This wine from the southern Rhone Valley is a Grenache and Syrah blend we recently enjoyed with dinner at the Bistro at Maumee Wines. It delivers the beauty of a Chateauneuf-du-Pape without the commensurate price tag.
The winery is named for an ancient church which was a haven in the Middle Ages for people seeking to avoid the plague. It was said to have a miraculous healing fountain.
Like most Old World wines, this wine is labeled with its geographic location and the winemaking authorities set strict guidelines for the wines that are produced there, including the grapes allowed. Grenache predominates this bottle, which also features Syrah. The Grenache provides soft and fruity notes while the Syrah adds earth and a full body.
The aroma was beautiful and the Gigondas proved its versatility by pairing well with an assortment of entrees (beef, lamb, chicken and scallops). Flavors included tart cherry and and rich red fruit. There was a smidge of earthiness and medium tannins. The finish lingered as we savored our wine and tried to figure out what islands lie to the east of Greenland on the map displayed on the wall near our table.
The Notre Dame Gigondas is a great French value, coming in at under $30, and offered a refreshing fountain of vino for our dinner.
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