By Dwight Casimere
Easy to drink and easy on the pocket is Chateau d’Aigueville Cotes du Rhone, a terrific red wine for summer at just under $12 a bottle. Cotes du Rhone wines from France have been sort of under the radar. They don’t get talked about as much as the celebrated Bordeaux wines and those of Burgundy, but they have a terrific character all their own. What’s best is they’re often a fraction of the price.
People have been making wine in the Rhone Valley of France for more than 2,000 years, so by now, they’re pretty good at it. Situated between the villages of Serignan and Uchaux, close to Orange, the estate has the same terroir, or soil character as that of the famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 5% Carignan and 5% Mouverde, the wine benefits from the clay and limestone soils, covered with pebbles, that is typical of the heart of the region. Opening with a distinctive floral note, the wine opens up with flavors of jammy blackberries and blueberries and hints of wild strawberries backed with hints of black pepper. This is the perfect wine to have with grilled meats and vegetables of any kind. It particularly is great with ribs, burgers and steaks. My preference is to have it with lamb. Almost any cut will do. Be sure to cover it with Rosemary, Garlic and Olive Oil the way they do it in France. It’s a match made in heaven. Even some of your guests or family members who say they don’t like lamb will quickly become converts. With a glass or two of Chateau d’Aigueville under their belts, it will feel like an armchair vacation to the beautiful Rhone Valley, and all for under $12! Remember to drink responsibly.
