10 exciting southern Rhône estates

OCCASIONALLY WHEN I taste a wine, I get an overwhelming urge to run into the street, plant a glass in the hand of the nearest person and exclaim: ‘You have to taste this!’ In all likelihood that would get me arrested, so thankfully I can write about them here instead. To follow is a list of 10 southern Rhône estates that have had this effect on me over the past year. Wines that have planted a flag in my mental wine map that I can’t help returning to. Wines that I want to talk about and share with friends.

I’ve been living near Avignon for the past 12 months, crisscrossing the southern Rhône to research a book on the wines of the region, so restricting myself to just 10 estates wasn’t easy. With 68,000ha of vines and more than 1,500 private domaines, it’s a region that’s constantly changing – and there’s a surprise waiting around every corner.

All these wines possess something that sets them apart. Some represent an innovative style or are made in an original way. Others are from brand-new estates or brilliant new talents. Certain wines reveal the potential of an obscure terroir or an under-the-radar producer. But, first and foremost, they are all deliciously drinkable.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape tends to dominate the conversation when it comes to the southern Rhône, so I’ve ventured further afield to shine a light on alternative appellations. They tend to enjoy more creative freedom and offer value for money – most of these wines are under £25 a bottle.

So for a taste of what’s exciting in the southern Rhône right now, get your hands on some of these.

Domaine Gourt de Mautens IGP Vaucluse

I’ve met few winemakers as