Rhône Wine Week Ireland: 3rd – 8th November
With Rhône Wine Week only a few days away, it seemed fitting that when faced with the dilemma of the second bottle choice in Sager + Wilde on Sunday evening, we opted for a Domaine August Clape Côtes du Rhône 2011. Although very tight when first opened, a bit of time in the decanter did wonders, and by the end of the bottle we wished we had the capacity for more!
Despite French wines making only very brief appearances on The Vine Inspiration, when I do venture outside of Italy’s borders, the Rhône is one of my favoured destinations. I have a particular soft spot for Domaine Montirius and their excellent value biodynamic Vacqueyras, and I always have a few bottles of Yann Chave’s delicious Crozes-Hermitage to hand at home.
Rhône Wine Week Ireland is the fruit of the labour of Emma and Simon Tyrrell, who have worked tirelessly promoting the wines from the region. It runs from 3rd-8th November, so check out www.rhonewineweekireland.com to get details of all the events. Some of the highlights include The Big Rhône Quiz on Monday 3rd, dinners and tastings at Ely Winebar and Donnybrook Fair, Susan Boyle performing ‘A Wine Goose Chase’ in L’Atitude 51 in Cork, and The Big Rhône tasting in Ely IFSC on 6th November. Bars, restaurants and retailers countrywide are participating so there’s sure to be an event near you.
Image Credit: Christophe Grilhé via Inter-Rhône
Disclosure: Rhône Wine Week sent me some promo items including a very cool red apron which I shall don with pride all week!
First time I came across Yann Chave at Ely CHQ 6 years ago, the Croze 04 was on the list. A modern approach to wine making but cut from the same cloth as his father and uncle.