FBWorld.com
 

 

Google
WWW
FBworld.com



TRAVEL
Wines of the Rhone ValleyToday's Rhone Valley is back. After a disappointing 1991,'92, and '93, France reveled in its good fortune, having three outstanding vintages in a row - 1994, '95, '96. Thinking they were on a roll, they waited exuberantly for the 1997 harvest, only to be disappointed. Refusing to take anything for granted, the French wine producers steeled themselves as they waited for the results of the '98 harvest, and celebrated joyously in its success. With the 1999 harvest in, and just before the rains at that, French wine producers are in good moods, and are looking to increase their exports to the United States. With that in mind, Judie Vacchina, chef, product developer, and independent writer accompanied me to the South of France for wine tasting in the Northern and Southern regions of the Rhone Valley. In addition to learning about the complexities of the Northern Rhone vs. the Southern Rhone, we met growers and producers we cannot help but consider brand new life long friends, and we look forward to returning.
Part 1 of 5

By Ellen Walsh and Judie Vacchina

The North

We were greeted at the Paris airport by our guide Guilaine Dominici, a young, beautiful French woman with a tremendous passion for wine. Her thorough knowledge of the area quickly became apparent. Representing the organization Inter Rhone, she laid out her plan for a week of visiting over 30 Rhone Valley wineries and at least 10 restaurants. Her English was perfect, and our French was halting, and for a moment, when she thought it was possible that we might possibly speak French, she launched into descriptions of what was to come in her more perfect language. It is here that it would be most appropriate to dispel the myth that the French are not perfect hosts. Throughout our trip, we were greeted warmly, and spoken to first in English in order to determine how quickly they could speak in French to us, and then in French, if we could keep going. Our arrival was timed for just after the harvest, which contributed in part for our warm welcome. The concensus was just about unanimous that the 1999 harvest is going to be extremely high quality. Follow up trips would be most welcome, and addresses and phone numbers are provided for anyone who wishes to follow up.


Syrah and Viogner (red and white) are the grapes that define the Northern Rhone region, although Marsanne and Roussanne grapes are used for white wines also. Wine has been produced in this little corner of France for some 2000 years. Vines that are 50, 70, and even 100 years old are painstakingly cultivated by hand on slopes too steep for machinery. Winemakers here know how to work the variety of soils and climate in order to produce the very best of wines, and from the onset, the name has been "Cotes du Rhone". The viticulture operations are so labor intensive in the Northern Rhone, that vineyards were once under the threat of total abandonment. The steep slopes, however, represent the finest wines that the region has to offer, and 4 very good vintages, (with 1999 looking very good) in the past decade have brought renewed attention to this small region and its very distinctive wines.

The Northern Rhone comprises 8 small appellations, which count in total less than 5,500 acres in vines, and in all, produce about 950,000 cases of wine per year, less than does the single appellation of Chateauneuf - du - Pape in the Southern Rhone. The vineyards extend along both banks of the Rhone from Vienne south to Valence. Although Reds make up over 90% of the total production in the North, the Whites have been very exciting to taste. In fact, the Viognier grape produces some of the best Whites in the world. This grape was almost lost to the world, but was rescued from extinction after the war some 50 years ago by a man named Mr. Viognier. The Viognier grape - greatest white wine appellation in the Valley of Rhone - is one of the prizes of the Northern Rhone Valley.

In 1937, AOC ( Appelation d'Origine Controlee) was granted to Cotes du Rhone. There are many considerations that go into AOC: selection of soil types, grape varieties, techniques, and tradition. In France, a national body known as INAO, establishes and monitors these rules, guaranteeing that products bearing the AOC seal meet the standards governing maximum yield. There is no resistance from French vintners to live up to or surpass these standards, as the goal is to produce the best wine possible.

Once considered expensive, the average price of French wine is coming down to $10 - 20 a bottle, and is considered within the reach of today's wine consumer. It is experiencing renewed interest on the retail shelves as well as the restaurant list in all levels of restaurateurs.

Wines of the Rhone Valley

PART 1

The North

PART 2
Night One
Domaine de Bonserine

PART 3
Hotellerie Beau Rivage
Maison Guigal

PART 4
Mason Chapoutier
Le Chaudron
Delas Freres

PART 5
Cave De Tain l' Hermitage
Jaboule
Gace du Lautarett

Maps of Rhone Valley, France

PAGE 1
PREV

Events |  Food & Beverage International |  NutraFoodies |  California the Magazine
Home |  Food |  Wine |  Chefs |  Restaurants |  Advertisers |  Recipes
Travel |  Forager |  Who's News |  Directories |  Newsletter |  About Us |  Media Kit

©2000- 2007 Food&Beverage International
All rights reserved. | Contact Us | 
Feedback