Washington Grenache v. Gigondas

Lucha Vino is showing some respect for Grenache on International Grenache Day.  Grenache thrives in many wine regions world wide.  In this matchup we will focus on the Yakima Valley in Washington state and Gigondas in the Rhone Valley of France.

The Gigondas and Rhone Valley are frequent hosts of the Tour de France and other professional cycling races held in France.  Le Tour did not visit Southern France in 2023, but that will not deter this challenge!

2017 Kevin White Winery Pionnier v. 2014 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades

Washington Syrah v. Cote-Rotie

The Tour de France is fast approaching and the pros are putting the finishing touches on their form and fitness for the Grand Boucle.  Many teams and riders like to prepare for the big race with shorter, week long, stage races that cover the same territory as le Tour.

Two of the more popular races are Paris-Nice and the Criterium du Dauphine.  Stage 5 of this year's Paris-Nice passed through the Rhone valley giving the sprinters a final chance to battle for victory.  Olav Kooij from the Jumbo Visma squad took the win as his team prepares to support last year's Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard in pursuit of back-to-back victories.

These tune ups are also a great time for Lucha Vino to prepare for this year's challenge with a throw down featuring a Washington Syrah duking it out with a French challenger from the Cote-Rotie AOC.

2020 Succession Wines  Syrah v. 2018 Domaine-Rostaing Ampodium

Washington Sangiovese vs. Chianti Classico

The Strade Bianchi is an Italian one day race that kicks off the early season bike racing with exceptional style!  

This year's edition did not disappoint with one of the most dynamic young riders, Tom Pidcock, winning the race.  Pidcock is a mountain bike and cyclocross world champion that is bringing his game to the road racing circuit.  He announced his road racing potential at last year's Tour de France with a historic win on the Alpe de Huez.

On to this year's first Lucha Vino challenge with a match up between a Washington Sangiovese flexing muscle up against a Italian Chianti Classico.

2018 Mellisoni Lake Chelan Sangiovese v. 2017 Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva.

Tale of the Tape

Mellisoni 2018 Lake Chelan Sangiovese

100% Sangiovese from 8 year old vines planted on the upper slopes of the Mellisoni Lake Chelan estate vineyard.  Harvested September 23rd at 24.5 Brix and pH 3.49.  

Aged for 22 months in Seguin Moreau French Oak, 50% New & 50% Once Used with an additional 2 months of bottle age.

2017 Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva 

Made from Sangiovese, Canaiolo and other red grape varietals.  Aged in Slovanian and French oak barrels of various sizes for a year or longer.

Washington Syrah vs. Australia

January typically features the start of the professional road racing season with the Australian national championships and the Tour Down Under.  Even though we have put 2020 in the rear view mirror, that doesn't mean that our lives have returned to normal times.  And that holds true in the world of pro cycling as well.

The Tour Down Under was cancelled, but the Australian National Championship races carried on and featured plenty of action across many race disciplines including Time Trials, Criteriums and Road Races.

The latest Lucha Vino matchup features a Washington Syrah from a Portland, Oregon, winery taking on an Australian Shiraz from the McLaren Vale.

2012 Fausse Piste Les Vignes de Marcoux vs. 2010 Mollydooker The Boxer