The ‘other’ Rhône: Lirac, Tavel & Laudun

Get off the beaten track and discover the ‘other Rhône’. Most people are familiar with the famous appellations of the left bank such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. So let’s check out the other Rhône less known and visit three dynamic winemakers producing voluptuous blends of Lirac, Tavel and Laudun.

Lirac

Lirac is undoubtedly the finest appellation for red wines on the southern Rhône’s right bank, and probably the least well known hiding in tranquil isolation across the river from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Is it a different terroir to Châteauneuf-du-Pape? Certainly; the blending of wines from different terroirs is what defines the Lirac style: strong, structured, and aromatic, but always fresh and elegant. giving the wines a more delicate yet voluptuous style than those of its more famous neighbour. It is one of the 13 ‘crus’ of the Rhône valley family.

Tavel

In many ways, the Tavel wine region has created an all-encompassing brand for itself. In France, “Tavel” has become synonymous with rosé for its exceptional production of deep, spicy, vibrant, and powerful dry rosé wines; a favorite of French kings from Philippe le Bel to Louis XIV, the Popes of Avignon, and the 20th-century writer Ernest Hemingway. Tavel is the first appellation to have been created for rosé wines in France. and like Lirac and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, it is one of the famous crus of the Rhône valley.

Laudun

Côtes du Rhône Villages-Laudun is an up and coming appellation for red, white and rosé wines from the village of Laudun in the southern half of the Rhône valley. It is one of about 20 villages that are permitted to add their names to the Côtes-du-Rhône Villages appellation. They have been identified as producing higher quality wines that are distinctive of the regional style, and as a result, local winemakers are pushing for their appellation to be given the ‘cru’ status joining the ranks of both Tavel and Lirac, as well as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas.

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€ 165.00/person.

Minimum 2 persons. Maximum 4 persons.