20
Rhone Rangers DC: Free VIP Tickets!
Posted by | Posted in Wine Events | Posted on 05-20-2014
It’s no secret that I love America’s Rhone-style wines. So I’m thrilled that the Rhone Rangers will be visiting DC on Wednesday, June 4! They’ll be visiting the Long View Gallery at 1234 9th St NW
Terroirist is able to offer TWO VIP TICKETS to the Grand Tasting. From 5:30pm till 9:00pm, attendees will have the chance to taste more than 80 wines from Rhone Rangers member wineries. A selection of appetizers will also be available.
VIP tickets are $90 in advance. General Admission tickets, which cover the tasting from 7:00pm till 9:00pm, are $55 in advance. For a $10 discount, use the promo code “terroirist.”
Earlier that day, from 10:30am till noon, I’ll be leading a panel discussion exploring “The State of the American Rhone Nation.” The discussion will feature a tasting of eight different wines. If you can sneak away from your desk, please join! Tickets are just $35.
To have a chance to win a FREE PAIR OF VIP TICKETS (a $180 value!), just leave a comment naming your FAVORITE American Rhone-style wine. For an extra entry, tweet to me (@terroiristblog) and the Rhone Rangers (@RhoneRangers) with your favorite American Rhone-style wine, using the hashtag #RRWADC.
The contest ends Tuesday, May 27, at midnight ET. Good luck!
One of my favorites comes from Rusack Vineyards in Santa Barbara Country. Their Ballard Canyon Syrah is excellent–velvety and aromatic. Also generally love Rusack. They have a terrific tasting room/patio and are doing some important Rhone-style wine making in the new Ballard Canyon AVA.
My favorite american Rhone of the moment is the Rotie Cellars Southern White. A blend of 60% Viognier, 25% Roussanne, 15% Marsanne.
Cline’s Old Vine Mourvedre has always felt like a mistress, and I’m a very loyal husband.
The Fausse Piste Garde Mange syrah is my winner.
Edmunds St John — all of them
About 10 years ago, (in a former life when I was in the wine biz) I was fortunate enough to stumble upon Beckmen Vineyards and their Cuvee le Bec offering at a trade show. This wine was eye opening for me at the time, as I remember being shocked by its California origins. Now, it is routinely one of my lesser known “go-to” red bottles. It has a great combination of complexity and drinkability-with or without food. At the time, it was my introduction to the Santa Ynez valley, and prompted my exploration of Zaca Mesa, Rideau, and others over the years. Still, it remains a personal favorite as a CA Rhone-style wine at an amazing value.
Halcon Aturas!
I’m still a bit of a novice to the American Rhone style wines, though I would love to learn more. I have had more whites than reds up until now, and particularly enjoyed the beautifully floral Viognier blend Four Mile Creek from Novy
Saxum Broken Stones, yum
My favorite is Grenache from the Santa Ynez area, especially if its from Kaena, Zaca Mesa or Beckman!
I was a big fan of the Kenneth Volk Mouvedre from the Lime Kiln Valley in California (I had the ’09). The depth of flavor helped get me interested in wines made from less well-known Rhone grapes.
the Viognier ’12 from Jefferson Vineyards-love the taste and smell of all those fruits!