Getting Social with GSM — The Cotes Du Rhone Blend
Wine X Staff
Online edition
Whenever our family or friends from the Central Coast of California come over for a dinner party, we can always expect our kitchen to somewhat mimic a wine expo. With each couple bringing case upon case out of their car, showing off rare labels and pouring tastings for each other while gushing over this season’s newest “it” winemaker.
Unlike Northern California, where the steeped tradition and prestige of winemaking comes with an accustomed sense of reserve, the Central Coast has a more Hipster-Meets-Hollywood slackerglam about it. Hip young wineries make bold choices both with their wine and their brand, and the wine lovers who live their often find themselves bouncing around a bubbly social life, hobnobbing with celebrities and jaunting back and forth between LA for this trunk show or that special wine event.
Needless to say that during these dinner parties, we get the complete low-down on what is “in” and what is “out” according to our very “in-the-know” Central Coast crew.
On this particular dinner party, my glass was constantly filled with a tasting of some new and delicious GSM, also known as a Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre blend — or a Cotes du Rhone Blend. “You must try the new GSM, Emily, from such and such winery, its superb”. And indeed it was. I saw myself walking around glass in hand, half listening to the conversations half hoping someone would notice my outstretched glass and lovingly fill it up with the good stuff — that GSM, I was hooked.
Maybe it was the candied fruit and cinnamon spice flavors of the Grenache, or the sultry dark fruit notes of the Syrah, a varietal known to bring a sort of savory component to the drink. Or maybe it was the subtle finish of the Mourvèdre, with the floral aromas and bitter tannins. Every component of a delicious GSM is well balanced and sparks the palate like a bold story of flavors hitting a new emotion beginning, middle and end.
While this Cotes Du Rhone blend finds its roots in France, and parts of Spain. The flavor loving wine junkies out in Paso Robles California have found a very willing market, nestled in with the bold cabernet sauvignon lovers and classic dark and smokey Syrah enthusiasts. GSM is the nuanced varietal blend that can create a buzz in this Hollywood-type crowd — Where the classic is yesterday’s news and being in the know to what’s hip and on trend is always on topic and isn’t afraid to be generously passed around at a dinner party.
