Washington Syrah vs. The Rhone

We had to wait almost two months for a delayed Tour de France to begin and, so far, the racing has been dynamic and extremely exciting!

The tour began in Nice traveling along the Southern border of France and through the Pyrenees mountains.  After a rest day, the cyclists began racing to the West heading toward the Alps through the Masif Central mountains, touching the Northern reaches of the Rhone' valley and finishing a lively stage 14 in Lyon.  

Lyon is where we find this week's challenge hero, Stanley Groovy, touring around France on his bicycle and waiting for the Tour to arrive.  Stanley has been making friends, enjoying the local cycling, food and wine and sharing some Washington wine with his hosts throughout Southern France.

One of Stanley's favorite Washington wines is from The Walls in Walla Walla.  Stanley is confident that his favorite can take on any French challenger.  This week's challenge will see if Stanley's choice is up to the task. 

2015 Gaspard Syrah from Red Mountain vs. 2012 La Chaussynette Vin de France from Mas de Boislauzon.

Washington Syrah v. Northern Rhone

The pro cyclists are putting the finishing touches on their form for the Tour de France.  There are several 7 or 8 day stage races leading up to the tour that are used for their final tune ups.  Some choose the Criterium du Dauphine.  While others choose the Tour de Suisse.

One advantage to selecting the Criterium du Dauphine is that the race shares a promoter with the Tour de France.  That usually means you get an opportunity to race on some of the same routes that will be used in July for the Grande Bucle.

Team Sky sent their number one racer, Chris Froome, to the Dauphine this year.  Just like they did in 2012 with Sir Bradley Wiggins.  The results in 2013 were the same as 2012 - a general classification win for Team Sky.

This week's matchup features Washington Syrah vs. French Syrah from the Cotes du Rhone.

2006 Nicholas Cole Dauphine v. 2011 Yves Cuilleron Les Vignes d'a Cote

Oregon Grenache v. Rhone Vacqueyras

Open that bottle night was this past weekend.  I was inspired by the Classic sud Ardeche in the Rhone to open a bottle of 2004 Chateau des Tours that had been resting in my cellar.  A number of races were cancelled last week due to a freak snowstorm in Europe.  The show went on in the Rhone Valley and the top 5 was dominated by French racers.

Will the Chateau de Tours be able to uphold the French racer's winning ways?

2004 Chateau des Tours Vacqueyras v. 2011 Edwin Dyer Grenache

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