-Joseph (Northern Rhône) Medium-bodied dry red wine; dark purple red. Fine dark fruit aromas, black currant most notably, with black currant flavors, with a touch of black plum and the merest hint of mint. Now it's there; now it's gone. Touch of dried thyme replaces it in the nose and on the palate. Deep and broad in mid palate. Very easy tannins. Spends 16 months in second-fill barrels, but wine is not "oaky." Elegant, balanced, classic. Grape: Syrah. Rare white St.-Joseph is made from Marsanne. West bank St.-Joseph is lighter-bodied than many Northern Rhônes, but still very rewarding. Potential keeper up to 10 years. Moderately cool room temperature, about 65 degrees, in large tulip-shaped glasses. Definite food wine: Rabbit or chicken chasseur (hunter style, with mushrooms and tomato); roast pork loin, chicken, Cornish hen, turkey and duck, casserole of ground lamb, tomato, and a spread of mashed potato on top; grilled or roasted Cornish hens with raisin bread stuffing; firm, well-aged cheeses (but not pungent) Atlanta Wholesale Wine 91 $31 ************************************************************************************* Domaine Brousset Cairanne 2003 Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Medium-bodied dry red wine; deep purple red. Intense aromas of dark berries with an intoxicating hint of wet hay and tobacco; later anise joins the picture. Juicy dark berry flavors, a brambly character, spice notes. Lively on the palate, with easy fruit-derived tannins. Grapes: Grenache (60%); Syrah (15%); Mourvèdre (15%); Carignan (5%); Cinsault (5%). Very pretty work. Some vinification in small, old oak barrels; the rest in tanks or in large oak vats. Cool room temperature, about 65 degrees, in large tulip-shaped glasses. Rich dishes: Roast duck; chicken or rabbit chasseur; leg of lamb (cooked just to pink); roast turkey; smoked meats; barbecue; grilled steak; pork loin; rabbit or chicken chasseur, pasta with meat sauces, grilled or smoked sausages; firm aged cheeses (not strong or pungent ones) Empire Distributing $19 92