After enjoying a splendid Thanksgiving dinner with neighbors in southern France in November, I drove to the Northern Rhone Valley to sample wines and food.
The Rhone Valley has two distinct wine regions (north and south) with a non wine producing stretch in between. Whereas Grenache and Syrah are the dominant red grapes in the south, Syrah rules for reds in the north. In the north, I visited both the Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage appellations (Syrah reds, blended with up to 15% of white grapes Marsanne and Roussanne) and also the Côte-Rôtie appellation (Syrah with up to 20% from the white grape Viognier).
Here is my Forbes piece titled Spend A Weekend In The Northern Rhone Valley Wine Country Of France.
Below are some meals enjoyed in both the cities of Tain-l’Hermitage and Ampuis.
Tain-l’Hermitage. Vineum Restaurant. Owned by the reputable wine producer Paul Jaboulet Âiné.
Lunch Dishes.
Soupe á l’oignon, pain toasté á l’emmenthal
Onion soup with toasted bread and Emmenthal cheese
Ravioles, butternut, crème Au St. Félicien
Butternut squash ravioli with Saint Félicien cream
Tarte au citron
Lemon tart
Wines.
Paul Jaboulet Âiné. Les Jalets. Crozes Hermitage AOC. 2023. (100% Marsanne)
Paul Jaboulet Âiné. Les Grandes Terrasses. Cornas AOC. 2022. (100% Syrah)
Ampuis. Le Bistro à Vin de Serine.
Dinner Dishes.
Creme de topinambour, Gorgonzola, châtaignes grillées et chips
Jerusalem artichoke cream, Gorgonzola, roasted chestnuts and chips
Saucisson Lyonnaise cuit dans le grappe, embeurré de choux bicolore, pommes grenailles et sauce Syrah
Lyonnaise sausage cooked in grapes, buttered two-tone cabbage, new potatoes and Syrah sauce
Fromages – Assortiment de Rigottes de Condrieu (AOP Gaec du Mont)
Cheeses – Assortment of Rigottes de Condrieu (AOP Gaec du Mont)
Wine.
Domaine Chambeyron. La Chavarie. Côte-Rôtie. 2022.
Insider Travel Insights.
Climb the Hill of Hermitage (an hour to an hour and a half)
Sample not only wines, but cheeses (stunning) from Condrieu appellation
Sample non-cru wines which can be excellent with great affordability
Vineum Restaurant is really excellent value for great food and wine
Visit the Gallo Roman Museum (both indoor and outdoor exhibits) in Vienne
Thanks for tuning in!
I am in the Solomon Islands again for a week for work, and may taste a few Australian wines for the next post ….
