12/16/05 New favorite - Cote Du Rhone

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and as many of you know my new favorite wine is usually the wine that is in my glass at the time. I simply do not waste the calories drinking wine that I do not enjoy. So today I will share with you a wine that I have been tasting and drinking quite a bit recently. It is Cote Du Rhone. Cotes Du Rhone spelled C-o-t-e-s D-u R-h-o-n-e these are wines from France that seem to fair well with the turkey and roasted meats and hams of the season. The appellation of Côtes du Rhône, situated along the Rhône river, produces mainly red wines, but its whites and its rosés are also remarkably flavorful. I specifically enjoy one from the producer Jaboulet and Jaboulet's Parallele 45 is my new favorite. The Parallele 45 refers to the latitude that is halfway between the equator and the north pole and also happens to run through the vineyard. This is a Grenache based red wine, that is superb, loaded with unyielding pepper and blackberry followed by a long warm finish. This wine surprises you with its range, its strong flavors, and its balance. I guess we wouldn't expect less from one of the finest producers in the region. But I will add to it's loveliness by telling you that it retails for only about $10.00 a bottle. I just don't know where we can find a better value for the holidays. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.