Walls: Chasing freshness in Ventoux
With over 30 wines tasted...
The Rhône Valley runs south from Lyon to the Rhône Delta, a length of approximately 150 miles.
It is divided stylistically and geographically into northern and southern parts, the former much smaller and more focussed in design, while the latter is much larger and accommodates a wider range of grape varieties.
In the north, Syrah dominates in red wine, while Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne are grown for white wines.
In the south, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is famous for allowing 22 varieties, ranging from Grenache and Syrah to Picpoul, Picardan and Terret Noir.
There’s a lot of variation, but in other southern appellations a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre might be considered the most typical – even giving birth to the Australian ‘GSM’ style.
With over 30 wines tasted...
What do they tell us about the 2023 vintage...
Tasting some of the Rhône's longest-lived wines across six decades...
Exceptional wines from Léa Bonnefond...
Including 22 reds and whites to try...
Matt Walls on how important the drink date is...
Matt Walls tastes 12 vintages of M Chapoutier's Monier de la Sizeranne...
Five tip-offs you need to know about...
Our Rhône correspondent's top picks of 2023...
Matt Walls selects four whites and 16 reds that offer some of the best value you’ll find...
From legendary film director's Mas des Infermières in southern France...
14 vintages of Chapoutier's majestic white Hermitage...
A new chapter for Hermitage La Chapelle...
It could take a while for the Côte-Rôties to come round...
An excellent vintage for reds and whites...
Know your producers...
More majestic than elegant this year...
While reds can be varied, whites are a solid choice...
A stark contrast to 2021, and all the better for it...
Don't overlook Rasteau this year...
Find good value wines in these two appellations...
Overall freshness and balance to be found...
The best-performing appellation in 2022...
A vintage for reds...
It's worth doing your research before buying from this surprising vintage...
A week in the life of a Rhône correspondent during en primeur...
The tale of a northern Rhône master...
A week in the life of a Rhône correspondent during en primeur...
Châteauneuf on a budget... if you know where to look...