Buying Rhône Wines

Value Hierarchy

Under €15: Côtes du Rhône, Ventoux, Costières de Nîmes €15-30: Côtes du Rhône Villages, Crozes-Hermitage, Vacqueyras €30-50: Saint-Joseph, Gigondas, good Châteauneuf €50-100: Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, top Châteauneuf €100+: Single-vineyard bottlings, old vintages

Vintage Notes

- Great years: 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 - Northern Rhône more vintage-variable - Southern Rhône increasingly consistent - Drink Northern whites young, Southern can age

Shopping Tips

- Look for négociant bottlings from top producers - Explore satellites of famous appellations - Don't ignore rosés, especially from Tavel - White Rhônes offer amazing value