May 5, 2004
When in RhoneIt's not exactly the Rhone region of France, it's Paso Robles!
It's the 12th annual Hospice du Rhone Celebration, May 20-22 in Paso Robles. As the information flyer says, "Replicating Hospice du Rhone would take you months of traveling the globe. Here's your chance to do it all in three days...and avoid the jet lag."
Thursday, May 20, Friday, May 21, Saturday, May 22 will be three action packed days as Rhone producers from around the world will unite at the Mid-State Fairgrounds for an incredible time of meals, seminars, tastings, and a one-of-a-kind barrel auction to overwhelm even the most Rhone wine fanatic.
The Rhone, by the way, is a wine producing region and valley in France from which the name is derived. The south includes Bandol and Chateauneuf Du Pape. The northern RhoneValley is home to such world-famous appellations as Hermitage, Cote Rotie, Chateau Grillet and Condrieu.
The most important grape of the northern Rhone is a varietal called syrah, and legend has it that shiraz cuttings were brought into France during the Crusades from Shiraz in Persia (now Iran), and that over the centuries, shiraz became syrah in French. Interestingly, the Australians call it shiraz rather than syrah to this day, but it is the same grape.
In the 1970s, Estrella Vineyard east of Paso Robles was an important pioneer in planting the syrah grape in California, and visionary Bob Lindquist of Qupe dazzled the world with a string of legendary syrahs from that vineyard starting with the 1982 vintage.
Later on in the last century, two other important visionaries and proponents of "everything Rhone," planted vineyards in San Luis Obispo County and started producing consummate Rhone varietal wines-John Alban, who has his winery and vineyard in the Edna Valley, and Robert Haas, the owner of Vineyard Brands, an importer of French wine including Beaucastel of Chateauneu Du Pape.
Tablas Creek west of Paso Robles is a partnership between Robert Haas and the Perrin Family, owners of Beaucastel.
Given this historical pedigree, it seems fitting that the Hospice du Rhone celebration has its roots in San Luis Obispo County.
Some of the events set for this Rhonefest include:
For reservations and details, call (805) 784-9543, or visit www.hospicedurhone.com
- The annual "Rhone-n-Bowl" bowling tournament at Wilson's Lanes Bowling Alley putting winemakers and enthusiasts from around the world in some friendly competition, with fabulous appetizers from Chef Rick.
- Wines of the famous Domaine Tempier from the Bandol region of France.
- "Much Ado About Mourvedre," that great red Rhone grape variety also known by its Spanish name, Mataro.
- Saturday luncheon and barrel auction.
Today's Cinco de Mayo!
For me this means the chile verde or chile colorado and a cold Negra Modelo from El Taco de Mexico on Broadway near the Santa Maria Inn, or a delicious shredded beef soft taco and marguerita from Casa Manana, also on Broadway.
And my tip for delicious margueritas from scratch! Always use 100 Blue Agave tequila such as El Tesoro silver, Patron silver, or Sauza Reposado, Grand Marnier and fresh limes. With limes two for a dollar, I want to thank my neighbors for their Christmas present last year-a Bearss Lime tree.
Salud!
Rhone lover and Santa Maria Times Wine columnist, Bob Senn, lives in the bucolic Los Alamos Valley and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
