Wines of the Rhône | Matt whalls

Dividing the region into two parts, Walls depicts the sights, sounds and smells of the towns and countryside that make each unique. He then brings readers up-to-date with top-line facts and figures and explores the climate, terrain, main soil types, grape varieties and peculiarities of viticulture and vinification in each part of the region. Although the focus of the book is on the present Walls takes time to look at the main historical events that have shaped each part of the Rhône Valley and its wines. Part 1 covers Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Rasteau, Cairanne, Beaumes-de-Venise, Vinsobres, Lirac, Tavel, Brézème and St Julian St. Alban, the Diois and Côtes-du-Rhône Villages and other southern Rhône appellations. Part 2, the northern Rhône, covers Côte-Rôtie, Seyssuel, Condrieu, Château-Grillet, Saint Joseph, Cornas, Saint-Péray, Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage. Part 3 contains vintage guides for both parts of the region, giving a brief description of the quality and typical wine styles in both red and white wine from 1978 to the present day and detailing main vintage characteristics and any over- or underperforming appellations as well as providing a guide to food and wine matching.

Wines of the Rhône examines the contemporary issues being tackled across the region with clarity and authority, in a readable and entertaining format that makes an invaluable addition to the library of any serious wine lover.

“Walls manages to include all of the nerdery and also imbue everything with an intimate love and knowledge of the region.” – Henry Jeffreys, timatkin.com

“Authoritative, but never at the expense of readability, this book will enthral Rhône fans and enlighten those learning about the region for the first time.” – Decanter (June 2022)