2024 Decanter Rhône Readers Trip – bookings now open
This year's Decanter Rhône Readers Trip is now open for bookings!
This is the third year in a row that we've put together a Rhône Tour for Decanter readers, and I've added a…
2022 Rhône Report – now available!
The result of three weeks in the Rhône and tasting over 1,200 wines, my full report on the 2022 vintage is now available on decanter.com.
It contains a general introduction to the…
Decanter readers trip to the Rhône – we’re doing it again in 2023!
Last year, Decanter asked me to imagine the perfect trip to the Rhône Valley, including the very best winemakers, the finest restaurants, and a smattering of other fun visits and…
Interview with Jean-Louis Grippat, former winemaker in Saint-Joseph and Hermitage
Interview with Jean-Louis Grippat at his home in Tournon, 20th March 2020.
Edited for clarity and brevity.
Can you tell me a bit about the history of your estate?
I took over from my parents. My father died when I…
Interview with Philippe Cambie, consultant winemaker
Philippe Cambie, photo from his Facebook page
Philippe Cambie, who sadly died on 28th December 2021, spent his life working in wine and was the best-known winemaking consultant in the Rhône, having worked at ICV Groupe since 1998. He…
Interview with Elodie Balme, Domaine Elodie Balme, Rasteau
Interview with Elodie Balme via Zoom 5th June 2020.
Edited for clarity and brevity.
How did you find yourself working in wine?
I was born into it; my parents took their grapes to the cave co-operative. I always…
Interview with Denis Alary, Domaine Alary, Cairanne
Interview with Denis Alary at Domaine Alary, Cairanne 10th June 2019.
Edited for clarity and brevity.
Tell me how you went about promoting Cairanne from named…
Interview with Pierre Clape, Domaine Clape, Cornas
Interview with Pierre Clape, 9th March 2020 at Domaine Clape.
Edited for clarity and brevity.
The history of Cornas is less well known than that of Côte-Rôtie or Hermitage, why is that?
I think because it’s less…
Interview with Michèle Aubéry-Laurent and Maxime-François Laurent, Domaine Gramenon
Interview with Michèle Aubéry-Laurent and Maxime-François Laurent at Domaine Gramenon, 7th February 2020 at Domaine Gramenon.
Edited for clarity and brevity.
How…
Interview with Louis Barruol, Château de Saint Cosme, Gigondas
Selected excerpts from an interview with Louis Barruol of Château de Saint-Cosme 2nd September 2019
How has the 2019 vintage been?
We’re in a hot year,…