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04/04/2025
So, I went to France.
Now that I’m back I can’t wait to share some wines and travel stories with you TONIGHT.
Destination: The Rhône
Explore through 4 wines: Côtes-du-Rhône, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph& Gigondas.
The grapes: (North) Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne; (South) Grenache, Roussanne—and many more.
About the Rhône:
The steep slopes along the Rhône river - notably the iconic Hill of Hermitage have been planted to grape vines since long before Christ - despite being some of the most treacherous vineyards to farm. Favorable sun exposure, well-drained, rocky, granite + schist soils and residents with fierce determination and loyalty have kept vignerons at it for generations, to magnificent results. The wines of Hermitage have been praise by Pliny and were called “the first wine in the world without exception” by Thomas Jefferson.
Further south of Hermitage, the climate becomes more Mediterranean and Grenache takes center stage.
Why the Rhône?
In a market where fresh, mineral whites and juicy, smooth ready-to-drink reds reign supreme, these wines can be challenging to sell, but have been some of my and my partner’s personal favorites. As I was first starting to get into wine, I remember being completely floored to discover that a wine (Côte Rotie) could smell and taste like violets and roasted game or that another, made from the same variety planted an hour or so south, could taste like olive tapenade, coriander and allspice (Hermitage, Cornas) — a rich stew in a glass. I’d spent years dreaming of seeing these vineyards and meeting the producers behind some of my favorite bottles.
Was it a good trip? You betcha.
