Walls' hidden gems: Domaine Richaud, Cairanne
Drama, energy and authenticity abound...
The Rhône Valley runs south from Lyon to the Rhône Delta, a length of approximately 150 miles.
It is divided stylistically and geographically into northern and southern parts, the former much smaller and more focussed in design, while the latter is much larger and accommodates a wider range of grape varieties.
In the north, Syrah dominates in red wine, while Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne are grown for white wines.
In the south, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is famous for allowing 22 varieties, ranging from Grenache and Syrah to Picpoul, Picardan and Terret Noir.
There’s a lot of variation, but in other southern appellations a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre might be considered the most typical – even giving birth to the Australian ‘GSM’ style.
Drama, energy and authenticity abound...
Everything you need to know about the complexities of Hermitage...
One of those memorable names that leaps out when you’re poring over wine maps...
Matt Walls meets sixth-generation winemaker Emmanuelle Verset and tastes six of her wines...
Matt Walls rounds up the value Rhône picks from his 2020 report...
Discover the small, previously dominant areas of Brézème and Seyssuel...
The rise of St-Joseph's Domaine Gonon...
Choose carefully when buying Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020 wines...
2020 is a great year to get to know Lirac and Tavel wines...
Careful research into the best estates will be rewarded ...
Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise 2020 are good for early drinking...
The three LaLas tasted from 2017, 2016 and 2012...
Sometimes atypicity, combined with charisma and personality, is what makes a wine stand out..
Matt Walls discovers great value and early-drinking capacity for the 2020s...
Roussanne stands out in 2020...
Impressive balance, precision and structure across both red and white Hermitage in 2020...
2020 marks a return to a more focused, classic style...
Drink these fairly young and save the 2019s for long-term ageing...
Despite a hot year, wines are fresh and accessible when young with whites particularly exceptional.
Fresh but slightly less ageworthy wines. Look out for both reds and whites...
Expert verdict plus the top-scoring bottles...
Twenty years is a long time to wait, so is it worth it?
Sign up to Decanter’s Rhône Valley Wine Tour with Matt Walls.
Matt Walls questions whether we could be witnessing the birth of a great estate...
20 top recommendations
Matt Walls selects 10 estates to know in Cornas which showcase ageworthy, powerful Syrah.
Exclusive wine travel trips with Decanter
If you love Châteauneuf-du-Pape's style but not the cost, read on as Decanter's Tasting team recommend 12 muscular alternatives worth trying...
Rhône wines under £20, under £40 and over £40...
Looking at the two different soil types and how they influence wine style, longevity and quality...