West Valley Wine Group

Thursday Virtual Happy Hour: GSM Blends

Thu, Jul 9 · 5:30 PM MST

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Online

Online

The classic, full-bodied, Grenache – Syrah – Mourvedre blend is most commonly associated with the southern Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape in particular but also produces excellent wines across the New World - Australia and California, in particular, producing lauded examples.

Grenache and Syrah are key in Rhône, and are complemented in this instance by the addition of Mourvèdre: an important but slightly less famous inclusion to the blend. GSM wines, which have been readily adopted by the New World, are rich, full bodied and leathery, and are characterized by flavors of dark fruit and spice.

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 spice, red fruit 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 blend).

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 and dark fruit, is very much a French variety and is the mainstay of the northern 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.

We have a choice of videos to watch including:

1. https://youtu.be/GKXl8vu9coM?si=hHT3gsHPIjeDFJdo - Is GSM the BEST Red WINE Blend?!? - Dr. Matthew Horkey (10:15)
2. https://youtu.be/xxSouISTcMo?si=lbnnx7osEcrWHfjd - Rhône Blends: All About GSMs and White Rhône Blends - V is for Vino (4:39)
3. https://youtu.be/YvL-YVp1MgI?si=yIewLHrLWWFJ8jZ1 - The Rhône Valley: Where Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre Come Home - Your Wine PhD (3:00)

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So, pick up a bottle and watch a couple of videos. Let us know what you’re drinking and eating, and, if possible, the region from which your wine comes. Do you have any comments (positive or negative) about the videos? And, as always, tell us what’s going on in your life - what's happening with you, how you're feeling about things, updates, successes, challenges - as much or as little as you’re willing to disclose. We are in this together. And - thank goodness - we have wine!

Cheers!!