Matt's There's No Place like the Southern Rhône

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of southeastern France, the Rhône Valley is a revered wine region renowned for its diversity of climate and soils and resulting complexity in the wines. From the rugged granite-dominant terrains of Côte-Rôtie in the Northern Rhône to the sun-drenched stony vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Southern, each sip tells a story of centuries-old winemaking tradition and terroir-driven craftsmanship.

For our first session, we focus on the Southern Rhône - stretching south from Montélimar almost as far as the Mediterranean coast, exploring its signature grape varieties (including Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre for ripe and round red wines), its plethora of appellations (especially the majestic Châteauneuf-du-Pape) and the unparalleled charm to be found in a region that values grape blending rather than single varietals. Matt will also talk about the rich history and cultural development of the region.

Wines on tasting (so far) 8 in total:

Domaine les Hautes Cances Cairanne Blanc 2020
Château des Roques Vacqueyras Blanc 2020
Domaine des Carabiniers Tavel Rosé Lunar Apogé 2023
Domaine des Carabiniers Côtes du Rhône Lunar Apogé 2021
Château de Montfaucon Lirac 'Baron Louis' 2015
Domaine du Grand Tinel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2018

Remaining wines TBC