cotes du rhone

The Fair is over, it’s getting darker earlier, parents are thinking about getting “back to school” clothes for the kids…Summer is ‘setting’.  I’m not saying it’s over, so please don’t panic.  There is still plenty of nice days left before the big chill comes.  But nights have been a bit cooler and with that change brings the return of red wines which may have taken a back seat to Roses and crisp whites in the last couple of months.

If you’re looking for a wine to make your dry red drinkers happy over this holiday weekend, I suggest you try the Clerget Cotes Du Rhone for the astounding price of $6.99. This is a lighter bodied CDR but it is not too thin. The blend is the classic Grenache-Syrah combination. This wine has a good amount of sour cherry and plum notes with a bit of pepper and spice in a smooth, long finish.
This may not be your first choice for Easter dinner if Ham is the main course, but it can work if you have guests who are dyed in the wool dry red drinkers. It will certainly work with roast leg of lamb, pork loin or Prime Rib. It will even go well with smoked kielbasa with horseradish. In other words this wine is quite versatile, and if you eat chocolate bunnies, peeps and jelly beans with the Clerget, more power to you!

Labor Day weekend is here. Although summer isn’t technically over for another three weeks or so, we all know that this weekend is the last hurrah. Kids will be back in school and the days will get shorter. It’s time to think about Autumn and wines that work in the seasonal transition. Cotes du Rhone is an appealing choice because of its fruit and spice properties that somehow gently welcome in Fall without a shock to the system.

Case in point is the 2010 Chateau Marjolet which is from a vineyard near Avignon. This regal purple colored wine is comprised of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. The nose was light with the subtle aroma of cedar and Bing cherry. The taste is predominately cherry and spice with a hint of raspberry. The finish is very dry with firm yet soft tannins. Try this wine with beef based comfort foods like pot roast with plenty of onions or meatloaf and gravy.