When I have the opportunity to meet winemakers from the Languedoc, I grab it because there is no wine region in France that is as dynamic and more misunderstood as the Languedoc.  The tasting I attended at the SF Yacht Club recently was hosted by Gerard Bertrand, a tall, tan and rugged-looking man that one would think  would better represent Nice or St. Tropez instead of the Languedoc, but he is indeed a son of Corbieres and Georges, who was one of the first generation of winemakers in the 20th …

What could make a better first impression of Australian wines than to visit Jasper Hill in Heathcote?  After landing in Melbourne, we hit the ground running, driving due north for a couple of hours on the wrong side of the road until we reached Jasper Hill.
I could tell upon meeting Ron Laughton that his wines would be unique.  A tall, lanky guy, eternally curious, eternally youthful, it’s difficult to absorb the fact that he’s been farming for over 35 years at Heathcote.  He’s someone who fits as naturally at his …

A nice base for us visiting the Southern Rhone was the Hotel Bellerive in Rasteau.  It is “homey”, very quiet, with beautiful views of vineyards and the Dentelles de Montmirail.  It is within half an hour to Vinsobres, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Beaumes-de-Venise and the Cotes du Rhone Villages of Seguret, Sabelet and Cairanne.  Like most hotels in rural wine regions, don’t expect wifi or even a reliable wake-up call, but they do have the most hospitable cat I have ever come across, and good breakfasts. 
Favorite Restaurants:
Les Florets in Gigondas.  One of the best …

The Northern and Southern Rhone share the moderating effects of the Rhone River, the Mistral and share a few grapes varieties.  But in terms of climate, soils, terrain and wine styles, they are quite different.  The Northern Rhone has a continental climate, slightly cooler, less sunny and slightly wetter than the South which is more Mediterranean.  The Mistral – the cool wind from the North – has less impact in Cote-Rotie, the narrowest part of the Rhone, and only begins to pick up speed in Hermitage where the Valley begins to widen.  The …

If you are not arriving from the North, a good way to start a visit of the Rhone Valley is starting from the South, in Avignon.  It is a quick 3 hour 20 minute train on the TGV from Charles de Gaulle and there are many things to do in this major city, the least of which is visiting the Palace of the Popes.
InterRhone, the Rhone Wine Council, is based in Avignon, so prior to heading out to wine regions, you may want to stop here first.  There are many resources such as maps …

The Rhone Valley officially begins in Vienne which is just about  25 miles south of Lyon on the A7.  The Rhone Valley is divided between the Northern Rhone and Southern Rhone which are quite different in climate and soils, but they have a few important things in common.  They both share the moderating effects of the Rhone River, varying degrees of the cool wind from the North, the Mistral, and certain grape varieties used to different extent such as Syrah and the whites Viognier, Marsanne and Rousanne.
Within the Rhone Valley, there are the “Cotes du …

The Northern Rhone produces predominantly dry red wines and the sole red grape is Syrah.  Cote Rotie is allowed to blend in up to 20% of the aromatic white Viognier grape whereas in Cornas to the South, the wines must be 100% Syrah.  The allowance for up to 20% Viognier in Cote Rotie is not solely for floral character, but to add body and alcohol to Syrah grown in the northernmost part of the Northern Rhone where Syrah does not always ripen fully.  At Guigal, the famous Cote Brune vineyard is co-planted with …