Comments on: Rhone Rangers – What Would You Do ??!?!?

By: Michele

Michele — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:40:04 +0000

hi there! the use of Rhone Rangers caught my eye, as did grenache… i am not terribly educated as far as wines are concerned, but i have learned enough to know what i like, regardless of label, vintner etc. i adore grenache.. i love GSM’s… if there’s enough grenache, then i am there. i am curious about YOUR grenache… my current top of the line grenache is the Beckmen… how does yours compare? i have gathered that ‘Rhone Rangers’ can vary quite a bit from northern to southern style and i would love to learn more about YOUR style. i saw you on facebook and would love to be able to take advantage of your offer.

i hope this is an okay query for this forum. if i have misstepped, then please contact me via my email address and i will apologize thanks!

…michele the grenache lover

By: Larry Chandler

Larry Chandler — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:20:10 +0000

I completely agree with Amy. Rhone means nothing to people. People talk of Cabernet or Merlot, not Bordeaux. People say Pinot Noir, they don’t say Burgundy.

Talking about Rhone Rangers, or Hospices du Rhone really do not resonate with consumers. And if some say Syrah, some say Shiraz, and some say Rhone Varietals, there is a branding issue here.

I don’t know what the solution is (did Meritage ever really gain traction?), but I’m with you. I love Syrah more than Cab or Merlot or Zinfandel. (Pinot Noir still gets the gold, at least for now–but who knows.)

I would love to see Syrah take its rightful place as one of the greatest–and most popular–wine grapes.

By: Larry

Larry — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:18:39 +0000

Amy,

Thanks for the reply! And I really dig your idea – was as an organization (and WE as an INDUSTRY) need to do a better job educating consumers about a LOT of things wine-related . . .

I hope to hear more from others – and pass along what’s going on with the organization and changes being made as the year continues . . .

Cheers!

By: amy

amy — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:06:21 +0000

Larry
Congrats! As I’ve said before, I love all of the Rhone grapes. However, when I think of consumers like my mother, she enjoys syrah but rhone would mean nothing to her.I wonder if there is a way to do outreach that would educate consumers like her?