Rhone! The variances!

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從 Berkeley 回 Santa Cruz 的路上,再次於 Redwood City 下車,去了 K&L wines 參加這天的 Rhone region 品酒。

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On the way back to Santa Cruz from Berkeley, I get off CalTrain at Redwood City and visit K&L wines again for the Rhone region tasting.

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未成年請勿飲酒

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在Rhone區用來釀製葡萄酒的葡萄品種有很多,且混合釀製也很常見,不像 Burgundy 大多以 Pinot Noir、Chardonnay 分別釀製紅白酒,也不像 Bordeaux 聞名的紅酒多以 Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, cabernet Franc, Malbec 和 Verdot釀製而成。更不像是美國及其他新世界的葡萄酒多以單品種為主流。

這天品嚐了兩款白酒、一款粉紅、五款紅酒。

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The wines of Rhone region are made from various grape varieties, very diverse, and usually blended for fermentation. Not like Burgundy which majorly uses Pinot Noir for red and Chardonnay for white. And not like Bordeaux, usually uses Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, cabernet Franc, Malbec and Verdot for its famous red. And not like USA and other new world regions, usually use single major variety for both red and white.

Today's tasting contains 2 white, 1 Rose and 5 red wines.

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2007 Clairette de Bellegarde Mas Carlot

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很簡單清爽的味道,很適合來作為品酒的開始。Clairette de Bellegrade 代表這款酒是用 Clairette Blanche 這個品種所釀製而成,此品種大多種植在法國的 Provence, Rhone 以及 Languedoc 區域。

迄未主要是柑橘類,乍聞之下會覺得跟 Chardonnay 有點像。不過喝起來卻又有點像 Sauvignon Blanc 帶有香瓜的味道。

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A simple start for today's wine tasting. The name "Clairette de Bellegrade" means this wine is made by Clairette Blanche grape variety, and this variety is widely cultivated in Provence, Rhone and Languedoc in France.

The smell is majorly citrus, and may make me relate it with Chardonnay. But there are still some differences, especially the taste which is similar to Sauvignon Blanc with light melon hint.

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2007 Cotes du Rhone Blanc Vincent Paris

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這個酒莊的葡萄園是在 Cornas AOC 區域,酒莊主人種植 Viognier 和 Roussane 來釀製此款酒,但這兩種葡萄並不是 Cornas AOC 的法定品種,所以這款酒就不能掛上 Cotes du Rhone AOC,而只能掛上 Cotes du Rhone。

香氣是非常甜美的荔枝與些微的甜桃味道。不過喝起來卻一點都不甜,且帶有些微但清爽的酸味。味道的對比讓人印象深刻。

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This wine is a blend of Viognier and Roussane. The winery grows these grape varieties in Cornas AOC, but these two grapes are not in the "Appellation" list of Cornas AOC. So, the wine can only be labeled with "Cotes du Rhone", not "Cotes du Rhone AOC".

Smells very sweet with leechy and peach. But the taste is very dry and with slightly refresh acidity. This contrast impress me very much.

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2008 Cotes du Luberon Rose Chateau La Canorgue

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用 Syrah, Grenache 和 Mourvèdre 做成的粉紅酒。淡粉紅色。主要為柑橘香味,香氣和酒精等味道很均衡,喝起來很順口,開頭會有些許的甜味,但接下來很明顯的酸味很棒。

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Rose, made from Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Light pink color. Balanced flavors which are majorly citrus. The palate begins with light sweet and end with dry and crisp acidity. I love the acidity.

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2007 Bugey Maison Angelot

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Gamay釀製。味道聞起來很像 Burgundy 紅酒,有丁香等香料氣味,還有一點烤肉香。品飲時主要有覆盆莓香氣,另外不甚厚重的丹寧與回甜都很棒。

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Gamay variety. The aromas are similar to Burgundy red (majorly Pinot Noir), contains clove and some spices flavors, and with a hint of BBQ. The taste is raspberry with slight tannins and after plate sweet.

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Cotes du Rhone Montirius

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一開始由酸橙的味道(很像小時候吃的橘紅色那種蜜餞的味道)開頭,接下來是黑櫻桃味道。用 Grenache, Syrah 和 Mourvèdre 釀製。延續性很好,另外我很喜歡那酸橙味道。

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The aromas break out with lime, then black cherry follows. Made with Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. The palate is lingering and I like the lime aroma.

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2007 Cotes du Roussillon Domaine Gardies "Mas las Cabes"

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60% Syrah, 30% Grenache 和 10% Carignan。黑胡椒味道以及明顯的黑莓味。

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60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Carignan. Spicy of black pepper and concentrated black berry.

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2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Paul Autard

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教皇新堡區!這大概是 Rhone region 裡最棒的產區。很顯著的黑色莓果味道。另外還有很迷人的毛皮香味,有點野性的味道但很吸引人。丹寧非常非常的年輕,大概可以放個七八年之後再來喝吧?

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Chateauneuf-du-Pape! This is almost the best region in Rhone. Concentrated black fruits and I love the fur aroma!!!!! Wild, but attractive!!! The tannins show that it is still very young, and I think it can be kept for more than 7 years.

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2007 Croze Hermitage Domaine Combier

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很明顯的覆盆莓香味,非常的吸引人。另外有白胡椒與花香。喝起來也有美味的覆盆莓香味,但還是個年輕的酒,放個幾年會更好。

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Very very concentrated raspberry, and very attractive. Besides, there are some white pepper flavor and flower hints. The taste is yummy raspberry, but still young.

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