France, Rhône Valley
Wine is being produced throughout France and has been done for over 2,500 years with certain Châteaux dating their history back to Roman times, around 6th Century BC. Ranking second in the world in per-capita consumption and first in total production quantity. More-so than the overall quantity of wine is the quantity of truly great wines coming out of France makes the nation the envy of wine-making nations worldwide.
Two concepts pivotal to the higher end French wines, in particular, are the idea of 'terroir' and the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system. Terroir refers to the way the geography, geology and climate find their way into the glass, telling a story of the origin of the wine. The AOC was set up in 1935 and has the primary goal of protecting the authenticity of the wines and the livelihoods of the producers. Appellation rules strictly define which varieties of grapes and winemaking practices are approved for classification in each of France's several hundred geographically defined appellations, which can cover entire regions, individual villages or in some cases, like in Burgundy even specific vineyards.
Classic wine regions in France include Champagne (home of Champagne), Burgundy (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot), Alsace (Aromatic varietals), Loire Valley (Chenin Blanc, Crémant) and the Rhône Valley (Syrah, Grenache Mourvedre)
The Bordeaux classification of 1855 is still in use, as is the Sauternes and Barsac Classification of the same year. Wines from certain regions can be bought En Primeur, which is when the wine is sold prior to it being bottled.
The Rhône Valley is in the South of France and is situated in the Rhône river valley. The region has been growing wines for centuries and is generally split into two sub-regions. In the Northern Rhône, Syrah is the predominant grape variety, though it is often blended with other white varieties like Marsanne, Rousanne and Viognier, or the red grape Mourvedre. In the Southern Rhône, a wide range of white, red and rosés are produced alongside the undisputed king of the Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
The Northern Rhône is cooler than the Southern Rhône and has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winter. The appellations from North to South are Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Château-Grillet, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Cornas and Saint-Péray.
In Southern Rhône, the climate is more Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot summers. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the most famous appellation but others include Côtes du Rhône, Gigondas and Lirac. Large pebbles are used in the region, placed at the base of the vines to absorb the suns heat during the day, to keep the vines warm at night.
Châteauneuf-du-Papes are blended from the 13 permitted grape varieties, though Grenache usually dominates, supported by Syrah and Mourvèdre. These wines can be supremely rich and complex and typically warrant 5-10 years in the cellar for best results.
Two concepts pivotal to the higher end French wines, in particular, are the idea of 'terroir' and the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system. Terroir refers to the way the geography, geology and climate find their way into the glass, telling a story of the origin of the wine. The AOC was set up in 1935 and has the primary goal of protecting the authenticity of the wines and the livelihoods of the producers. Appellation rules strictly define which varieties of grapes and winemaking practices are approved for classification in each of France's several hundred geographically defined appellations, which can cover entire regions, individual villages or in some cases, like in Burgundy even specific vineyards.
Classic wine regions in France include Champagne (home of Champagne), Burgundy (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot), Alsace (Aromatic varietals), Loire Valley (Chenin Blanc, Crémant) and the Rhône Valley (Syrah, Grenache Mourvedre)
The Bordeaux classification of 1855 is still in use, as is the Sauternes and Barsac Classification of the same year. Wines from certain regions can be bought En Primeur, which is when the wine is sold prior to it being bottled.
The Rhône Valley is in the South of France and is situated in the Rhône river valley. The region has been growing wines for centuries and is generally split into two sub-regions. In the Northern Rhône, Syrah is the predominant grape variety, though it is often blended with other white varieties like Marsanne, Rousanne and Viognier, or the red grape Mourvedre. In the Southern Rhône, a wide range of white, red and rosés are produced alongside the undisputed king of the Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
The Northern Rhône is cooler than the Southern Rhône and has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winter. The appellations from North to South are Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Château-Grillet, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Cornas and Saint-Péray.
In Southern Rhône, the climate is more Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot summers. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the most famous appellation but others include Côtes du Rhône, Gigondas and Lirac. Large pebbles are used in the region, placed at the base of the vines to absorb the suns heat during the day, to keep the vines warm at night.
Châteauneuf-du-Papes are blended from the 13 permitted grape varieties, though Grenache usually dominates, supported by Syrah and Mourvèdre. These wines can be supremely rich and complex and typically warrant 5-10 years in the cellar for best results.
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Sourced entirely from a vineyard that borders the esteemed Chateauneuf du Pape region, with identical 'Galet' stone soils. Awarded a Gold Medal at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Wine Challenge, this is absolutely astounding value for money. A brooding nose of ... Learn MoreDomaine Les Cassanets Cotes Du Rhone 2020$14.99 Per item -
Sourced entirely from a vineyard that borders the esteemed Chateauneuf du Pape region, with identical 'Galet' stone soils. Awarded a Gold Medal at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Wine Challenge, this is absolutely astounding value for money. A brooding nose of ... Learn MoreDomaine Les Cassanets Cotes Du Rhone 2019$14.99 Per item -
Sourced from the warm and sunny Vaucluse region of the South of France, renowned for making crisp, delicious rose for a bargain price. Gorgeous pale salmon colour, with an equally pretty nose of strawberries and cream. Exceptionally well made, crisp, ... Learn MoreA L'Ombre Des Parasols Vaucluse Rose 2019$14.99 Per item -
Sourced from the warm and sunny Vaucluse region of the South of France, renowned for making crisp, delicious rose for a bargain price. Gorgeous pale salmon colour, with an equally pretty nose of strawberries and cream. Exceptionally well made, crisp, ... Learn MoreA L'Ombre Des Parasols Vaucluse Rose 2018$14.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Sourced entirely from a vineyard that borders the esteemed Chateauneuf du Pape region, with identical 'Galet' stone soils. Awarded a Gold Medal at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Wine Challenge, this is absolutely astounding value for money. A brooding nose of ... Learn MoreDomaine Des Cassanets Cotes Du Rhone 2017$14.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Following careful selection of the best wines in the cellar, we make a single blend, which will be bottled at the Estate about eighteen months after the harvest. Loaded with red and black berries, beautiful violets, dried provincial herbs and ... Learn MoreMont-Redon Reserve Cotes Du Rhone 2016$21.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Small red fruits, blackberry and floral violet aromas. Intensely aromatic, powerful but full of finesse. As with the white, the quality of the basic Côtes du Rhône is more than noteworthy, especially when you consider the quantity produced. ... Learn MoreE. Guigal Côtes-Du-Rhône Rouge 2017$23.49 Per item -
Small red fruits, blackberry and floral violet aromas. Intensely aromatic, powerful but full of finesse. As with the white, the quality of the basic Côtes du Rhône is more than noteworthy, especially when you consider the quantity produced. ... Learn MoreE. Guigal Côtes-Du-Rhône Rouge 2016$23.49 Per itemOut of stock -
Fresh but disciplined. A blend of Syrah and Grenache, our Rosé is a finely textured, complex Syrah-Grenache blend. Importantly, it is made in a multi-step process relying on skin contact - a short maceration, not by the traditional saignée ... Learn MoreChene Bleu Le Rose 2018$23.99 Per item -
One of the most exciting new wines from this rapidly modernising region. Made by Philippe Cambie, former winemaker at Chateau Rayas. Cambie has received 100 point scores fifteen times and was also awarded global winemaker of the year in 2010 by critic ... Learn MoreOut of stock -
Voted one of the Top 5 Producers by Decanter Magazine in 2018, alongside some of the most well-known producers, Domaine JL Chave and M Chapoutier. A nose of granitic earth, smoke, garrigue herbs and blueberries. Intense palate of smoked, grilled, cured meats, ... Learn MoreVignobles Chirat Syrah Viognier 2018$24.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Intense, brilliant garnet-red colour. It reveals lovely fruit, loads of body and a heady bouquet of ground peppers, raspberries cherry liqueur, currants, and spice box. Full-bodied and dense, it tastes more like a “baby Châteauneuf” than a Côtes ... Learn MoreAlain Jaume Cotes Du Rhone Les Champauvins 2016$24.99 Per itemOut of stock -
60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and Cinsault. This delicious, fresh and lively wines was fermented and matured in stainless steel creating a wineto drink and enjoy over the next 1-2 years. ... Learn MoreRive Droite Rive Gauche Cotes Du Rhone 2017$24.99 Per itemOut of stock -
One of the most exciting new wines from this rapidly modernising region. Made by Philippe Cambie, former winemaker at Chateau Rayas. Cambie has received 100 point scores fifteen times and was also awarded global winemaker of the year in 2010 by critic ... Learn MoreHeredita Cotes Du Rhone 2017$24.99 Per itemOut of stock -
One of the most exciting new wines from this rapidly modernising region. Made by Philippe Cambie, former winemaker at Chateau Rayas. Cambie has received 100 point scores fifteen times and was also awarded global winemaker of the year in 2010 by critic ... Learn More -
The ancient Côtes-du-Rhône Villages vineyards of LES CASSAGNES are located in Sérignan-du-Comtat in Domaine de la Renjarde and managed by the Château La Nerthe team with the same passion and experience for which the esteemed Châ ... Learn MoreLa Nerthe 'Les Cassagnes' Cotes Du Rhone 2019$33.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The ancient Côtes-du-Rhône Villages vineyards of LES CASSAGNES are located in Sérignan-du-Comtat in Domaine de la Renjarde and managed by the Château La Nerthe team with the same passion and experience for which the esteemed Châ ... Learn MoreLa Nerthe 'Les Cassagnes' Cotes Du Rhone 2018$33.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Intense inky colour. On the nose, aromas of red and black ripe fruit (kirsch and wild Blackberry) are dominant. The mouth is full, with aromas of blackcurrant liquor and spice. Tannins are both harmonious and elegant thanks to the fleshy ... Learn MoreOut of stock -
Domaine Michelas st Jemms are the oldest individual winery in Crozes Hermitage established in 1961. They were the first family to leave the Cave de Tain cooperative, becoming the first independent in the region, and setting the stage for many others ... Learn MoreDomaine Michelas St Jemms Crozes Hermitage Fleur De Syrahne 2018$34.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The Gigondas comes from a UNESCO heritage site known as the Montmirail hill, that is unlike any other vineyard on Earth. The soils are white granite rocks, and produce intense, complex reds. Domaine Brusset are one of the largest vineyard ... Learn MoreDomaine Brusset Gigondas Tradition Grand Montmirail 2017$39.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Pretty aromatic freshness on the nose with floral notes. Laudable balance of sweetness and freshness with a good weight of fruit, lively acidity and a long, refreshing finish. Lovely wine! - Decanter ... Learn MoreDomaine de la Pigeade Muscat Beaumes de Venise 2018$44.99 Per item -
Domaine Michelas st Jemms are the oldest individual winery in Crozes Hermitage established in 1961. They were the first family to leave the Cave de Tain cooperative, becoming the first independent in the region, and setting the stage for many others ... Learn MoreDomaine Michelas St Jemms Crozes Hermitage La Chasseliere 2017$44.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The color is of an intense black. The nose shows a delicate but complex bouquet of aromas: pretty notes of black fruit (blackcurrant, blackberries), smoked and grilled notes and sweet spices. In the mouth, the attack is full of freshness, ... Learn MoreDomaine Les Alexandrins Crozes Hermitage 2016$54.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Maturing is done on fine lees, in second-hand oak casks. ... Learn MoreHerve Souhaut Gamay La Souteronne 2020$59.00 Per itemOut of stock -
This wine is 100% Syrah sourced from a parcel of 30-year-old vines located on the slopes of the Doux river. ... Learn MoreHerve Souhaut Syrah 2020$59.99 Per itemOut of stock -
25% Grenache Noir, 25% Carignan, 25% Mourvèdre, 25% Counoise. "Slightly evolved notes of ripe apple, lees, orange rind and buttered citrus. a balanced, supple texture and nicely integrated acidity, it finishes clean and dry." Jeb Dunnuck ... Learn MoreDomaine Gourt De Mautens Rose 2011$59.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The color is of an intense black. The nose shows a delicate but complex bouquet of aromas: pretty notes of black fruit (blackcurrant, blackberries), smoked and grilled notes and sweet spices. In the mouth, the attack is full of freshness, ... Learn MoreDomaine Les Alexandrins Crozes Hermitage 2017$64.99 Per item -
As Andrew Jefford writes in The New France, “The Chave line … could make a fair claim to be France’s winemaking royal family: in no other of France’s great terroirs is the largest individual landholder so deeply rooted in ... Learn MoreJl Chave Crozes-Hermitage Rouge Silene 2018$65.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Aromas of cinnamon spice, plum, brown mushroom and flint. An impressive deep ruby red, clear colour. Medium to full bodied dry Rhone Blend, diameter of 14.5%. Complex wine with predominantly raspberry and cherry fruit and meaty gamey flavours. Also earthy soil, ... Learn MoreMaison de Grand Esprit Chateauneuf du Pape Les Seize Galets 2008$69.00 Per itemOut of stock -
The flagship comes largely from the Reynard lieu-dit (unquestionably one of the finest vineyards in the appellation) and the oldest vines of the estate. The lots destined for this cuvée offered another level of richness and depth, with more ... Learn MoreSt Damien Louisiane Gigondas 2015$69.00 Per itemOut of stock -
70% Grenache noir, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre. An intense dark-ruby colour. The nose develop aromas of ripe black fruit (such as blackberry), cherry and spice box. The palate reveals the presence of tannins, in high quantity and elegant. The finish is long ... Learn MoreAlain Jaume Chateauneuf Du Pape Le Miocene 2017$69.99 Per itemOut of stock -
A beautiful red color with purple undertones, this wine develops aromas of black fruit, slightly roasted cocoa, pepper and sweet spices. The mouth is full of freshness, with fine tannins that give it volume and roundness. The finish is long ... Learn MoreDomaine Les Alexandrins St Joseph 2017$74.99 Per item -
This Gigondas comes from a UNESCO heritage site known as the Montmirail hill, that is unlike any other vineyard on Earth. The soils are white granite rocks, and produce intense, complex reds. Domaine Brusset are one of the largest vineyard ... Learn More -
Fermented in tank then racked into Burgundy barrels: 10% new, 30% one year old, 30% two years old and 30% three years old. Fresh, vibrant and spicy. Lovely notes of dark fruit, herb and licorice. A bright, sappy, juicy, red fruited wine with a ... Learn MoreMaxime Graillot Domaine Des Lises Crozes Hermitage Rouge 2016$74.99 Per itemOut of stock -
This Gigondas comes from a UNESCO heritage site known as the Montmirail hill, that is unlike any other vineyard on Earth. The soils are white granite rocks, and produce intense, complex reds. Domaine Brusset are one of the largest vineyard ... Learn MoreDomaine Brusset Gigondas Les Hauts De Montmirail 2017$74.99 Per itemOut of stock -
A beautiful red color with purple undertones, this wine develops aromas of black fruit, slightly roasted cocoa, pepper and sweet spices. The mouth is full of freshness, with fine tannins that give it volume and roundness. The finish is long ... Learn MoreDomaine Les Alexandrins St Joseph 2016$74.99 Per itemOut of stock -
70% Grenache noir, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre. An intense dark-ruby colour. The nose develop aromas of ripe black fruit (such as blackberry), cherry and spice box. The palate reveals the presence of tannins, in high quantity and elegant. The finish is long ... Learn MoreAlain Jaume Chateauneuf Du Pape Le Miocene 2018$80.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Domaine Michelas st Jemms are the oldest individual winery in Crozes Hermitage established in 1961. They were the first family to leave the Cave de Tain cooperative, becoming the first independent in the region, and setting the stage for many others ... Learn MoreDomaine Michelas St Jemms Crozes Hermitage Terres D'Arce 2016$89.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Fading garnet with a pale rim. Warm, jammy (in an attractive sense) nose and real structure and balance. Such a pleasure to taste proper Chateauneuf with some age on it that is not made to match a price for a ... Learn MoreMont-Redon Chateaneuf du Pape 2012$90.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Located in the southeastern part of Chateauneuf du Pape and located mainly on the prime La Crau plateau, this classic and traditional estate has been run by the Brunier family for generations. ... Learn MoreDomaine Du Vieux Telegraphe Telegramme Chateauneuf Du Pape 2015$90.00 Per itemOut of stock
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