Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/913027
{ SOMMjournal.com } 69 F riendly wagers, lighthearted banter, and an energized buzz filled the newly-transformed event space at Morgan's on Fulton, located in an up-and-coming area of Chicago just off "Restaurant Row." A makeshift casino accompa - nied an assortment of fine wines from Rhône Valley Vineyards, creating a relaxed and fun environment in which to learn and explore the elaborate region. Gamblers (i.e. top wine buyers) were welcomed with a white Côtes du Rhône, Vidal-Fleury 2015, to kick off the festivities. The Viognier-based blend exhibited perfectly ripe pears and a beautiful floral introduction to the region as a whole. The Rhône Valley vineyards are the second largest AOC producing region in France, and the U.S. is its third largest export market in volume, as well as number one in value. Approximately 95 percent of the region's production takes place in the Southern Rhône, with labels offering Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Côtes du Rhône Villages with a geographical designation, and the prestigious Côtes du Rhône "Crus," of which there are 19. In addition, the regional AOCs of Clairette de Bellegarde, Costières de Nîmes, Côtes du Vivarais, Duché d'Uzès, Grignan-les-Adhémar, Ventoux, and Luberon make up the entirety of the Rhône Valley. With the market growing, Rhône Valley Vineyards created a "Wine O'Clock" theme to better educate wine buyers around the nation about these high-performing wines. The wines for this evening were divided into three stations. Station one showcased two Côtes du Rhône wines and one Côtes du Rhône Villages with a geographical designation—Côtes du Rhône translates simply to "hillsides of the Rhône." The three wines included Côtes du Rhône, Château de Beaucastel 2014 Coudoulet de Beaucastel Red; Côtes du Rhône, Ogier 2015 Artesis Red; and Côtes du Rhône Villages Puymeras, 2014 Les Dauphins Red. Twenty geographic designations in the Southern Rhône region, including Puymeras, are allowed to append their name to the label—a sign of enhanced quality. Station two represented individual Côtes du Rhône Crus. We enjoyed two wines from the Crozes- Hermitage appellation in the Northern Rhône. Cave de Tain 2015 Grand Classique white is comprised of 100% Marsanne and the red, Vidal Fleury 2014, of 100% Syrah. Both wines encapsulated the Northern Rhône style with characteristic body and lower acidity from the white and classic black pepper and meat aromas in the complex red. We also Rhône Valley Vineyards Ambassador Eileen Fabunan and Advanced Sommelier Allyson Gorsuch on the rooftop of Morgan's on Fulton, with the beautiful Chicago skyline as a backdrop. Wine buyers hit a hot streak at the craps table while sipping on Rhône Valley Vineyards wines. Toshi Barnes, General Manager at The Marq in Chicago, doubles down on his hand. by Allyson Gorsuch / photos by Rebecca Peplinski ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣