Costières de Nîmes: Domaine de Poulvarel Les Gres 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.

The southernmost appellation of the Rhône Valley, set on pebbly plateaus and hills around the historic city of Nîmes, with a winemaking history stretching back over 2,000 years to Roman times. Though it lies geographically within the Languedoc and was formerly part of it, its growers petitioned to join the Rhône, whose bold, full-bodied blended style its wines closely resemble; it has officially belonged to the Rhône since 2004. Predominantly red and rosé, built chiefly on Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, the wines are ripe and generous, benefiting from a warm Mediterranean climate tempered by coastal breezes. Fragrant, fuller-bodied whites from Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, and Roussanne complete the range.