Curious about the magic inside a bottle of Southern Rhône wine? 🍇✨

A Taste of Southern Rhône: Masterclass with Famille Perrin

Wine has a unique way of bringing people together, weaving stories of heritage, passion, and the land from which it comes. Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting a wine masterclass with Florian Garrigues from Famille Perrin at the elegant Miyabi Restaurant in Sheraton Petaling Jaya. This invite-only event welcomed restaurateurs, chefs, and members of the Sommelier Association of Malaysia (SOMLAY) for a journey into the heart of Southern Rhône.

The Legacy of Famille Perrin

The story of Famille Perrin begins in the early twentieth century with the Château de Beaucastel, the jewel of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In 1909, Pierre Tramier acquired the estate, and today, the fifth generation of the Perrin family continues this legacy. Florian shared stories highlighting how every family member plays a vital role in the business, from tending the vines to perfecting the winemaking process. This hands-on involvement fosters a deep connection to their land and adds a personal touch to every aspect of their wines.

Tasting the Essence of Southern Rhône

During the masterclass, we embarked on a sensory journey, tasting several remarkable wines that embody the essence of Southern Rhône.

Les Sinards Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

We began with the Les Sinards Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, an elegant white wine crafted mainly from Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. This wine greeted us with delicate aromas of honey, white flowers, and a hint of honeysuckle. On the palate, it was both powerful and fresh, with a subtle saltiness that made it particularly enticing—it made us salivate, which is great before a meal.

Florian noted that only 20,000 to 25,000 bottles are produced, making it a rare and special find. This wine hails from a region where Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc represents only about 5–7% of the appellation's production due to the challenges of producing white wines in the hot climate.

Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Villages 2021

Next, we sampled the Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Villages 2021, which showcases the family's commitment to producing accessible yet high-quality wines. This wine was fresh and fruit-forward, offering red fruit aromas with a touch of spice. Its balanced acidity and roundness made it enjoyable and versatile.

The "Côtes du Rhône" appellation encompasses a large area along the Rhône River, known for producing approachable and versatile wines. The "Villages" designation signifies a higher quality level, sourced from select villages recognized for their superior terroir and stricter production standards. These villages produce wines with more complexity and character than basic Côtes du Rhône offerings.

Famille Perrin 'La Gille' Gigondas

Our tasting journey continued with a wine from Gigondas, a region celebrated for its expression of Grenache. The Famille Perrin 'La Gille' Gigondas we tasted showcased rich black fruit aromas, in contrast to the red fruit expressions we found in the Côtes du Rhône Villages. This wine is made predominantly from Grenache Noir, known for its intensely dark skins and concentrated flavors.

It was fuller, elegant, silky, and smooth. It had a little less spice on the palate compared to the others because there is more Grenache than Syrah in this blend. The Grenache brings plumpness and body to the wine. The vineyards in Gigondas are situated at higher elevations, contributing to the wine's complexity and ability to age gracefully for 10–15 years. The family's careful cultivation in this area reflects their understanding of how terroir influences the character of the wine.

🔎 Did you know that the name "Gigondas" comes from the Latin word "Jocunditas," which means "joy" or "delight"? 

Les Sinards Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge

We then returned to Châteauneuf-du-Pape with the Les Sinards Rouge, a classic blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah (GSM). This wine was drier and had more pronounced tannins compared to the Gigondas we tried. It offered aromas of red fruits and chocolate while maintaining a fresh, fruit-driven profile.

Florian shared insights into the unique terroir of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, characterized by its galets roulés—large pebble stones that cover the vineyards. These stones absorb heat during the day and release it at night, aiding in grape ripening and contributing to the wine's full-bodied character.

🔎 Did you know that "Châteauneuf-du-Pape" translates to "The Pope's New Castle"?

Coudoulet de Beaucastel: The Hidden Gem

Florian introduced us to the Coudoulet de Beaucastel, often referred to as a "baby Beaucastel." Interestingly, "Coudoulet" comes from the Provençal word meaning "pebble," referring to the pebbly soils that characterize the vineyard.

Although technically classified under the Côtes du Rhône appellation due to historical re-zoning after World War II, it shares many characteristics with Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines.

🔎 Fun fact: Did you know that the Château de Beaucastel estate was initially 100 hectares? After World War II, the government redefined the appellation boundaries, and a portion of the estate fell outside the Châteauneuf-du-Pape designation. This meant that 70 hectares remained under the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, and the other 30 hectares were classified as Côtes du Rhône. The family kept everything else the same, including the vinification process.

Coudoulet de Beaucastel is made from a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault, with grapes hand-harvested and vinified separately before blending. This wine offers exceptional quality and value, sharing many qualities with Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines.

Reflecting on the 2019 Vintage

We also had the opportunity to taste the Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2019. Florian described 2019 as an amazing vintage with great weather conditions. This iconic wine is unique in that it includes all 13 permitted grape varieties in the appellation, showcasing the full expression of the terroir and the art of blending.

The 2019 vintage benefited from an ideal growing season with warm days and cool nights, allowing the grapes to reach optimal ripeness while retaining freshness. The wine exhibits complex aromas of dark fruits, herbs, spices, and hints of leather. On the palate, it's full-bodied with silky tannins and a harmonious balance of fruit and acidity. The depth and richness of the wine are complemented by its elegance and finesse.

Château de Beaucastel is renowned for its ability to age gracefully. The 2019 vintage, with its structure and concentration, is expected to develop even more complexity over the next few decades. This wine embodies the family's dedication to tradition and quality, making it a fitting finale to our tasting journey.

A Final Toast

The masterclass was more than a tasting; it was an educational journey through the history, geography, and craftsmanship of Southern Rhône wines. Florian's passion and expertise illuminated the complexities and joys of winemaking in this renowned region.

By the end of the session, attendees had gained a deeper appreciation for the art of blending, the importance of terroir, and the dedication required to produce wines of such character and quality.