Down Cellar BY JIM BRYANT HOMAS BALSAMO T PHOTO: Barrington resident Jim Bryant is pursuing his passion and love of wine as an international wine consultant. This follows a 30-year career in senior financial and general management positions at two Fortune 100 companies. He is the owner of James R. Bryant L.L.C.; contact him at
[email protected]. Que Syrah, Syrah OW THAT THE WEATHER HAS is permitted which serves to soften the wine. In good Côtes-du-Rhône are available for under $20 TURNED COLDER, there are more oc- general, Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Cornas are and many for half this amount? casions for big, bold reds. Many wine very big, masculine wines. St. Joseph, on the other Syrah grows well in several parts of the world, Nhistorians believe the Syrah grape originated in or hand, is somewhat softer and feminine in style but it is not ubiquitous like Chardonnay. It is a near Shiraz, Persia, and is the oldest grape com- with a shorter life span. Hermitage and Côte- very dark color grape, almost black with sub- monly available today. Legend generally credits Rôtie wines from great years and producers have stantial texture and richness, and depending the Romans for bringing plantings up the Rhône very long lives spanning from 20 to 50+ years. upon temperature levels can tend towards high River to the vicinity of Ampuis, where most Syr- Syrah is also a very popular grape in the South- alcohol with medium to high tannins. The wines ah-based wines are produced, although recent ern Rhône Valley.