wine-info
France: The Rhône
Northern Rhône
The narrow valley of the Rhône south of Lyon is the spiritual home of Syrah. Here the vineyards crawl up the steep slopes, largely on the west side of the river. As Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage and Cornas become steadily more expensive, we continue to champion the cause of St. Joseph, which shares similarly sparse soils derived from decayed granite.
Southern Rhône
The valley of the Rhône broadens out east and west of Orange, offering a huge hot, dry, windswept - the infamous Mistral - area perfect for the vine. The flat plain produces largely Côtes du Rhône, whilst the better villages - e.g. Cairanne or Sablet - or appellations - Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Beaumes-de-Venise - lie all, or in part, on the hills.
Southern Rhône reds are based on at least two-thirds Grenache, blended with any combination of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut, Carignan and others. Whites are fast improving, with modern, fresh styles based on Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Clairette.
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Our Favourite Selection
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Product Code: BAJ109
Château Barrejat, Madiran, Tradition, 2009
“From 60% Tannat, with 20% Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, lightly oaked, this is an honest, mildly rustic wine, a perfect foil for sausages or...”
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Product Code: FUR107
Fourrier, Gevrey-Chambertin, Vieille Vigne, 2007
“Scents of crushed red fruit. As ever with M. Fourrier’s wines, this is already open and approachable, with a very ripe core of mature red fruit...”
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Product Code: LFE911
Santa Luz, Sauvignon Blanc, Bin 955, Valle Central, 2011
“Chile is the best place in the world for good value Sauvignon Blanc: though one still has to hunt hard to seek true varietal character at a fair...”
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Product Code: MAT1NV
Serge Mathieu, Champagne Tradition, Brut, NV
““**** Seductive aromas of honeydew melon, pineapple, cream and apple. Classic Pinot-dominant wine of great richness - a real hedonist’s...”
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Product Code: PIG610
Domaine de la Pigeade,Ventoux Classique, 2010
“We have listed Thierry’s red Ventoux Classique (from Grenache, Carignan and Syrah), before but he has moved it onto a different level with the...”
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Product Code: MAD609
Mader, Gewurztraminer, Grand Cru Rosacker, 2009
“The Rosacker, east facing, with very pebbly soil over limestone, is one of the top vineyards in the whole of Alsace. Mid lemon. Delicate floral and...”
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Product Code: FON109
Domaine Fontanel, Côtes du Roussillon, 2009
“Aromas of black cherries with dark chocolate touches. Lively, plum and black cherry favours,. Good ripe tannins. Just slightly (and attractively)...”
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Product Code: TOK606
Royal Tokaji, Gold Label 6 Puttonyos, 2006
“Dramatically exciting Tokay from Furmint, Hárslevelü and Yellow Muscat, given 2½ years in old barrels before bottling, and with a stunning 203g/l....”
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Product Code: AMB307
Domaine des Amadieu, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Cairanne, Vieilles Vignes, 2007
“Retains a good deep colour. Attractive Kirsch aromas. Concentrated, old-viney fruit, redolent of red berries and mulberries, lightly spiced. This is...”
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Product Code: TDB109
Château Tour de Bellegarde, Bordeaux, 2009
“Crafted by the Janaud family at Villegouge near Fronsac, this 100% Merlot cuvée is all aged in barrel; and offers another example of how the superb...”
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Product Code: SOL610
Soldier’s Block, Shiraz, McLaren Vale, 2010
“Sourced from vines planted on land made available to soldiers returning to Australia after World War I. Sun-baked scents over berried fruit....”
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Product Code: BAD111
Badenhorst, Secateurs White, Chenin Blanc, Swartland, 2011
“In The Telegraph Saturday 17th December 2011: “Made from old-vine chenin blanc edged with grapefruit freshness and, bottled under screw cap, with a...”
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