An Extracurricular Experiment In Flip Flopping Reds

We have a fun little experiment for you today -- an extracurricular assignment to fascinate and delight.

Do you enjoy drinking red Côtes du Rhône from France (might we add, who doesn't?!?)? We have certainly made our dent in this wine category over the years. It's one of our favorite wines to drink at home.

Red Côtes du Rhône is usually a blend of grapes, of which Grenache Noir, Syrah, Carignan, Counoise and Mourvèdre are likely to be included. Each appellation in the Southern Rhône Valley has its own rules regarding which grapes are allowed (as well as the maximum percentages allowed), but all we need to be concerned with today are two grapes -- Grenache and Syrah.

And a little flip flop.

Laurence Feraud Côtes du Rhône 2013

This wine is old school, plain and simple. It has an element of rusticity that's both pleasing and alluring. We think this wine is tremendously satisfying. It just screams out for roasted chicken with fresh herbs.

Selected by Laurence Feraud, dynamic producer of Domaine du Pegau Châteauneuf du Pape, this red wine offers densely layered black fruit aromas with a characteristic spiciness on the nose.

Medium-bodied on the palate, with ripe tannins, plenty of black cherry fruit and a long, lingering finish, it's the ideal accompaniment to weeknight meals and a wide range of grilled meats and vegetables.

Now here's your assignment. This wine is 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache. If you pay careful attention you can easily taste the Syrah dominance in the wine. It has undercurrents of an earthy, gamey and almost meaty quality -- but not in an overwhelming or unpleasant manner.

This wine is made in a very traditional way in the region and we like it. We like it a whole lot.

If you've ever had the privilege of tasting the ultra luxurious Domaine du Pegau Châteauneu du Pape then you'll easily see similarities here, as the winemaker Laurence produces both wines.

Legendary Laurence Feraud speaking to Kevin and Leslie in her garage in France (we were there with a wine buying group).

You'll notice this wine is two years older than our next wine and that's for a very good reason. The Syrah dominance in the Feraud allows it to be held back in aging to soften the tannins and integrate the wine. That extra aging isn't necessary (or advised) when the wine is Grenache dominant, as you're about to find out.

$13.99/bottle or $134.30/12 pack case ($11.19/bottle)

And now for your next assignment. We suggest trying both of these wines side by side for maximum impact. Ba boom!!!

Paul Autard Côtes du Rhône 2015

This delicious and more modern style of Côtes du Rhône is made from 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Essentially, it flip flops the Grenache and the Syrah from the Feraud selection.

So what does that mean?

Grenache is more fruit forward and unctuous. It lends a fun and fruity component to this red wine. While this certainly has less structure than the Feraud, it more than makes up for that with an expressiveness which is both fresh and exciting.

This is a full bodied, fruity and delicious Côtes du Rhône which complements full-flavored dishes such as grilled and roasted vegetables, fish and meat.

$14.99/bottle or $143.90/12 pack case ($11.99/bottle) or just $11.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

So there you have it.

Two Côtes du Rhône made in two very different styles. One is Syrah dominant and one is Grenache dominant. One is more traditional and the other more modern. Both wines are under $15/bottle before discount.

Yay! Who doesn't like a project like this for the weekend?

Try both of these wines side by side (or put together a mixed case of 6 and 6 for maximum discount) so you can explore the wonders of the stunning Southern Rhône Valley. Once you know which style of wine you prefer (or perhaps, as in our case, it is both) it will help you to navigate the wines of France!

* Wine & Spirit Education Trust Certified *

Location 4550 State Highway North Eastham, MA 02651 (Next to the Royal Thai Restaurant in the Town Center Plaza) Tel: 508 255 3660 Fax: 508 255 6736

Summer Hours Mon-Thurs: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fri-Sat: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday: 10 to 8 p.m. . We're open year round. Closed only on Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.