Friday Night Wine School - Rhonerama Part II, the Villages and Crus of the Southern Rhone

Join us for our attendance-limited, signup-only Friday night tasting!  Tastings are held on the back patio with a max of 12 people per time slot.

"Every 13 seconds, a bottle of Rhône Valley AOC wine is enjoyed somewhere in the world."

The Rhône wine region, one of the most ancient wine-growing areas, stretches along the Rhône River to the Mediterranean Sea in the southern part of France. Geologically speaking, it was created during the last ice age as the Rhône Glacier carved its way south from the Swiss Alps through what is now France. Today, the Rhône River meanders southward on this path for over 500 miles, nourishing the region and shaping its landscape and character.

The region is one of the most celebrated and popular wine regions in the world. From the Northern Rhône, where the rugged hills of Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage produce elegant and age-worthy Syrah wines, to the sun-drenched vineyards of the Southern Rhône, where blends of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah define powerful reds like those of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the Rhône offers an incredible diversity of styles and flavors. Each subregion of the valley showcases its unique terroir, shaped by ancient soils, rolling hills, and a climate that ranges from cool, alpine influences in the north to the warm Mediterranean breeze in the south.

The Southern Rhône is famed for its bold, structured reds and complex blends that have made the valley a powerhouse of French winemaking. Whether you're tasting wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, or the lesser-known but equally intriguing Luberon or Ventoux, you’ll be treated to a true reflection of the land, where the mountains meet the Mediterranean, and each glass of wine tells a story of the people, places, and centuries-old practices that have shaped this exceptional region.

As with all wine regions in France, the Rhone has a hierarchical system of qualifying quality. From the ripe and welcoming Cotes du Rhone AOC to the more structured Cotes du Rhone Villages and finally, the famous Cru wines, exploring the region can be a complicated but delicious journey. In our "Rhonerama" series, we'll break down the AOC systems requirements as we taste very distinct wines from the area.

The Villages and Crus are the heart of the region such as the famous AOC's of Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Tavel, Lirac, Rasteau, Cairanne, Beaumes de Venise and Vinsobres.  Join Nicole Todaro as we take a road trip around the area, tasting the similarities and differences of these captivating wines.  

-All ticket sales are final.
-We will hold our tastings outside on the patio from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM on Fridays weather permitting, if it rains we move inside to the back of the shop.
-Your $5 tasting fee is refunded when you purchase a bottle of wine from the tasting. Limit 1 refund per bottle per customer.
-Please arrive 5 minutes early for your time slot, as we may not be able to move you to another spot.
-No waiting in line for your taste of wine in a plastic cup and snippet of info. During your time slot, you will have the presenter's undivided attention as you learn about and taste the wines from Riedel glassware.
-When your tasting is over, you can browse and shop or enjoy a glass or bottle at our indoor and outdoor tables.