Meaty, beat-y, big and bouncy…… The crowd rocking sound of GSM !!
Give me a G! Give me an S! Give me an M!
Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre almost never play solo, and if they do, it ain’t acoustic. Instead, they are the thumping bass line, lead guitar and pounding drums to some of Mondo-Vino’s greatest super-groups.
To achieve super-group status, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre thrive in Mediterranean climates with hot, growing seasons and rugged/extreme terrain. Notable examples include southern Rhône (where Chateauneuf-du-Pape is grown in galet cobblestone earth roasted by the sun) and the steep, stony hillsides in Catalonia and Priorato, Spain’s warmest regions.
Even though France is the birthplace of GSM (these blends first appeared in the Rhône Valley, Corbières and Couteaux de Languedoc regions), leave it to Australian marketing wizards to catch on to these groovy wine combos and turn the almost unpronounceable versions into a three-letter word, world sensation. Little yellow label penguin tail anyone?
The best examples of GSMs are spicy and rich, letting Syrah’s white pepper and dark fruit take the lead with Grenache adding gentle acidity, ripe red fruit and firm, but low-level, tannin. Mourvedre plays the funky drummer, bringing mushroom, game (meaty) and tobacco flavours that deepen the complexity.
These wines appeal to most red wine drinkers as they have a little something for everyone. Although delicious on their own, these wines shine with full-flavoured foods such as roasts and stews.
Some excellent examples available nationwide at better bottle shops:
JABOULET / COTES DU RHONE / “Parrallelle 45” 2007
France
Garnet red colour; aromas of red currant and berry fruit with herbal and peppery notes; dry, medium to full-bodied, quite softly textured with generous dark berry fruit and a long, spicy finish. (LCBO tasting panel)
One of the best wine values you can find. Buy all you can. Rob.
TWO HANDS / BRAVE FACES 2006
GRENACHE SHIRAZ MOURVEDRE
Barossa Valley, Australia
Jumps with smashed raspberry and ripe cherry aromas. Savoury, almost spicy palate with chunky tannins backed up with judicious oak and refreshing acidity. Killer food wine that shows how well these three varietals play together if blended with balance in mind. Drink now through 2015. (Rob’s notes at Two Hands tutored tasting.)
2006 MIRO CUVEE SASHA
California, USA
The wine pours out a deep red in colour with nice clarity. A jammy nose with aromas of plum, blackberry, strawberry and spice. In the mouth, the flavors are not as jammy as the nose was but this is definitely fruit forward. Flavours of strawberry, plum, cherry and spice. A well-balanced wine with fine tannins and good structure. Moderate length finish. (mustlovewine.com)
Stay thirsty,
Rob.
Rob Montgomery
Bar Chef / The Miller Tavern
www.themiller.ca
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