Wine of the Week 2/8/22

Domaine de la Guicharde Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2019

Regularly $18.99/On Sale for $15.96

Isabelle and Arnaud Guicharde bought Domaine de la Guicharde in 1988. Located near Mondragon in the village of Derboux in the Cotes du Rhone, the estate sits on a high plateau at the top of the Massif d’Uchaux. Planted primarily to Grenache and Syrah, with a tiny bit of Grenache Blanc and Gris, the Guichardes reorganized their 37-acre estate vineyard to take better advantage of the soils and exposition. The vineyard benefits from the Mistral wind, which naturally enhances the health of the vines and fruit, and is surrounded by forest and garrigue. The grapes are hand-picked and sorted before undergoing fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. After assemblage, the wines mature in concrete tanks before bottling. Over the years, the Guichardes have methodically moved to organic farming. The vineyards are certified organic by ECOCERT and use Biodynamic farming practices. In 2017, the Guichardes retired and sold the Domaine to friend Didier Perréol, an organic food producer, who hired Laurence Goudal to manage the wines. She has made all wines since, including this one. The 2019 Côtes du Rhône is 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah from vines that are an average of 25 years old. The grapes were destemmed and fermented together using native yeasts, and the wine matured in stainless steel to preserve maximum freshness. It’s a delicious and classic Côtes de Rhône, with great aromatics and the perfect body to accompany all but the very heaviest of dishes - all at a VERY good price! The perfect red to tuck away for a Valentine’s Day dinner.