2004 Le Secret Ivre Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes
From the Cote Rotie producer Earl Pierre Gaillard comes this delicious Northern Rhone white. He makes an exceptional Condrieu too, but Le Secret Ivre is a blend and that’s what makes it so much more affordable. This year it’s 75% Condrieu -- both young and older vines -- plus 25% Roussanne.
Perfumed with honey and white peaches, it’s lush, but minerally, clean and refreshing. In short, a great food wine that can accompany a roast chicken or an earthy Mediterranean vegetable soup as easily as a grilled fish, a seafood risotto or a bouillabaisse. It’s also an interesting match with cheese. At this price, it can make any weeknight supper a celebration.
Quick swirl
Region: Rhone Valley
Price: About $20
Style: Aromatic and lush
Food it goes with: Grilled fish, seafood stew, roast chicken, vegetable soup
Where you find it: Liquid Partyworks in Chatsworth, (818) 709-5019; Mission Wines in South Pasadena, (626) 403-9463; Silver Lake Wine in Los Angeles, (323) 662-9024, the Wine House in Los Angeles, (310) 479-3731
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-- S. Irene Virbila