I simply adore Gigondas, Rhône, France. The place. The wines.
I have pleasant memories of visiting a while back. Beautiful Gigondas village, in the Southern Rhône, is a cute and historic village with stone edifices, narrow lanes and steep hills. The wines are charming and iconic. Area wine regions include Gigondas, Vacqueyras, & Beaumes de Venise. A few recent additions to the Vintages section at LCBO has reminded me again to bring home these wines more often. They satisfy!
The further south you go in the Rhône, the more robust and serious the wines become. Southern Rhône wines are big, fruit driven, and food friendly. This charming old village is presided over by 11th-century Ste. Catherine’s church, sitting up high, with its clock tower, belfry and old sundial. The complex of buildings and grounds are still in operation. The narrow cobblestone streets below are lined with stone houses and shops.
While in the village, be sure to dine at Carré Gourmand restaurant. I ordered a medley of appetizers and enjoyed them with La Syrah de Pénélope Gigondas. Dark ruby and exuding an earthy, leathery, dark berry bouquet with flavours of blackberries, vanilla bean & dark chocolate, & firm tannins. Yet the finish is soft satisfying. A wonderful example of the wines of Cotê du Rhone.
More about Gigondas, the village: http://www.beyond.fr/villages/gigondas.html
Spectacular photos of Gigondas: http://www.gigondas-vin.com/terroir/les_dentelles_de_montmirail.php
by The Wine Baron
The Wine Baron 