The Southern Rhône Valley
The Southern Rhône is, perhaps, the most beautiful part of France. Coming off the Autoroute de Soleil at Avignon, the traveller is unprepared for the splendour of the region. Taking a right towards Carpentras, one soon encounters the huge Mont Ventoux, seemingly coming out of nowhere, providing a magnificent backdrop to the region’s vineyards.
Most of the best vines are located in the Vaucluse department, home to many of France’s most beautiful villages. Avignon is the region's capital and has several tourist destinations such as the Palais des Papes and the Pont St Bénezet (you know the song) as well as being home, every July, to the Avignon Festival
Wines can sometimes be popular because a region is a great tourist destination. That is certainly true of the Southern Rhône but the region’s increasing popularity may be summed up in three reasons:
- They offer the best value of any top appellation for red wines in the world.
- Many can be enjoyed young but can also evolve magnificently over time.
- They are extremely food friendly wines.
Wine lovers who resent the prices of top Bordeaux and Burgundy should look to the Rhône Valley for a wide range of food-friendly wines at remarkable value.
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Raymond Usseglio, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015 -
Xavier Vignon, Lirac 2019 -
Raymond Usseglio, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020 'Rousanne Pur' -
Famille Perrin, Vinsobres 2019 'Les Hauts de Julien' -
Chateau Juvenal, Vin de France 2023 'Ephemère' -
Chateau Juvenal, Ventoux 2024 'Les Ribes du Vallat' Rosé -
Chateau Juvenal, Ventoux 2022 'Terre du Petit Homme' -
Chateau Juvenal, Ventoux 2019 'Les Ribes du Vallat' Rouge -
Xavier Vignon, Beaumes-de-Venise 'L'Etoile' (Arcane series) -
Xavier Vignon, Côtes du Rhône Villages 2020 'A La Mer' -
Xavier Vignon, Ventoux 2019 Rouge -
Famille Perrin, Vinsobres 2020 'Les Cornuds' -
Chateau Juvenal, Ventoux 2022 'Perseides' Rouge -
Chateau Juvenal, Ventoux 2024 'Les Ribes du Vallat' Blanc -
Domaine Brusset, Gigondas 2016 'Le Grand Montmirail' -
Domaine Brusset, Cairanne 2019 'L'Esprit de Papet' -
Domaine Brusset, Gigondas 2009 'Les Hauts de Montmirail' -
Chateau Juvenal, Ventoux 2021 'Les Ribes du Vallat' Blanc -
Xavier Vignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Intra' (Pioneer range) -
Xavier Vignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016 'La Papesse' (Arcane series) -
Xavier Vignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'La Réserve XV XVI XVII' (Audacieux range) -
Xavier Vignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012 'Anonyme' (Audacieux range) -
Xavier Vignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 'Anonyme' (Audacieux range) -
Xavier Vignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Almutia' (Pioneer range)