For those who need some arm twisting to be convinced they should attend the 20th edition of Hospice du Rhone in Paso Robles from April 26 to April 28, 2012, here are 22 reasons.
The 22 grape varieties used in making Rhone (and Languedoc-Roussillon) wines:
- Bourboulenc: (Burr-buh-lanc) light bodied, delicate floral, citrus, peach, melon, earth
- Camarese: (Cam-are-ess) firm, tannins, delicate aromatics, pepper, spice
- Carignane Noir: (Care-ig-non No-our) tannic, solid acidity, good color, cherry, raspberry, pepper
- Cinsault Noir: (Sahn-so No-our) elegant, soft & lightly aromatic, strawberry, raspberry, smoke, earth
- Clairette Blanc: (Claret Blan) big bodied, floral, aromatic, honeysuckle, tropical flowers, tropical fruits
- Clairette Rose: (Clare-et Rose) light aromatics, fruit notes, soft strawberry, cherry, rose petal
- Counoise Noir: (Coon-wahz No-our) lively acidity, spice, richness, raspberry, cherry, cranberry
- Grenache Blanc: (Gra-nash blan) big bodied, soft, delicate peach, melon, pear
- Grenache Gris: (Gra-Nash Gree) full-bodied, light in color, delicate strawberry, cherry, rose petal
- Grenache Noir: (Gra-Nash o-our) big bodied, supple, & rich strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, black pepper
- Marsanne: (Mar-san) broad palate, soft & rich, peach, nectarine, stone fruits, tuberose, sweet nuts
- Mourvèdre: (More-ved) tannic, deeply colored, aromatic, black currant, dark cherries, leather, smoke, earth
- Muscardin: (Mus-car-dan) floral, aromatic, firmly structured, rose petal, barnyard, earth
- Muscat a Petits Grains: (Mus-cat ah Pet-eet Grahn) aromatic, floral, musk, honey, honeysuckle, lily, stone fruit
- Picpoul Blanc: (Peek-pool Blan) floral, soft, aromatic, pear, earth, lily, daisy, wildflowers
- Picpoul Noir: (Peek-pool No-our) floral, elegant, aromatic, rose, violet, dark cherry
- Roussanne: (Roo-sahn) firmly structured, powerful, very rich, apricot, honey, almond, nutmeg, honeysuckle, iris
- Syrah/Shiraz: (C-rah)/(She-raz) highly colored, firmly structured and aromatic, plum, raspberry, blueberry, blackcurrant, violet, roasted meats, smoke, chocolate, pepper, anise
- Terret Noir: (Tare-it No-our) delicate, perfumed, bright acidity, rose petal, lavender, dark berries, spice
- Ugni Blanc: (Ewn-yee Blan) delicate fruit, good acidity, pear, honey-dew melon, earth
- Vaccarese: (Vac-car-ess) aromatic, firmly tannic, floral, pepper, spice, earth, smoke
- Viognier: (Vee-ohn-yea) big bodied, very aromatic, complex apricot, musk, peaches, grapefruit, lychee, papaya, mango, tropical flowers
I have to admit, Camarese, Terret Noir, Vaccarese draw a blank as hard as I try to remember.
What about you?
(* List and descriptions as offered in Hospice du Rhone program pages)