Rhône Valley
The Rhône is divided into two unequal parts, north and south. It starts in central France, just south of Lyon, stretching almost to the Mediterranean Sea. Grapes varieties like Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Carignan and Counoise are made into red blends and Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier and Clairette for white blends. The north tends to produce single varietal wines from Syrah, some adding Viognier. In the south, wines are generally blended.
Alain Gallety is a leader of the new AOC Cotes du Vivarais, started in 1999. The 15 hectare winery is between Montelimar and Avignon. The terroir is based on clay and limestone only. Alain and his son David-Alexandre carefully select grape varieties in order to obtain unique marriages, with fine and concentrated aromas. Their development reflects the terroir and its riches, with the greatest respect for the environment.
Domaine Chaume Arnaud is owned and run by Valerie and Philippe with 33 hectares in Vinsobres (north east of ChateauNeuf du Pape) and six in the Côtes de Rhone Village, Massif d’un Choux and Saint Maurice. Yields are kept low, all soil treatments are organic and harvesting is done solely by hand. This domaine has been certified as biodynamic since 2009. Most of the vines average 30 years old going up to 65 years for the Carignan in the Vinsobres Cuvee.
The winery is owned and run by Eugenie Avias, a 22 year old young winemaker and dynamic viticulturist. The winery has a total of 7 hectares - Chateau Neuf du Pape (3 hectares), Cotes du Rhone (2 hectares) & Vin de France (2 hectares). The vineyard is located north of Avignon south East of CNDP village near Chateau La Nerth. The soil is made up of pebbles, sand and alluvium. The total productions is around 7000 bottles and all hand picked with an average age of 65 year old vines.