Welcome to vacqueyras. copycover

Focus on Vacqueyras: Latest Vintages and Top Producers

France: Rhône & Beaujolais, featured

Nicolas Greinacher, Oct 2024

Vacqueyras is bouncing back from a challenging 2021 with the stronger 2022 and 2023 vintages. The 2022s offer greater consistency, while the 2023s deliver juicy, fresh and approachable profiles. In this article, I highlight standout producers and provide an update on the commercial reality of these wines.

Clairette grapes in gigondas waking up to a crisp september morning. copycover %281%29

Gigondas: Triumphs, Challenges and New Beginnings

France: Rhône & Beaujolais, featured

Nicolas Greinacher, Oct 2024

The highly anticipated inaugural 2023 Gigondas Blanc category marks a significant milestone for the Southern Rhône appellation. Alongside these crisp whites, the bottled 2022 reds are gorgeous, while the unfinished 2023s, at this early stage, offer charming, juicy and approachable profiles.

Sun kissed jura vineyards in july 2024. copy

Bonjour Jura!

France: Jura, France, featured

Nicolas Greinacher, Aug 2024

Jura, the star-studded wine region sandwiched between Burgundy and Switzerland, is firing on all cylinders. Focusing on the recent vintages from 2023 to 2020, I couldn’t be more excited to share my thoughts on one of the world’s most fascinating wine regions.

27 vintages of the red mas de daumas gassac are all lined up copycover

Digging up a Languedoc Treasure: Mas de Daumas Gassac 1978-2022

France, featured

Nicolas Greinacher, Jul 2024

Every ten years, Mas de Daumas Gassac organizes a vertical of their reds at the winery going back to the inaugural 1978 vintage. On this occasion, the winery presented 27 vintages of their flagship red, an incredible opportunity to examine the wines under a magnifying glass.

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Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022: Bring It On

France: Rhône & Beaujolais, featured

Nicolas Greinacher, Jun 2024

After getting a good glimpse at the 2022 vintage while visiting other Rhône appellations last year, I was eager to see how Châteauneuf-du-Pape performed in a growing season marked by heat, drought and hail. The short answer is that 2022 is a very good vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, clearly surpassing 2021 for the reds, though likely not at the same level as 2020. Overall consistency for reds in 2022 is higher than in 2021, and there are plenty of excellent wines cruising in an affordable price range.

Madiran bottle shot cover

2019 Château Montus and Bouscassé: A Premiere Glance

France, featured

Nicolas Greinacher, Apr 2024

For decades, the secluded Madiran AOC in Southwest France has quietly cultivated its reputation. Now, the spotlight turns to the 2019 releases from Château Montus and Bouscassé, unveiling wines shaped by evolving viticultural and winemaking practices. Antoine Veiry, the 30-year-old stepson of Alain Brumont, is driving this transformation as he leads both estates into a promising new era.

Exploring the ancient cellars of domaine auguste clape amidst the heart of cornas copycover

Northern Rhône: Where Diversity Ignites the Senses

France: Rhône & Beaujolais, featured

Nicolas Greinacher, Mar 2024

Diversity reigns supreme in the Northern Rhône Valley, with each appellation offering unique expressions. Despite climatic challenges, local vintners exhibit remarkable adaptability, ensuring the sustainability of their vineyards and the quality of their wines. This report unearths the distinct characteristics of the 2021 and 2022 vintages, from a high degree of variability of the former to the promising potential of the latter.

Gigondas vineyards underneath the dentelles de montmirail. copycover

Gigondas: The Southern Rhône Jewel Shines and Adapts

France: Rhône & Beaujolais, featured

Nicolas Greinacher, Jan 2024

Gigondas, the Southern Rhône gem, finally moves ahead with the official Gigondas Blanc category as part of the inaugural 2023 vintage. This report unravels the time-consuming AOC adaptation process, delves into the region’s unique terroir and offers a thorough review of the promising 2022 and more mixed 2021 vintages.

A touch of hollywood in vacqueyras. cover option

Vacqueyras New Releases: Walking the Underdog

France: Rhône & Beaujolais, featured

Nicolas Greinacher, Nov 2023

In the sun-drenched vineyards of the Southern Rhône Valley, a captivating underdog story has been unfolding for years. Overshadowed by its prestigious neighbor, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the unassuming Vacqueyras appellation has been gaining attention for its affordable, high-quality wines. This report dives deep into the world of Vacqueyras, explores its characteristics, winemaking techniques and the latest four vintages, uncovering why this hidden gem deserves your attention.

Ch%c3%a2teauneuf du pape is famous for its old vines planted on  galets roul%c3%a9s   which are essentially rounded pebble stones over sandy  iron rich clay. copycover2

Châteauneuf-du-Pape New Releases: Welcome to the Pleasuredome

France: Rhône & Beaujolais, featured

Nicolas Greinacher, Jun 2023

Embracing their sun-kissed terroir, the historic vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape continue to produce bold and complex wines. But winemakers face unprecedented challenges as climate change looms and a global shift away from overly alcoholic wines persists. This report takes a deep dive into these present-day challenges and a first-hand look at how winemakers are conquering adversity and shaping their own futures.