Saint Joseph: Pierre Gaillard La Releve 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.

A major appellation of the Northern Rhône, stretching along the right bank of the river near prestigious neighbours such as Hermitage, Cornas, and Côte-Rôtie. Granted AOC status in 1956, it is the second-largest appellation in the Northern Rhône after Crozes-Hermitage, covering around 1,230 hectares. Its reds — roughly 90% of production — are made exclusively from Syrah, showing fresh red and black fruit, black pepper, and floral notes with an elegant, approachable character. A small amount of white is also made, blended from Marsanne and Roussanne.