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Quick Summary

Tour:	Selected Domaines of the Southern Rhone
Duration:	3 Nights
Price:	From 950 Euros
Places Visited:	6 Domaines at Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Cairanne, Beaumes de Venise

Selected Domaines of the Southern Rhone (3 nights)

The perfect introduction to the region which Robert Parker describes as "the greatest quality/price ratio of any top red wine region in the world"

Wednesday:

Arrive at

La Madelene

in the late afternoon/early evening; settle in, introduction to weeks programme, drinks on the terrace, dinner chez

La Madelène

- if the weather is decent al fresco on the terrace, or in the old chapel dining room. We will taste two fine examples of Chateauneuf du Pape during the dinner:

Chateau Beaucastel 2000

and

Domaine de la Mordoree's cuvee Reine du Bois 2005.

Thursday:

After a leisurely breakfast on the terrace an introductory briefing on the Rhone valley in our Atelier (workroom) followed by a tutored tasting allows guests to compare and contrast the major grape varieties of the region - Syrah, Grenache, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier. We include a short introduction to tasting technique so all our guests have a common language for the days ahead. You will have an opportunity to taste some of the great northern Syrahs eg Cote Rotie and contrast them with their Granache based southern counterparts eg Chateauneuf du Pape. A buffet lunch is served on our terrace.

In the afternoon we set out to visit two of the best estates aong the Dentelles de Monmirail escarpment. You will taste at Louis Barruol's superb

Chateau de Saint Cosme

at Gigondas, the oldest estate of the appellation with a stellar reputation, as well as

Domaine Alary

the leading producer of Vin du Gard wines at Cairanne an appellation deservedly due for elevation to Cru status in 2008. Returning to

La Madelène

we will take our aperitif on the terrace before setting out for a four- course meal at one of our favourite restaurants such as

Le Laurier at Faucon

.

Friday:

Your third day takes you straight to the lion of the southern Rhone:

Chateauneuf du Pape.

Your 9.30 am post-breakfast session in the Atelier will walk you through the background to this prestigious appellation and allow an opportunity to taste a selection of my favourites, both reds and whites.

We set out for the village of

Chateauneuf du Pape

at 10:45 am where we will visit and taste at three of the great names. Firstly

Domaine Nalys

famous for its experimental approach and its white wines. Lunch today is at the restaurant within the spectacular

Chateau des Fines Roches

wine estate after which we move on to visit/taste at it's neighbour

Chateau La Nerthe

with it's stunning 18th century chateau and ancient cellars. On our way home we stop at the tasting rooms of

Domaine Solitude

, a historic producer whose lineage is traceable to servants of the Avignon popes.

We return to

La Madelène

in time for you to recharge, perhaps play petanque on our court and get ready for your aperitif on the terrace before we serve a four- course dinner. We start and close this dinner with a comparitive tasting of some of the Rhone's finest white wines -

Condrieu, Hermitage, Beaumes de Venise Muscat and Vin doux Natural from Rasteau.

The dinner will also feature a comparitive tasting of the best reds from Gigondas including

Cayron, Santa Duc, Redortier.

Saturday:

After breakfast we have a wrap-up session answering any remaining questions you have and we usually conduct a light hearted blind tasting competition! We also like to get your feedback on the week. We will have one final Domaine visit - to

Domaines de Bernadines

, which produces a sublime Beaumes de Venise dessert wine as well as very special dry Muscats and fine Rosé. The

Selected Domaines

tour concludes around 12:00pm on Saturday when I will return you to

La Madelène

.

Price per person:

950

euros, room sharers:

1050

euros singles

Special partner rate:

700

euros