Thursday, June 28, 2012

Red Mountain Tempranillo v. Ribera del Duero

This past weekend featured the National Championship races for the majority of the cycling world.  Naturally, the big three wine countries were all featured over the weekend - France, Italy and Spain.  This left me with a difficult choice, which country to visit this final weekend before the start of the Tour de France.

My choice landed me in Spain.  With the Spanish National Championship Road Race taking place in Salamanca located in Castilla y Leon I selected the King D.O. - Ribera del Duero to represent the challenger.

2010 8 Bells Tempranillo v. 2008 Finca Villacreces Ribera del Duero Pruno

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Red Mountain Rivalry

Have you ever witnessed an internal struggle for control of a team?  There have been many famous instances of in-fighting in the pro peloton.  Young Turk v. Old Veteran, American v. French etc. etc.

Two of the more famous battles in the Tour de France included the same protagonists: Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault.

In 1985 Hinault played some wicked tricks on Lemond in order to win le Tour. After winning, he promised to support Lemond's bid for victory in 1986.  That promise did not last long, but Hinault's lack of integrity did not pay off with a French victory.  In fact, it was Lemond that pulled through with the victory despite Hinault's efforts to win the Grand Boucle himself.

Another classic internal team battle raged in 2009 between Lance Armstrong and Alberto Cantador, both riding for Astana and both demanding to be the Astana team leader.

With just a little over two weeks to go until the start of the 2012 Tour de France the Lucha Vino challenge reflects on internal rivalries featuring a Battle Royale between two Laurelhurst Cabernet Sauvignons from Red Mountain.

2008 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon v. 2008 Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon  Both from Laurelhurst Cellars.

These wines are made from grapes grown on Red Mountain.  The only thing that separates the two vineyards is a dirt road.  These two Luchadors are ready to throw down in a battle to see who will own the road and claim the family's Red Mountain supremacy.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Washington Syrah v. Crozes Hermitage

The start of the Tour de France is just three weeks away.  The pros will be putting the finishing touches on their preparation for the "biggest bike race in the world" in one of two upcoming week long stage races.

The Criterium du Dauphine takes place this week in the Central/Eastern regions of France.  The racers will cover parts of the Rhone and Savoie regions.

The other option is the Tour de Suise which begins June 9th.

The Dauphine began with a short Prologue Time Trial covering just 5.7 km.  This is a short powerful effort with the racers on their limit for slightly less than 7 minutes.  Syrah is a great companion to this type of powerful effort.

This week's matchup features a Washington state Syrah battling with a Syrah from the Crozes Hermitage region in the Northern Rhone.

2007 Nota Bene Columbia Valley Syrah v. 2006 A. Ogier & Fils Crozes Hermitage Syrah