Rhone/southern France Areas
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Rhone/southern France Areas
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A granitic territory of hilly outcrops and green valleys given over entirely to Syrah in red wine production, where at its best the wines are fragrant and structured and reminiscent of Burgundy. Whites are famously from Viognier and more discreetly from Marsanne and Roussanne. Cornas is arguably the soul of the region, but Hermitage, around Tain the capital makes the finest wines, both red and...
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The Southern Rhone is a huge area stretching down to the coast and includes some of wine`s most famous names as well as being home to the simple yet often delicious category of the Cotes du Rhone. Villages like Gigondas, Rasteau and Chateauneuf-du-Pape vie to produce the finest of hedonistic wines, while Tavel and Lirac are most famous for their roses.
The region is in a state of almost... -
A year in Provence. Only the hardest soul would not have laughed at the death of tiny Tim, and so it was with this tome, for years bathroom reading matter. The wines of this area are often condemned as yet more overpriced Rosé, yet the best of these are brilliant in their own right. As well, within Provence we find the Bandol AOC, home to some of the world`s finest Mourvedre, of which...
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Too often lumped together with Roussillon, as if they were the same geographically or vinously. Most of the vineyards are planted on fairly fertile alluvial plains and the region still produces the bulk of France`s bulk wine. And here is the problem, for in a world that is drinking less but better - despite the current moral panic over alcohol consumption, the cheap and often less than cheerful...
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To an extent the unknown cousin of the Languedoc. Many drinkers don`t really have an idea of the fine wines produced in this region of France. In fact you might have more success linking them to wines from Montsant and Priorat in Catalan Spain than with the neighbours in Languedoc. It has also been difficult for the bureaucrats, both in Paris and Brussels to understand the region. They haven`t...
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La France Profonde indeed, encompassing some of the most obscure regions and grape varieties the country has to offer. As an over view, you`ll find the food in this rustic haven simple and robust and the wines are perfect accompaniment with their tannins and deep flavours. We`re talking Malbec, Tannat, Carmenére among the red varieties and the Mansengs amongst the whites. A characterful...
