Wine Tasting Invitation from Our Friend

Last Friday, our friend Mia, invited us to a wine tasting organized by sommelier James Sligh. Mia hosted this event at her neighbor's Brian and Jessie's home. The unifying theme was natural wines chosen from wineries along the Rhone River.
James sent Mia, the following wines:

It was an event held on line with others around the country signing in. This was a first for us and it was very interesting to participate in with explanations from James. Mia, Brian, Jessie and we brought food to nosh on while tasting and learning about the wines.
The first wine we tasted was the O Faya Farm 2022 Jutz D'Heida, a white wine from the Valais region in Switzerland. It is a natural wine made by Ilona (Thetax) Hunkeler from the Savagnin grape. The Savagnin grape is one of the Founder Varieties so it was very interesting to me to taste a wine made from this grape. The synonym for the Savagnin grape is Traminer and the Gewurztraminer grape is the aromatic, pink-skinned mutation of Savagnin. Interestingly, Savagnin is also one of the parents of Chenin Blanc.
The next wine was the l'Aitennement Nebula from Savoie, Franc. It was a blend of Douce Noire and Mondeuse. There was a discussion on what the Douce Noire and Mondeuse grapes are, which was interesting. What I learned is that Douce Noire is another name for Charbono, grown in the Savoy region. We recently had a close encounter with Charbono when we visited Robert Foley. Mondeuse is another grape grown in the Savoy region. The wine was a very nice easy drinking red wine.
Full disclosure, the rest of the wines were much less discussed, but tasted and enjoyed. The le Cortis Brisure was a blend of 50% Altesse, 50% Gamay Teinturier (red-fleshed Gamay). The Vin de France 2022 le Grand Blanc was a blend of 50% Roussane, 30% Marsanne and 20% Viognier. Early in my wine drinking life I had a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape which forever spoiled my appreciation of Roussane, Marsanne and Viognier. I taste petrol and an oiliness that I can't bring myself to appreciate. Also on the tasting lineup was the Thibaud Capellaro 2022 Pierre Taillee Syrah. The 2023 Lirac Romain le Bars Rose was the final wine in the lineup made from Mourvèdre. It was a very pleasant gathering and learning experience.
James Sligh is an artist and sent Mia the following water color of the Rhone and where the wine we tasted is located along the path of the river.

It was a very unique experience to participate in and we are grateful to have been included in this wine tasting. Thank you, Mia, Brian and Jessie!