Syrah, perhaps a perfect wine by itself, is made magical when combined with Grenache and Mourvèdre. Hence, “GSM” wines are lush, rich, complex, full bodied and are characterized by flavors of dark red and blue fruit and spice. It is “soul” wine when compared to current “pop music” red blends from California. We taste GSMs from the major regions with a private dinner at the Wine Bistro. We will start out with a sparkling GSM, then enjoy selections from France, Spain, USA and Australia. Reservations are strictly enforced for this special night of GSM wines and delicious food. Gather at 6:30pm and Dinner at 7pm. Cost of wines will be added to your dinner tab with separate checks.
Wines Presented:
2018 Wente Small Lot GSM Blend (Livermore, California) or the 2018 Secret Squirrel Rhone Blend (Wash) (rave reviews despite modest price)
2019 Torres Purgatori (Grenache, Syrah, Carignena)
2019 Betz Besolei (Washington GSM)
2019 Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge (70% Vieux Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 5% others)
2018 d’Arenberg Ironstone Pressings (GSM)
All these wines are highly rated and should be enjoyable, if not optimal, with decanting. We'll begin with the delicious Sparkling GSM MiMi en Provence Rose.
All three varieties have the Mediterranean coast as their homeland, and all three are very important to the region's viticultural makeup. Grenache, which contributes juicy red fruit, low tannin, and alcohol to the blend, is widespread in southern France and also in Spain, where it is known as Garnacha (and is a component of the Rioja and Priorat blends). Mourvèdre, the key grape variety in Bandol, shares this Mediterranean dispersal and is also found in Spain where it is known as Monastrell. It gives tannins, color and length to the wine. Syrah, with its structure, opulence, smoke, spice, and dark fruit, is very much a French variety and is the mainstay of the Rhône Valley. Nowadays Syrah is also planted across the world from Australia to India.
The most notable application of the GSM blend in France is in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. While this appellation famously allows for 13 different varieties, many producers make Grenache-dominant wines with Syrah and Mourvèdre in smaller proportions, with any other permitted varieties making up just a fraction of the blend. The Côtes du Rhône AOC has this as its key blend as well (where the three grapes must make up at least 60 percent of any wine and at least 70 percent of plantings), as do several other appellations in southern France, including Vacqueyras, Corbières and La Clape.
GSMs have been readily adopted by the New World, are prevalent in Washington, California and Australia. The traditional nature of the blend has not stopped forward-thinking, modern vignerons in the new world from experimenting with Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. A group of producers along California's Central Coast calling themselves the "Rhône Rangers" began to promote the three varieties in the 1980s, making wines in the spirit of the southern Rhône. Washington State and California Syrah drive these American Rhone blends. The GSM blend is also used widely in Australia, where Syrah is known as Shiraz and often makes up the bulk of the wine. While this blend is quantitatively not as large +90% Shiraz, the blend is widely produced, particularly in South Australia's Barossa Valley.