For this month’s roundtable, Temecula Valley is talking about Rhone white varietals. Unfamiliar territory, you say? Well, that’s what this blog post is for! Here’s five fun facts about these refreshing grapes that you can toss around at your next wine party:
- The four main grapes in Rhone whites are Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc
- A white Rhone blend consists of two or more white grapes from its namesake appellation – the famous Rhone wine region in France, which is situated in the Rhone river valley.
- The Northern Rhone region is characterized by harsh winters and warm summers while Southern Rhone has a more Mediterranean climate with milder winters and hot summers.
- Top four regions for growing Rhone whites are California, Australia, South Africa, and Rhone (of course.)
- Common descriptors include honeysuckle, green apple, peach, nut, and spice
For examples of Temecula Valley Rhone whites, try:
- Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery 2009 Viogner “Buon Vicino”, $18
- Keyways Vineyard & Winery 2009 Roussanne, $27
- South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, 2007 GVR (Rhone blend), $20
