the renowned winery, Château de Beaucastel, is known for its Chateauneuf-du-Pape blends that include all 13 of the permissible grapes! Rick’s Grape Skinny [email protected] The Southern Rhone might be the ancestral home of GSM blends…but the actual term “GSM” was popularized and brought to universal usage by the winemaking wizards of Australia. In the case of the Roos however, GSM July 2014 stands for Grenache, Shiraz and Mataró. And so “A big whine is good for one’s attitude, highly revered is this marriage of grapes in But a little wine is good for whatever ails you!” Australia that one winery, Barossa’s Grant (An Unknown but Very Wise Philosopher) Burge, made no bones about its lofty feelings.

OMG, GSM, OSG, WEP! YDU? (You Don’t Understand?) WIT! (Well Imagine That!) WTH? (What The Heck?) You still don’t get it? OK, OK…enough with my feeble attempt to elicit a laugh with a little texting humor. INDIA! (I’ll Never Do It Again!) But -- NPMY! (No Promises Mind You!)

The truth is…reading one’s text messages, emails and Facebook postings is indeed getting to be a challenge these days…as just about everyone is inventing their own “net lingo” to They proudly named their distinctive convey their thoughts. I get the ubiquitous proprietary GSM blend -- “The Holy Trinity!” XOXO…and I finally got LOL, L8R, LMAO, And Holy Moly…did they ever put a heavenly and ROTFL…but lately, I’m finding it necessary price tag on that bad boy! Nonetheless…it is an to seek Mr. Google’s help in deciphering many of exceptionally well made wine…and you can’t go these mysterious little pearls of pseudo-prose. wrong by seeking out this “blissfully bold brute!”

In any event…just in case there might be a Other GSM Venues handful of you who have yet to decrypt this While Côtes du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape month’s headline: OMG = Oh My God, OSG = Regions in France -- along with Australia’s Oh So Good, and WEP = Worth Every Penny! Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale Regions -- tend And what about GSM you say? Well, that’s the to dominate GSM headlines and wine reviews, actual focus of this month’s Skinny! So, let’s roll! California’s Central Coast – particularly the Paso

Robles area and its highly regarded GSM So what is GSM? winemaker devotees known as The Rhone GSM refers to a universally popular red wine blend Rangers – have earned stellar reputations for that is comprised of three of the world’s most widely their über-popular GSM blends. Washington grown grapes -- Grenache, and Mourvèdre – State and South Africa are proving just how well which are variously and respectively known as they too can produce noteworthy GSMs! Garnacha, Shiraz and Monastrell or Mataró. The Southern Rhone Region of France is the main And for what it’s worth, from my spot on the home to wines made from this ancient union of bench…the GSM wines from both Paso Robles grapes…and despite the permitted use of more and Washington tend to be more fruit-forward, than a dozen different (arguably 13 to supple and sumptuous than their older and 19), these three gems form the typical perhaps more distinguished distant cousins! backbone of the famous GSM wines of Côtes du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Interestingly, TAF…TNT! (That’s All Folks…Til Next Time!)

Toast of the Month play on words – taken from the famous Côtes du Rhône wines – whose luscious and approachable style is beautifully mirrored and showcased in this amazingly affordable expression. It’s proof positive that one does not have to spend a boatload of booty “Here's to those who own the land, grow the grapes to get a very good quaff. Oh – and lest there be and make the wine! May the world remain forever doubt, there are indeed herds of goats that roam blessed with their presence and their products!” (Anonymous) Fairview Farm…which is also renowned for its cheese! http://www.fairview.co.za/

Cline Cellars Cashmere 2012 Rich, Juicy and Mouthwatering! (Sonoma, CA)/$13-$16 From one of California’s most respected winemaking The Monthly Bunch! families…and from the capable hands of winemaker, Reds Charles G. Tsegeletos, this is a laudable example of a Ruchè (aka Roche or Rouchet) delectable California GSM style blend. It’s comprised Gatto Pierfrancesco Caresana Ruchè 2010 of 35% Mourvedre, 24% Syrah, 23% Grenache, Aromatic, Rich, Succulent, & Sensational! 18% Petite Sirah and aged for 6 months in new (DOCG Ruchè Di Castagnole Monferrato – French oak…and approach that helps feature its Piemonte -- Castagnole Monferrato, IT)/$18-$24 fruit-forward nature. Also of note is that a portion From one of Italy’s most recently designated of Cline’s Cashmere sales support Living Beyond DOCGs – which rests just north of the town of Asti Breast Cancer. www.clinecellars.com – this sumptuous wine is made from 100% Ruchè -- one of the most obscure – but otherwise most Torbreck The Steading 2010 delicious -- grapes you’ve never heard of! Known Opulent, Intensely Lush, and Exquisitely Elegant! (Barossa Valley – Marananga, S. Australia)/$40-$45 affectionately among the locals as the vino di OK…so it’s a little pricy…but if it’s an iconic and mistero (the wine of mystery), it is one of Italy’s exemplary Australian GSM you want…look no further! best kept secrets…and precious little is ever This is a stunningly well-crafted wine whose nature and exported. But…as hard as this one might be to pin soul beautifully exemplify what enthusiasts all over the down and procure, this 2010 Ruchè from Azienda world love – even covet -- about GSM blends. Made in Agricola Gatto Pierfrancesco is well worth the the truest traditions of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and effort! For those in the Triangle area, have your Côtes du Rhône, there is no better exemplar for how favorite retailer order it from KTM Wine well the Aussies can make this style wine. Wholesalers, Wake Forest, NC. Otherwise, drop Comprised of 64% Grenache, 18% Shiraz and 18% me a note and I’ll help you find a source! Mataró – this vintage was aged for two full years in www.theshepherdcompanywineimporters.com/ used French oak. At 15.35% alcohol…best be prepared to “sip” this baby! www.torbreck.com Red Blends - GSM Fairview Goats do Roam 2013 Hope Family Troublemaker Blend 7 Fruit-forward, Soft, Smooth, & Delicious! Soft, Fruity, Subtly Complex, and Scrumptious! (Suider-Paarl, South Africa)/$10-$12 – This is a (Paso Robles, CA)/$18-$22 property whose first recorded wines date back to From one of Paso Robles most noble winemaking 1699…so there’s been plenty of time to perfect the families…who also were founding members of the craft. And indeed, current owner and winemaker, region’s famed Rhône Rangers, this delicious GSM Charles Back, one of South Africa’s original Rhône interestingly features a blend of finished wines from Rangers for his advocacy to plant Rhône varietals, 2010, 2011 and 2012 vintages. With fruit sourced has done just that -- in spades! This longtime, from Hope Family Estate Vineyards, this is a blend universally popular Southern Rhone style (GSM) of 54% Syrah, 22% Grenache, 13% Mourvedre, blend is comprised of 62% Shiraz, 14% Mourvèdre, 11% and an awesome example of Austin 11% Grenache, 9% Durif (aka Petite Sirah), 2% Hope’s winemaking genius. Cinsault, and 2% . The name of course is a www.hopefamilywines.com