Wines of Summer Tasting. The Savory Grape and Main Street Coffee will hold its Wines of Summer tasting on Monday, June 18th at 7 pm. Only a few tickets are left for this last tasting of the season and are available at Main Street Coffee for $22. For more information, please contact The Savory Grape (886-9463) or Main Street Coffee (885-8787).

East Greenwich Main Street Stroll. Please join us and other East Greenwich businesses on Thurs., June 21 from 5-8 pm for the town's Main Street Stroll. Artists and musicians will be present on Main Street, and many businesses will be open late. We look forward to seeing you at The Savory Grape for a special wine tasting and treats that evening!

One of the best things to happen for red wine drinkers in the last few years is the emergence of Rhône wines (Shiraz/Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre) from France and Rhône -style wines from California, Australia and South Africa. Sometimes there is a little confusion with the Shiraz/Syrah concept. Two historical explanations are as follows: Syrah originated in and around the ancient Persian town known as Shiraz, hence the name. Or French Huguenots brought Syrah, which was re-christened Shiraz, to South Africa's Cape of Good Hope in the 17th century and eventually then brought to Australia where it has become a leader in the wine industry.

Syrah/Shiraz is multifaceted, characterized by Karen MacNiel author of "The Wine Bible" as a man in cowboy boots who wears a tuxedo. Perfectly put, as Syrah can be vigorous, generous, savory, fruity, smoky, earthy, and robust yet casual, but above all else it can be uncomplicated fun without sacrificing flavor.

Syrah from the Rhône and Languedoc in France run the flavor gamut of boisterous and wild to elegant and round. This generally happens north to south, from the steep slopes and Mistral winds in the north to the softer more rounded terrain in the south. In California and Australia you get a lot of warm friendly fruit character as well as boisterous exuberance. Syrah/Shiraz also lends itself to blending most of the time with other red grapes but sometimes with white grapes such as Viognier, Rousanne or Marsanne. We have many of these wines, blended not blended, robust and soft, and suggest you try some to explore the multifaceted wines of Syrah/Shiraz.

2003 Small Gully Marananga Shiraz, Australia. Established in 1999, Small Gully is literally situated in a 'small gully' in the Barossa Valley. Produced from old, low yielding vines, this wine shows classic Shiraz fruit, possessing classic Barossa attributes of blueberries, dark plums, and spice framed with hints of toasty vanilla. Left to age in new American oak for 20 months, this intense and rich wine will drink well now and also will reward careful cellaring for 5-10 years. ($18.99)

2004 Jade Mountain Syrah, California. The winery was founded with the belief that carefully chosen California vineyard sites planted to Rhône grape varieties can achieve quality on a par with the best from France and Australia, and this wine is made in that traditional Rhône fashion, giving a full-bodied red that is rich and fruity with a velvety finish. It has beautiful aromas of nutmeg, blueberry crème and sage. On the palate, you notice layers of boysenberry, huckleberry, and vanilla wrapped in silky tannins and good acidity. It's smooth enough to drink on its own, or you could pair it with summer grilled selections like lamb or beef kabobs. ($16.99)

2004 Castelmaure Clos des Vents, Corbieres. The Languedoc region in France delivers some of the best values in robust red wines. This is a fat, ripe and juicy wine with the spicy, roasted quality to the fruit one finds in southern Rhône Valley wines. This is not unexpected, considering the hot climate of Corbieres and use of classic Rhône varietals of Syrah and Grenache blended with old vine Carignane grapes indigenous to the Languedoc. A true delight! ($11.49)

2005 Montinore Estate Pinot Gris, Oregon. Montinore Estate is a family-owned and operated winery in Oregon's famed Willamette Valley. The Pinot Gris has a brilliant straw gold color inviting you to aromas of ripe pear, newly mown hay, and herbs while the palate has rich flavors of ripe pear, yellow apple with accents of hazelnut. This is a delightful white for summer. ($13.99)

Friday, June 15 (5 pm to 8 pm) French Tasting

• 2004 Castelmaure Clos des Vents, Corbieres. The Languedoc region in France delivers some of the best values in robust red wines. This is a fat, ripe and juicy wine with the spicy, roasted quality to the fruit one finds in southern Rhône Valley wines. This is not unexpected, considering the hot climate of Corbieres and use of classic Rhône varietals of Syrah and Grenache blended with old vine Carignane grapes indigenous to the Languedoc. ($11.49)

• 2005 Chartron La Fleur Blanc, Bordeaux. Featured in last week's Savory Selections and loved thus far by those trying it, this is a great Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux. On the nose, we note bright citrus and green apple aromas; while on the palate, we get crisp melon flavors with smooth lemon-lime undertones and a touch of minerality and herbaceousness. Superb with salads of summer, citrus rubbed chicken and light grilled white fish. ($10.49)

• 2005 Domaine de Bel Air Pouilly Fume, Loire. This is a lovely white wine from France's illustrious Loire Valley! The nose hints of white peach, apricot and subtle wood and earthy aromas. In the mouth, vivacious fruit and crisp mineral flavors spark the palate. However the ending has lingering delicate fruit. This is a wonderful white wine filled with flavor and personality. ($13.99)

Saturday, June 16 (3 pm to 7 pm) Rosenblum Cellars Tasting

• 2005 Rosenblum Kathy's Cuvee Viognier. Sourced from two distinct vineyards, grapes for this wine were gently pressed and fermented for over two months in a mixture of French, American oak and stainless steel barrels. An exotic and seductive wine, beautiful aromas of apricots, peaches and citrus fruit are found in concert with vanilla bean and cinnamon. The palate is loaded with round flavors of honey and tropical fruits as well as creamy vanilla and toasted oak notes. ($20.99)

• 2005 Chateau La Paws Blanc. A recent wine club selection that has been liked by many, this charming white has been crafted by blending four varietals (Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Marsanne and Rousanne) from four premium vineyards in some of California's foremost winegrowing regions. It shows refreshing pear, melon and mango, followed by flavors of apple, peach and creamy vanilla. This is an ideal wine for seafood, including oysters on the half shell. ($14.49)

• 2005 Rosenblum Heritage Clones Petite Syrah. This wine exhibits great color with a bouquet and flavors of ripe blackberries, plums, chocolate, black pepper, violets and spice. This wine is amazing both in aromatics and flavors, not to mention the color, which is jet black. The perfect wine for hearty fare such as mixed sausage ragu, barbecue smoked prime rib, leg of lamb on a bed of thyme, or a good old-fashioned pot roast. ($20.99)

email: jessica@thesavorygrape.com

phone: 401.886.9463

web: http://www.thesavorygrape.com