By Rob Pickard
As has been well documented, 2009 was a rather good vintage across much of France, and the Rhone Valley was no exception. So when our 2009 En Primeur tasting came to The Showroom in London’s NW8, the prospect of a room full of the Rhone’s finest, seemed the perfect solution to cheer up a dreary, cold November evening.
The wines were showing very …
By Camilla Bowler
After several days of driving (mainly in circles it seemed) in Chateauneuf du Pape during the last few days it was something of a relief when we headed north-west on the final day, towards Gigondas. The countryside changes here – there are more trees, to start with – it is more open and somehow more relaxed. Unprepossessing perhaps, but this is where some of …
By Camilla Bowler
Day 3 started at one of the most prestigious estates in Chateauneuf du Pape – Clos des Papes. It is always a pleasure to visit here. Vincent Avril showed us samples of the red from four different foudres, and also finally an indicative blend that he has made for the first time this year in a fifth foudre. The quality here was …
By Camilla Bowler
The weather forecast for the week was for one sunny day followed by three days of rain. The predicted 29 degrees did not quite happen on Monday but today the rain came in in torrents. After a dry August, the vines needed some rain we were told – but this was perhaps too much of a good thing and at our first stop (chez …
By Camilla Bowler
2009 was a rather good vintage in a certain south west corner of France. Rumour has it that it has been pretty good in other French wine-growing regions too! We were therefore more than usually excited this year to be off to the Rhone to taste the 2009s.
First stop was Cote Rotie. At Domaine Jamet, Jean-Paul was on good form, as he …
