SOUTHERN RHÔNE 2018

‘Higher-altitude estates in appellations such as Gigondas were frequently the most successful, and Châteauneufdu-Pape also did well’

For many producers in the Rhône valley’s south, the 2018 vintage was a disaster due to a devastating attack of mildew that hit the region in spring. But those who escaped the worst went on to enjoy a very hot, dry summer, resulting in juicy, generous reds and whites, and some that are surprisingly good.

One of the most important aspects of terroir in the southern Rhône is the mistral – the penetrating north wind that follows the rain, drying wet bunches and helping to keep diseases at bay. But after successive rains throughout a very warm May, the mistral never came. Mildew spread like wildfire, triggering the worst outbreak of downy mildew winemakers