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Rhone

Wine Tours of the RHONE Region of France

The Rhone is really two separate wine tours. In the North you have the area between the towns of Vienne and Valence defined by the wine areas of Condriey and St-Péray. It is here the dominate grape is Syrah which produces the deep, dark long-living reds such as Hermitage and Côte Rôtie. Also the fine whites from Viognier of Condrieu plus some well-structured wines from Marsanne and Roussanne grapes. Moving south along the valley you encounter a 54 kilometre "no vines-land" of nuclear power stations, wind generators, factories and fruit trees but hardly a vineyard. The southern Rhone vineyards start round Donzere and spread out over the Rhone delta to round Avignon. Here the Grenache Noir is the supreme grape and the quality appellations of Château-du-Pape, Gigonadas and Varqueyras are well-known along with other areas producing wines from up to 23 grape varieties in some areas. In the south the bulk of the grapes are processed by grower cooperatives hence they are a good starting point for your southern Rhone wine tour.

ONE DAY/ONE STOP Côte du Rhône Experience

If you are limited for time then a visit it a local cave of a vigerons cooperative is one of the best ways to experience the wine of the area. They generally have an extensive range both in styles and quality and the modern cave cooperative will be able to offer you everything from bulk by the litre vin du table wines up to selected reserve wines that reflect the winemakers skills. We selected Les Vignerons du Castellas.

Cave Visit - Les Vignerons du Castellas

	A visit it a local cave of a vigerons cooperative is one of the best ways to experience the wine of the area. We selected Les Vignerons du Castellas. Contact details Les Vignerons du Castellas Avenue de Signargues, 30650 ROCHEFORT, France Tel: 04 90 26 62 66 Fax; 04 90 26 62 64 Website: www.vignerons-castelas.com A winery cooperative of 77 growers spread over 550 hectares with the vineyard split into: 30 ha of A.O.C. White Côtes du Rhône; 340 ha of A.O.C. Rosé and Red Côtes du Rhône; 189 ha of A.O.C. Red Côtes du Rhône Villages The winery is constantly under-going up-dating to reflect the latest techniques in vinification, and this is reflected in their wines especially the white wines. They presently produce a range of 8 classic styles (3 white, 21 rose and 4 reds), a reserve range of 3 styles (2 white & 1 red) plus 3 varietal vin du Pays ( Syrah Rouge, Syrah Rose, Viognier Blanc) They generously allowed us to sample the whole range and we have reviewed several but they were all excellent styles and great value.
	Reviewed Les Vignerons du Castellas Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2007 13% alc. 4.80€ From selected parcels the blend was Grenache Blanc and Roussanne with low temperature fermentation and aging on the lees for 8 months. The result was a wine with a bright golden robe and delightful aromas of peaches and pears and a little citrus. On the palate it was very pleasant with more fruit flavours of peaches, almonds and likes with a lively refreshing citrus finish. The final lingering taste was pleasant reflecting excellent balance and length. This wine took me by surprise -a exceptional wine full of class and style - magnificent! Les Vignerons du Castellas Côtes du Rhône Villages Rouge - Signargues 2006 13.5% alc. 6.30€ From the reserve range, a wine made from parcels of Vielles Vignes, old vines, on the single soils Villafranchiennes Terraces of Signargues. Blend is 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Carignan. The low yield grapes has resulted in a wine with concentrated colour and flavours. In the glass a deep garnet colour with flashes of cherry while on the nose ripe berry fruit like blackcurrants. On the palate the taste is complex and long with excellent structure and balance. Flavours of ripe fruit, leather and spices, with smooth tannins that leave a long lingering aftertaste. This is an excellent Rhone Rouge wine and difficult to better! A steal at the price.

ONE DAY Wine Tour of Southern Rhone including Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Gigondas - Vacqueyras - Côte du Rhône

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Every year thousands of wine lovers, expert and amateur, come to this world renowned medieval village and appellation to discover the one of the best known French vineyards. The appellation, that surrounds the village, only 3200 hectares however the small village has 12 restaurants and a number of the 100 caves and cellars are in walking distance. So you can park your car and discover on foot the Châteauneuf-du-Pape red and white wines. We start our day with a coffee in the village - time to plan the day's activities!

Visit 1 - Domaine DURIEU

	Just 40 metres from our coffee spot we find the Village cave of Domaine Durieu. A vineyard of total 94 hectares with a number of small parcels in several areas including Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Côtes du Rhône Villages - Plan de Dieu, and Côtes du Ventoux. Contact details Domaine Durieu 10,Ave Baron le Roy, CHATEAUNEUF du PAPE, France Tel: 04 90 83 70 86 Fax: 04 90 37 28 14 Email: domaine-durieu@hotmail.com Website: www.domaine-durieu.com
	Reviewed Domaine Durieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2007 13% alc. 18.00€ A blend of 60% Roussanne, 28% Grenache Blanc, 18% Bourloulenc. On the nose citrus and mineral aromas while on the palate pleasant tones of honey, stone fruits such as peaches and apricots. Complex finish with good depth and length. Domaine Durieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Lucile Avril 2005 15% alc. 21.00€ From selected fruit being 90% Grenache Noir, 10% Syrah. Nose of fresh ripe fruit. On the palate ripe cherries with smooth tannins and a long, complex finish. A big meaty wine and perfect with roast meat, game or dark chocolate.

Visit 2 - Domaine Mathieu

	On the edge of the village is the Domaine Mathieu which has a small 24 hectare vineyard of 20 hectares Châteauneuf-du-Pape and 4 hectares Côte du Rhône. They make the traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend of up to 13 approved grape varieties in a traditional winery. They presently produce a range of 2 tradionnel styles (1 white and 1 red), and a reserve range of 2 styles and a numbe rof years from 2004 to 2007 (1 white & 2 red). They generously allowed us to sample the whole range and we have reviewed several but they were all excellent styles and great value. Contact details Domaine Mathieu Route de Courthézon, 84230 CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE, France Tel: 04 90 83 72 09 Fax: 04 90 83 50 55 Website: www.domaine-mathieu.com e-mail: dnemathieu@aol.com
	Reviewed Domaine Mathieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 200713.5% alc. 15.50€ A blend of 45% Grenache Blanc, 45% Clainette, 5% Picpoul, 5% Bourloulene from 20 to 40 year old vines. A pleasant nose of floral and fruit aromas. On the palate fresh figs, melons and honey with mineral. Light refreshing acid, complex structure and a pleasant lingering finish. A very good wine with poultry and cream fish dishes. Domaine Mathieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge2005 14% alc. 15.50€ A Châteauneuf-du-Pape with a majority of Grenache Noir. 18 months in old oak, filtered to produce a bright cherry robe. A pleasant nose with ripe fruit tones on the palate with good tannin and acid structure so that it could be drunk now or cellared for up to 20 years. Domaine Mathieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Marquis Anselme Mathieu 2005 14% alc. 23.00€ Grapes harvested from old vines planted on 1890 & 1892 with a yield of 25 hl/ha - a majority of Grenache Noir with up to 13 other varieties. A nose of old leather, while the palate revelled tones of blackberries, tobacco, and pepper. A very mature with supple tannins and a complex structure - a great Châteauneuf-du-Pape style Domaine Mathieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Vin di Felibre 2004 14% alc. 35.00€ A different Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge being a majority of Mourvedre grapes. Aged in young small oak barrels. A deep dark red colour with a nose of plums, blackcurrants and cherries. On the palate full-bodied with loads of spices, cinnamon, ripe red fruit and smooth tanins. An excellent wine that could be drunk now, or cellared for up to 10 years.

Visit 3 - Distillerie A. Blachere

	Distillerie A. Blachere is the oldest distillery in Provence having been established in 1835 and now located in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They produce a range of liqueurs and distilled products. We selected Distillerie A. Blachere. Contact details Distillerie A. Blachere Route de'Avignon, 84230 CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE, France Tel: 04 90 83 53 81 Fax 04 90 83 53 80 E-mail: info@distillerie-a-blachere.com Reviewed Vieux Marc de Châteauneuf-du-Pape 43% 39.00€ Distilled from Grenache wine and matured in old oak casks for 15 years. A deep golden colour with aromas of old leather and oak while on the palate delightful tones of spices such as cinnamon and cloves with ripe fruit. The taste is smooth with a long lingering finish. Very much like a good Cognac. A quality Brandy at an excellent price.
Lunch stop - Gigondas Village

	We have travelled to the hillside village of Gigondas for lunch. Time to sit under the spreading Plane trees reflecting on the morning, enjoy a delightful Cotes du Rhone Rose, along with Plat du Jour -Plate of Day and to plan the afternoon's activities!

Gigondas Appellation

	The Gigondas appellation status was granted in 1971 to 1,127 hectares of land surrounding the compact attractive hillside village. The appellation allows only red and rose wines and only a blend of a major portion of Grenache, along with lesser amounts of Syrah, Mouredre and Cinsault. The wines have always had a reputation for their warmth reflecting the ideal location and soils.

Visit 4 - Domaine des Tourelles

	Roger Cuillerat, grows the grapes and makes the wine from a 9 ha vineyard round the village. A large portion of the vineyard are old vines, between 40 and 85 years old, and they crop lightly at 28 to 32hl/ha, resulting in wines with concentrated flavours. Contact details Domaine des Tourelles Roger CUILLERAT - owner & winemaker GIGONDAS, France Website: www.domaine-des-tourelles.fr E-mail: domaine-des-tourelles@wanadoo.fr
	Reviewed Domaine des Tourelles Gigondas 200514.5% alc. 10.50€ A Gigondas Appellation blend from 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Mouredre/Cinsault that spent 12 months in old wooden casks before lightly filtering and bottling. In the glass the wine is bright with deep cherry and red flashes. On the nose the blend give complex aromas of spices, liquorice and tobacco with ripe red fruit. On the palate the complex taste continue with smooth tannins and a great structure. An excellent Gigondas example that can be enjoyed now or cellared for up to 5 years. Perfect with red meats, game and cheeses.

Vacqueyras Appellation

	Vacqueyras lies under the jagged Montmirail escarpment in southern Rhone with a pleasant village and 1,690 hectares of broken limestone and gravel soils. The area was granted appellation status in 1990 based on a reputation for producing quality red, rose and white wines.

Visit 5 - Domaine de Montvac

	Domaine de Montvac is a family owned vineyard of 24 hectares with portions in both the Vacqueyras and Gigondas Appellations. Hence the wine tourist can sample wines from both appellations, plus Côte du Rhône. The modern attractive cellar is on D977 approaching the village of Vacqueyras and there is excellent parking. We were made most welcome and were pleased to be able to sample the whole Vacqueyras red range and a wonderful white. This is a top Rhone winery going places -watch this space! Contact details Domaine de Montvac Cécile Dussette - winemaker/owner 84190 VACQUEYRAS, France Tel: 04 90 65 85 51 Fax: 04 90 65 82 38 Website: www.domaine-de-montvac.com E-mail: dusserre@domaine-de-montvac.com
	Reviewed Domaine de Montvac Vacqueyras A.O.C. Blanc 2007 14.5% alc. 12.00€ This exceptional wine is always going to be short supply as it is only made from a 1 ha parcel of 30% Roussanne, 30% Clairette, 20% Viognier, 20% Bourboulene. The grapes are harvested together, vinified and racked into small oak with lees stirring where it is left for 5 to 8 months. The result is a wine with a light golden hue and a nose of vanilla and honeysuckle. On the palate it is delicious with complex array of ripe tropical fruits and wild flowers. Well-balanced with just enough complexity and body to be perfect for fish, cream chicken dishes, and purely as an aperitif where it can shine in all its glory. This is a top French white wine! Domaine de Montvac Vacqueyras A.O.C. Rouge 2005 14% alc. 8.30€ 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 5% Mouredre this blend of ripe grapes, carefully vinified and produced to passion has a deep red colour in the glass with a nose of ripe plums, spices and liquorice. The palate is full of fruit flavours with smooth tannins. This is a very good Rhone red and excellent value. Domaine de Montvac Vacqueyras A.O.C. VINCILA 2005 14% alc. 15.00€ The first of two exceptional wines, the Vincila is a 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah blend from old vines, the best soils and the highest quality ripe fruit - a winning combination especially when the wine is carefully vinified and matured to perfection. A nose of Syrah spices, old leather and liquorice from a deep red wine that dances in the glass. On the palate be prepared from a complex array of flavours and a wonderful balance of smooth tannins and mourish tastes. Drink now, but in 5 years time it will be outstanding. Domaine de Montvac Vacqueyras A.O.C. VARIATION 2005 15% alc. 15.00€ At 92% Grenache, 6% Syrah this wine is a showcase for just how wonderful Grenache can be when it comes ripe fruit from very old low yield vines with excellent vineyard management and minimal interference in the winery. Deep red colours in the glass with a complex nose of old leather, liquorice and tobacco. On the palate complex and long with a delightful lingering after-taste. This is a Rhone red that would compare more than favourably with the best from Burgundy - exceptional!