Cairanne: Domaine des Amadieu Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Red

The Rhône Valley is home to some of the oldest vineyards in the world, with wine production dating back to Greek occupation in the 4th century BC and thriving under the Romans; it was later revived when the papacy moved to Avignon in the fourteenth century, giving Châteauneuf-du-Pape ('the Pope's new castle') its name. The Northern Rhône is home to prestigious names such as Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, and Hermitage - small-production wines of exceptional quality - where Syrah is the sole red grape and whites come from Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. The larger, warmer Southern Rhône is best known for the bold Châteauneuf-du-Pape and its rival Gigondas, alongside excellent-value names such as Vacqueyras, Rasteau, and Cairanne. Its wines are predominantly red, built chiefly on Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.

One of the newest crus of the southern Rhône, in the Vaucluse north-west of Orange, elevated from Côtes du Rhône Villages to its own AOP in 2018. Its arid, warm climate and varied terroir of limestone and alluvial soils, spread across a southern plateau and hills below the Dentelles de Montmirail, ripen the grapes beautifully while low yields give real concentration. Predominantly red, built on at least 50% Grenache blended with a minimum of 20% Syrah and Mourvèdre, the wines are medium-to-full-bodied with intense red and black fruit, spice, and good ageing potential. A small amount of fresh, floral white is also made, led by Clairette, Grenache Blanc, and Roussanne.