ALONG THE RHÔNE VALLEY

The Rhône Valley when it comes to quality, diversity and value, is one of the great wine-producing regions of France.

This is your chance to take part in a series of educational masterclasses with Rhône wine experts on exciting appellations from the Rhône Valley from the northern and southern Rhône Valley, and a chance to win a fantastic trip to the region in June 2023.

The masterclasses will be shining a light on the different terroirs, and styles of wines found in the region, from the Costières de Nîmes wines with a unique character and flavour thanks to its proximity to the Mediterranean sea, to some southern and northern crus such as Saint-Joseph, or Lirac and Rasteau wines, two different expressions of Grenache. The programme will focus as well on Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages, showing a beautiful range of white, rose and red selected by wine critic and Rhône expert, Matt Walls, that will show some wines from producers where sustainability is very much at the forefront.

Five lucky masterclasses participants will go to the Rhône Valley from June 4 to June 7 2023 to visit the following appellations: Côtes du Rhône; Costières de Nimes; Lirac; Rasteau; and Saint-Joseph.

To have a chance to be selected for the trip, London attendees will be required to attend the full programme (except the Edinburgh masterclass).

In London, if the number of participants eligible for the trip is higher than five, the five winners will be selected through a quiz question during the last masterclass.

The Edinburgh masterclass winner will be selected at the end of the masterclass after a quiz on Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages.

Please see below for the full masterclass programme.

Masterclass 1

Côtes du Rhône Villages ‘Current trends, new grape, next generation’

This masterclass will focus on the exciting new generation of producers emerging from the Rhône Valley.  Sustainability is very much at the forefront of producing these beautiful wines with many interesting and new practices being put into place.

Wednesday March 22: Côtes du Rhône – Côtes du Rhône Villages

Time: 2:30pm

Presented by Matt Walls

Venue: Riddles Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH1 2PG, UK.

Masterclass 2

Lirac & Rasteau:  ‘Two contrasting styles of Southern Rhône Crus’

Join Matt Walls, author of Wines of the Rhône, for a deep dive into two key Southern Rhône Crus: Lirac and Rasteau.
Explore two contrasting styles of red Grenache, each with their own drinking moments and uses at the table.
Come and taste four wines from Lirac and four from Rasteau to see how their unique terroirs naturally produce two different expressions of this most versatile of grapes.

Monday March 27: Lirac & Rasteau

Time: 2pm

Presented by Matt Walls

Venue: WSET 39-45 Bermondsey Street London SE1 3XF

Masterclass 3

Saint-Joseph: Northern and Southern styles of St Joseph.

Discover a great selection of the Saint-Joseph northern and southern crus, and its beautiful range of wines made of Syrah.

Monday April 17: Saint -Joseph

Time: 2pm

Presented by Matt Walls

Venue: Glaziers Hall – London

Masterclass 4

Costières de Nîmes – The Maritime Influenced Appellation 

Although part of the Rhône Valley, the wines of Costières de Nîmes have a unique character and flavour thanks to its proximity to the Mediterranean sea. The outstanding red, white and rosé wines from the region suit a range of budgets, tastes and cuisines, and its unique terroir makes Costières de Nîmes a one-of-a-kind appellation in the Rhône Valley.

May 15: Costières de Nîmes

Time: 4.30pm

Presented by Jamie Goode

Venue: London Wine Fair

Please, register for all the masterclass(es) you wish to attend via this link: 

Related posts:

Southern Rhône Valley discoveries in the 2014 and 2015 vintages Getting to know Rhône’s contrasting Lirac and Rasteau What Côtes du Rhône Guilty Pleasures are you getting up to? Discovering elegance in the wines of Costières de Nîmes