Ever Wonder? What is a GSM Wine?

You may have come across a wine either on a wine list or on the store shelf that’s called a “GSM” and wondered what kind of wine it is. So, let’s take a look at this funny acronym wine.

A “GSM” wine refers to a blend of three specific grape varieties: Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. This blend was first developed in the Rhône Valley of France where it has been made for centuries. But today, it has also become popular in regions like Australia (especially in the Barossa Valley), California (especially Paso Robles), and other New World wine regions.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the three grape varieties that make up a GSM blend:

  • Grenache (Greh-NAHSH): Known for its red fruit flavors, such as strawberry and raspberry, and often has a spiciness or subtle peppery note. It provides body and fruitiness to the blend.

  • Syrah (Sir-AH): Known for adding dark fruit flavors (blackberry, plum), along with spicy, savory, and smoky characteristics. It can contribute structure and depth.

  • Mourvèdre (Moor-VEH-druh): Often adds tannins and acidity, along with earthy, gamey, and sometimes leathery flavors. It helps balance the fruitiness of Grenache and the intensity of Syrah.

The GSM blend is best known for being well-rounded, with good fruit flavors, structure, and spice. Grenache is the primary flavor contributor with red-fruit flavor of cherry, raspberry and strawberry. The Syrah provides dark fruit flavors such as plum, blackberry and blueberry. The Mourvèdre adds blackberry and fig notes while also adding herbal notes.

Depending on where it’s grown and how it’s made, a GSM can range from light and approachable to bold and complex, but typically falling in the medium-bodied class of wines.

So, next time you see a GSM blend give it a try. It’s a very versatile and affordable wine. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Ramey Claret

2017 Ramey Claret ($39.98)

David and Carla Ramey founded their winery in 1996 and forged a new California winemaking style that paired old-world techniques with the premier fruit of Sonoma and Napa.

The Ramey family has long excelled at collaborating with other multigenerational winegrowers to make single vineyard wines as well as blends that showcase the defining characteristics of their sites. The second generation, Claire and Alan Ramey, began working at the winery in 2013.

As described in the previous blog, a Claret wine is a red wine blend. And, this Claret is a blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 14% Malbec, 12% Petit Verdot, 8% Syrah and 2% Cabernet Franc - a classic Bordeaux blend. The grapes were sourced from Napa Valley, High Valley, Alexander Valley, the Russian River Valley and Sonoma County.

After fermentation, the wine underwent Malolactic conversion in the barrel, and the wines were blended. The blend rested on its lees for twelve months in French & American oak barrels (24% new), with monthly bâtonnage.

This Ramey Claret is deep purple in color with rich aromas of black cherries, cedar, bay leaves, tobacco and chocolate. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has wonderful deep dark fruit flavors, smooth tannins, balanced acidity and finishes long and smooth.

This 2017 Ramey Claret is a really terrific wine and an exceptional value. A perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Ever Wonder? What is a Claret Wine?

“Claret” (rhymes with Carrot) is a traditional British term for red wine from Bordeaux.

The term is derived from the word clairet in French which originally referred to a light-colored, pale red wine that was popular in medieval England after Bordeaux became part of the English crown in the 12th–15th centuries. They were short fermentation wines (1-2 days). The short fermentation and skin-contact time of these wines probably resulted in wines that we’d call a rosé today.

But, over time, the meaning has shifted away from those early pale red wines. Today, in Britain, claret simply means a dry red wine from the Bordeaux region of France. These blends are usually made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc (sometimes with Petit Verdot and Malbec).

So, the term “Claret” isn’t an official French wine classification. And, you’re not going to find “Claret” on labels from France. But the term is still widely used in the UK and US for red wine blends.

Next time you see “Claret” on a wine label or on a wine list, give it a try! Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Lucia Victoria Reserva Rioja

2018 Lucía Victoria Reserva Rioja ($8)

D.O. 5 Hispanobodegas is a group of wineries which produces and distributes quality wines from the most emblematic Officially Certified Wine growing Regions of Spain: Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Rueda.

Their group is made up of a set of three wineries: Bodegas Valdelacierva (Rioja), Viñedos y Bodegas Gormaz (Ribera del Duero) and Bodegas GarciGrande (Rueda).

Their wines are based on the rigorous control of the production processes, from the raw material until it is in the hands of the consumer as well as in the continuous improvement of the vinification and aging processes. To this end, they have the most stringent quality and food safety certifications (ISO, BRC, IFS) in each of their group’s wineries.

This Lucía Victoria Reserva Rioja was bottled for D.O. 5 Hispanobodegas. It is produced from 50+ year old Tempranillo vines that are grown at at altitude of nearly 1500 feet. After fermentation, it is aged 24 months in French and American 225 liter oak barrels followed by 12 months in the bottle before being shipped.

The wine is a beautiful medium purple in color with aromas of red and black cherry, fig and plum. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has nice flavors of red and black cherry, medium tannin, medium-high acidity and has a spicy finish with very a subtle hint of tartness.

Finding a 2018 wine under $10 is fantastic. And, it tastes great too! This make the Lucía Victoria Reserva Rioja the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Reserva is Actually a Meaningful Term When It Appears on a Spanish Wine Label

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

In the U.S., the term “Reserve” on a wine label is not legally regulated. It can just be a marketing term to get consumer to believe the wine is somehow better than others. Or, it can actually mean that the winery has indeed gone above and beyond with higher quality grapes, longer aging or limited production. So, it’s buyer beware.

But, in Spain, the term "Reserva" is a legally regulated classification that indicates both minimum aging requirements and often a higher quality level compared to standard wines.

The term “Reserva” is regulated under Spanish wine laws (Denominación de Origen - DO, or Denominación de Origen Calificada - DOCa). A “Reserva” wine usually implies better grape selection and greater aging potential than a standard wine.

It should also be noted that “Reserva” is considered a step above "Crianza" and a step below "Gran Reserva" in aging hierarchy:

For Red (“Tinta”) wines:

  • Crianza = 2 years minimum aging with 1 year in oak

  • Reserva = 3 years minimum aging with 1 year in oak

  • Gran Reserva = 5 years total aging with 2 years in oak and 3 years in the bottle

So, next time you’re shopping for a Spanish wine, be sure to pay attention to the label. There are real differences. Cheers!