Hi all,

I am planning a week-long tour of the Rhone wine region with a few friends for the end of May 2011. I'm looking for resources on wineries we can visit and do tastings. We will probably prefer to be self-guided for economy, so information with the locations of wineries, tasting rooms, etc. would be very useful. We haven't booked accommodations yet, so we are open to going to different regions. We all appreciate northern and southern Rhone wines and would like to visit both parts if possible.

We all have extensive experience with wine tasting in California's various regions, but never in France or the Rhone in particular. Any tips on finding places to taste, advice on the differing customs/expectations in tasting in the Rhone region, or other advice/ideas would be very appreciated!

Wine-tasting in France is different from that in the U.S.--we live near the Napa Valley and are accustomed to just dropping in at a vineyard's tasting room. In France, many properties want advance reservations and don't offer tours; you can get around that by visiting those that advertise tastings (dégustation). For example, the wine village of Gigondas has an excellent tasting room on the village square, with samples from a number of local wineries.

I'd suggest for planning that you first get a Michelin map of Provence (I have #245). Look for the city of Carpentras (northeast of Avignon), then go up to Beaumes-de-Venise. That village produces a lovely sweet wine, drunk both before and after meals, and is the gateway to an arc that includes Vacqueras, Gigondas, Sablet, and Séguret. The vineyards of Rasteau, a deep red, are just off to the west on the other side of the river.

At the top of the arc you will be near the interesting town of Vaison-la-Romaine, with Roman ruins and a good museum. There's also a very interesting old church.

Across the Rhône and north from Avignon is the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which produces excellent reds and whites. We stopped at a large château with a tasting rooom, but I can't remember the name. However, the best fun lies in visiting the small properties that advertise tastings--just don't attempt to visit during the long Provençal lunch hour!
Look for the "dégustation" signs along the roads and pull in. You're not obliged to buy any wine, but the proprietors will be very pleased if you do.

We stopped at a quite small winery and were taken to an outbuilding where the wines being aged were stored. The property's owner crawled up onto the big casks with a pipette and drew samples of the wine for us to try. When we bought a bottle he carefully wrapped it in purple tissue paper and bowed us out. Definitely not the Napa Valley!

Thanks! This is great info to start with!

Underhill has given you some great advice and I would echo most of it. We have visited the area on several occasions and I have visited dozens of wineries and cooperative tasting rooms. I must admit that I am much more comfortable now than my first encounters as the ambiance, expectations and facilities are unique to the area. Mostly, the vintners are pleased to respond to your interest but not always available--so I don't take offense and move on.

I've said it before on this forum and will repeat again, Chateauneuf du Pape is an area with a well deserved reputation but difficult to attack for the first timer. I suggest a visit to Cave du Verger nestled into the top of the hill for an excellent presentation of a variety of producers and the culture of the wine region. www.caveduverger.com

The Beaucastel winery is one of the pre-eminent producers of Chateauneuf du Pape which provides a tour of their estate. An appointment is required, it is done in english and I have never experienced such a passionate description of the winemakers mission.

My favorite (and less expensive) area is the Gigondas, Cairanne, Rasteau, Roaix and Vacqueyras "loop". Many cooperatives are open to the public in each of the villages and the individual producers are available as well. Here is some info that may be helpful http://www.marseille-provence.info/l...ineroute-9.htm

BTW--We are returning to the area this summer--a couple of ites in the vineyards. You should consider Vaison-la-Romaine as a base--great town, market, history both roman and medieval, and restaurants. And then there is the everpresent wine. Enjoy! Paul

Thanks for these suggestions. Anyone else care to chime in with experiences or advice?

Hi all,

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I am leaving in a week!

My group is staying in Valaurie, which is very close to Montelimar. I'm currently looking for suggestions on specific wineries to visit in both north and south. If you have any, please share! Whether or not to make reservations is useful to know, as well.

Thanks!