W.S. on The Rhone

[Innkeeper]

Firmly believe in giving credit where it is due. W.S. has put out another edition comparable to the one they did on Tuscany last May. This "keeper" edition, May 15, '01, covers The Rhone. This time they did their travelogue in such a way that includes places to stay that cost less than $100 per night, and places to eat that cost less than $50 per plate; as well as those that cost much more. They cover the region from Vienne to Avignon. They subdivide the Upper Rhone into the Cote-Rotie and Hermitage districts, and the Southern Rhone into Chateauneuf-du-Pape and the Luberon. In each area they cover wineries, hostelries, and restaurants. Of course a lot of touring is included and the they give alternate routes to some not to miss spots for those not up to climbing. As with any effort there are some points to pick at. They seem to be more interested in visiting tiny generations old wineries that do not allow visitors, don't ship wine out of town, and operate out of an old garage that was previously a stable; rather than major producers who welcome visitors to gleaming facilities, and ship thousands of cases to America. There are, admittedly some places you can visit that are somewhere in the in the middle of that.

The most educational part was that on the Luberon. This is an emerging district that like other booming regions to the west are experimenting with grapes with marketing potential in America and elsewhere. However they're growing local grapes mostly and their Cotes du Luberon has much the same mix as a C-D-R. So, if you see one of these in the store, give it a shot. Overall I would rate this edition of W.S. as a keeper. It will be filed right next to last May's edition on Tuscany.

[Scoop]

Couldn't agree with you more, IK.

Having spent the '99 harvest in the Luberon, I can confirm that the journalist did his homework, identifying some great restaurants and wineries (Chateau Verrerie, in particular). There is much change happening in this ancient wine-making region, but much of it, as you point out, is good. And what gorgeous country!

Cheers,

Scoop