Tag Archives: Grenache

Paso Robels 2: Tablas Creek Vineyard Review

Posted on January 18, 2016 by waywardwine

Last Monday, Wayward Wine began its tour of Paso Robles with the wild and small Fratelli Perata Winery. Today we review the opposite end of the spectrum, with international implant, Tablas Creek Vineyard.

Located in the cooler (for Paso), Western hills of the Santa Lucia coastal range: Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Beaucastel, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Paso Robles, Paso Robles California, RHONE, Syrah, tablas creek, travel, wine | 1 Comment

Temples, Towers, Beaujolais? And Duché D’Uzes a New AOC: Nîmes, France (P2)

Posted on July 7, 2014 by waywardwine

Part 2, Day 121, continues our visit to Nîmes: birthplace of denim (get it, de Nîmes). After last post’s Roman arenas and temples, we hike to the park. Amidst Fall’s colors, fountains, and walkways rests the Temple to Diana:

The ruin still feels lifted, intricate, delicate: much like the following wine. Although this is Southern France, it is November, and we buy the one wine that matters: Beaujolais Nouveau.
Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged amphitheater, Beaujolais, Duché D'Uzes, Grenache, Nimes, Nimes bulls, Orenia, Philippe Nusswitz, rome, Syrah | 2 Comments

Thirsty Thursday: Château La Roque, Pic Saint Loup, Languedoc, France 2010

Posted on February 27, 2014 by waywardwine

Thursday: it is neither Wednesday nor Friday.

For the employed, work still binds your thoughts. A distant weekend glows but faintly. Internet cat porn provides a fleeting, albeit empty distraction

Such a lost weekday deserves a decent drink: something real but not demanding.

Enter Château La Roque. Winter still grips us, so my palate races to the Mediterranean: specifically Pic Saint Loup in the Languedoc:

Vines surround its eponymous mowhawk-mountain, Pic Sanit-Loup. The warm sea and cool plateau inland traps this region in a sort of goldilockian limbo. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged biodynamic, Grenache, herbs de provence, Jack Boutin, Jacques Figuette, Languedoc, Mourvèdre, Pic Saint Loup, Syrah, viticulture | 3 Comments

Torbreck, Cuvée Juveniles, Barossa Valley, Australia 2010

Posted on January 30, 2014 by waywardwine

Forget Yellowtail. Forget Crocodile Dundee. Forget everything you know about Australia.

Instead, put your mind in Paris. Get off at the Pyramide Metro, not far from the Louvre. Wiggle your way to 47 rue de Richelieu, and then, behold: Juveniles:

Now think of Scotland. Because inside you will find fantastic British farmhouse cheese, charcuterie, and Haggis always on the menu. Tim Johnston, a Scot ex-pat, founded it decades ago.

But now, turn to South East France, because Juveniles is a wine bar, and gained its cult following for pouring the Rhône Valley’s best wines. But then, Tim shocked Paris. He poured Australian Shiraz.

Your head may be spinning, but follow the thread. Australia grows Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and other varietals typical of the Rhône Valley. Many vines predate the French (thanks to dodging phyloxera). And what would pair better with haggis for cult Rhône drinkers than Shiraz. Continue reading →

Posted in EMPTIED BOTTLES, Grenache | Tagged Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley, Craig Isbel, Dave Powell, David Powell, Grenache, haggis, Juveniles, Juveniles Bar, Mouvedre, Paris, Shiraz, Syrah, Tim Johnston, Torbreck | 1 Comment

ENTRÉE PARIS 5: Maison Rouge’s CO HO LA and Jacky Blot’s Brut Tradition: EU Austerity Drinking Tour #44

Posted on October 14, 2013 by waywardwine

This Monday’s EU Austerity Drinking Adventure (day 80) finds us winding up our last days in Paris.

We revisit Montmarte and its Sacre Coeur to find both changed. Today, the sun’s glare brings out tourists and pick pockets. Inside, a moment of song and ritual seems lovely, but crowded.

Tumbling down Montmarte towards the city center we halt at Le Repaire de Bacchus: a wine-geek oasis in this urban desert. Continue reading →