The SOMM Journal

August / September 2018

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78 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018 { outings } HOSPICE DU RHÔNE, the bien- nial rendezvous of Rhône wine professionals and enthusiasts, took over the Western-themed Paso Robles Event Center in April for a weekend of tastings, seminars, al fresco barbecue lunches, and dinners capped off by the event's live fundrais - ing auction. The SOMM Journal was on hand for the festivities this year and, after some courtyard camaraderie in three languages (French, English, and Austra - lian), we settled in for four informative 90-minute tasting seminars covering a range of Rhône-related topics. These discussions were made all the more engaging by the arm's-length presence of some of the world's greatest ex - amples of Rhône varietals and blends. The next Hospice du Rhône in Paso Robles will take place April 23–25, 2020. Mark your calendars for one of winedom's "do-not-miss" events. Rhône Revelry and Reflection Vintner Russell From of Herman Story Wines and sommelier Erick Cadena of San Francisco's Boulevard pump up the crowd during the live auction at Hospice du Rhône in Paso Robles, CA. PHOTO COURTESY OF HOSPICE DU RHÔNE A REPORT FROM HOSPICE DU RHÔNE 2018 IN PASO ROBLES by David Gadd THE 2018 SEMINARS South Africa's Cinsault Renaissance Friday morning was dedicated to the Southern Hemisphere, beginning with South Africa. Moderator Lauren Buzzeo of Wine Enthusiast led the discussion among four South African Cinsault producers: Ryan Moster of Silwervis, Andrea Mullineux of Mull- ineux and Leeu Family Wines, Tremayne Smith of The Blacksmith, and Danie Styetler of Kaapsicht Wine Estates. Cinsault, also known in South Africa as Hermitage, is one of the parents of Pino - tage. Its low acidity and high yields mean that skilled viti- culture is essential to making single-varietal Cinsault wines. The presence of heritage bush-vine Cinsault is now recognized as one of South Africa's viticultural treasures and is fueling something of a revolution in the Swartland region. The examples presented during the seminar proved the most revealing of the weekend. Among the nine excellent versions tasted, standouts included the highly extracted Kaapzicht 2016 "1952" Cinsault, W. O. Stellenbosch, and the stunning Leeu Passant 2015 Old Vine Cinsault, W. O. Franschhoek, with precisely delineated flavors and great depth—showing the potential of this variety when handled with expertise. The South African Cinsault wines proved to be the most revealing of the weekend. PHOTO: DAVID GADD

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