Trade Only Class: French Wine Basics

Discovering the main grape varieties and wine styles of the Rhône Valley in this introductory class on French wine basics. We will be discussing the many practices found in the region; old and young vines, varying soil types, climates and vineyard sites, winemaking influences and viticultural methods from lutte raisonée to organic and biodynamic.

We have selected eight small production wines as the backdrop for learning about this region as four pairs of white and red wines. We have one pair each from the left and right banks of the Northern Rhône, and one pair each of Southern Rhône examples of Côtes-du-Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Producers tasted include Vigneron’s d’ Estézargues, Domaine Belle, Vieux Télégraphe, François Villard, Famille de Boel France and Château Sixtine.