Rhone Ranger from Rhone

[Scoop]

Last October I spent two weeks in and around the Luberon, and after visiting -- and sampling product from -- numerous local wineries, I found this to be an up-and-coming region where a lot of investment money has poured in in recent years. A lot of vineyards have gone "biodynamic", too, in their vitification. It's not the Languedoc, but there's some action.

A lot of the best producers don't export to the US -- yet. But if anyone is traveling to that part of France, I would be glad to give some names of some wineries.

On top of some great, quaffable roses, you can find some very good cinsault, grenache and syrah blends, some that are even age worthy. They are a bit on the rustic side, with some herbal characteristics, reflecting the coutryside itself (where sage, rosemary and thyme grow wild and perfume the air). But I find them charming. And the whites can be pretty good too, as the bargain white "La Vieille Ferme" indicates (BTW, the other grape variety I forgot up above is Grenache Blanc -- thanks Dutton!).

Don't let one bad bottle completely color your perception!

Cheers,

Scoop