GSM stands for Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre – three important grapes grown in the Rhône region of France. Wine Folly tells us that “What makes this blend special is the complexity created when boisterous and fruity Grenache is blended with brooding and peppery Syrah and Mourvèdre.”
About Côtes du Rhône
Côtes du Rhône is in southeastern France in the Rhône Valley. According to WineTourism, “Côtes du Rhône is the second-largest appellation in France. Only Bordeaux has more hectares planted with vines. The entire region is about 44,000 hectares, with 31,926 hectares of vineyards.”
While the three grapes that make up GSM are the three most important red grapes, there are at least 19 wine grapes grown in this region.
United States GSM Blends
Rhône grapes started to appear more commonly in the United States when Tablas Creek Winery imported them to Paso Robles, California in 1990. Tablas Creek is one of my favorite wineries!
But GSM blends are made by many different wineries. A new favorite of mine is V. Sattui’s Entanglement, which has “a very intense dark color, foretelling its deep, complex black fruit aromas that are complemented further by notes of cocoa and toasted sweet oak. Each sip presents itself with a soft mouthfeel, pleasantly balanced with lasting flavors of bright cherry and sweet dried herbs followed by smooth tannins.” I had a bottle of this last week and loved it so much that I bought some more.
V. Sattui combines the grapes prior to fermentation, which is unusual.
Why the name entanglement? “Each varietal dynamically interacts to create something all-together new and exciting.” Along with many amazing wines at Tablas Creek, Entanglement is well worth trying.
