By Ellen Walsh and Judie Vacchina

The Southern Rhône wines have never had more attention on them as they have right now. With the 98 vintage turning out to be so exceptional, price and appelation status have combined to provide a value not to be seen before in this decade. Côtes du Rhône wines have never tasted better, coming in at an average of RoadV_tif43$8 - $15 a bottle. In fact, so distinguished were the grapes from the 98 harvest, that many vintners such as Marcel and Philippe Guigal, and Philippe Jaboulet Aine, cornered as much of of the southern wine grape market that they could. They were not the only ones. From Côtes du Rhône all the way up to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the 98 harvest will rank in the 90's in most wine tastings. The 98's began appearing on shelves this past fall, and more will be appearing from the areas of Chateauneuf and Gigondas this year.

In speaking with the vintners themselves, all were in agreement that not only was the 98 harvest exceptional, but that the 99 harvest will be, as well. In visiting these wineries, we saw some of the most beautiful countryside in the world, including castles dating back to the 13th century. Wineries come in a variety of shape and size, fame and status. Ranging from the opulent and overtly successful, to the new, and struggling winery, methods and attitudes differed. There was a similarity, however, in the passion and commitment to make great wine, and honor the traditional methods of their forefathers in wine making. Great wines passed over large and small wineries alike, paying tribute to the some of the best grapes of the decade.