Vacqueyras Rhône Valley Wine Pairing

After a long year and a half, our good friends and neighbours Ursula and Bob returned to the neighbourhood from their other home is in upstate New York, in the Catskill Mountains. It’s nice to have them back.

We had them over to dinner to celebrate their return and wanted to share a bottle of wine I purchased — a 2016 Vacqueryas from Paul Jaboulet Aîné.

Winery: Paul Jaboulet Aîné
Cuvée: Les Cyprès
Appellation: Vacqueyras, Southern Rhône
Type: Red
Vintage: 2016
Grape Varieties: Grenache 75%, Syrah 20%, Mourvèdre 5%

Continue reading for my tasting notes on this food and wine pairing for Provence WineZine. The wine was excellent and well-matched with the braised oxtail that I made.

Rhône Valley Wine

As the river valley widens and the steep slopes give way to rolling hills, you have arrived in the Southern Rhône Valley. Encompassing vast geography, the Southern Rhône eclipses the north with 95% of the total production. Many more grape varietals are grown, although each AOC dictates the types and amounts permitted within the guidelines. Except for Châteauneuf-du-Pape, most of these appellations include rosé production.

Côtes du Rhône (South):
Beaumes de Venise
Cairanne
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Côtes du Luberon
Côtes du Ventoux
Coteaux de Pierrevert
Grignan les Adhémar
Gigondas
Lirac
Tavel
Rasteau
Vacqueyras