Rhone Valley Wines at Hospice du Rhone by Business France in North America

One Day In

The Rh么ne Valley Tasting book

Kensas City Denver Paso Robles April 12-16, 2016

Overview of

Rhône Valley Wines

Located in southeastern France, the 150 mile-Rhône Valley follows the North to South course of the Rhône River, from Lyon to the Mediterranean Sea. The vines benefit from a semi-continental climate between Vienne and Valence, where the Syrah grape variety is at its best. These wines are superb with elegance and subtleness with Lyon-style cooking. Between Montélimar and Avignon, the climate is fully Mediterranean with the Grenache grape variety far in the lead. Associated with the Syrah and Mourvèdre grape varieties, it brings spicy notes which enhance southern cooking. In the Rhône Valley Wines, you will find AOC Côtes-du-Rhône, AOC Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, AOC Crus (16 crus + 2 sweet wines) and others appellations like Clairette de Bellegarde, Costières de Nîmes, Côtes du Vivarais, Duché d’Uzès, Grignan Les Adhémar, Luberon, and Ventoux.

Rhône Valley’s

Latest Vintages

2015 The 2015 harvest has proved to be one of the best in professional memory, yielding a range of red wines with enormous potential. The vineyards were in particularly good health the day before the start of harvest: both foliage and fruit were in perfect condition. Grape skins were thick and high in polyphenols, giving good color and tannins. Sugar levels are remarkably good, particularly in the northern vineyards. Whites and Rosés have been showing excellent richness of aroma; in terms of balance, this year‘s low acidity levels give the wines a feeling of fullness and opulence. The first of the red wines have surprised tasters by their intensity of color and the richness of their tannins. Syrahs in the north and Grenaches in the south have produced some stunning cuvees. 2015s will be, without doubt, great wines for cellaring.

2014

The Rhône asserts its identity

2014’s wines are distinctive in their typicity, consistent with each appellation’s identity. Wines are pleasingly well-coloured and have a good balance of acidity and sugar. In the northern vineyards, Syrah achieved perfect ripeness while retaining a good level of acidity. Red wines from the southern vineyards prove that Grenache has staged an unequivocal comeback: wines are

warm and rounded on the palate, with the spiced blackcurrant and blackberry flavours. The whites are showing excellent balance, suggesting that this will be an outstanding vintage. They promise complex, fresh and highly aromatic wines.

2013

Freshness and Balance

In 2013, the well-balanced acidity has a positive effect on color, while maceration times have encouraged a good level of phenolic compound extraction in the reds. Sugar levels are moderate, so alcohol levels will be lower than in previous years. Whites and rosés have distinctively powerful, fruity flavors and good balance on the palate, all thanks to the vintage’s natural vibrancy.

2012

Balance and Harmony

2012’s wines are defined by their elegance, balance and freshness. The Syrah is highly expressive and displays pepper, violets and liquorice with supple tannins. The wines are well-rounded and balanced. The Grenache covers a whole spectrum of red fruit flavors and adds smoothness. For the rosés, the combination of Grenache and Cinsault have yielded excellent results, and the blend of Grenache and Syrah has produced wines with a good depth of color, powerful flavors and a good balance of freshness. The whites have retained a good level of acidity so they are both lively and expressive.

2011

Fruit and Finesse

With lots of fruit and body, the 2011 vintage produced wellbalanced wines with robust cherry notes with velvety tannins. The grapes benefited from a long Indian summer, with extremely mild temperatures. The 2011 vintage shows definite ageing potential. The reds are supple and fruit-driven, the rosés are expressive and the whites are fresh and light.

Grapes of the

Rhône Valley WHITE VARIETIES MAJOR WHITE VARIETIES

VIOGNIER • Viognier wines are highly aromatic and delicate. • Extremely difficult to grow. It had almost died out by the 1960s but saw a resurgence in the late 20th century. • Often blended in the southern Rhône and elsewhere, it is the only grape used in Condrieu. • Sometimes added into the red wines of Côte-Rôtie to provide aroma and structure. MARSANNE • A native of the Rhône Valley. • Widely used in the white wines of Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Saint-Péray. • Traditionally blended with Roussanne, but now also used on its own. ROUSSANNE • Less hardy and productive than Marsanne, but more aroma, with higher acidity and contributes an ability to age.

MINOR WHITE VARIETIES BOURBOULENC, CLAIRETTE BLANCHE, PICPOUL UGNI BLANC

RED VARIETIES MAJOR RED VARIETIES SYRAH

• The only red grape permitted in the Northern Rhône appellations and an important grape in many southern blends. • Native to the northern Rhône Valley. • Late budding and relatively early ripening make it ideally suited to the climate of the northern Rhône. • Produces wines that are capable of long aging. • Sometimes blended with up to 20% Viognier (see white grapes) in Côte-Rôtie.

GRENACHE

• The most widely planted grape in the southern Rhône Valley. • Grenache probably originated in Spain as Garnacha and has been present in southern France since Roman times. • Highly productive and disease resistant. • Grenache can produce both quantity and quality and is almost always blended with other grapes.

MOURVÈDRE

• Like Grenache, Mourvèdre appears to have originated in Spain. • It is one of the latest budding and ripening varieties and requires a warm climate. • It is added to southern blends for structure.

CARIGNAN

• Widely planted throughout southern France. • Carignan is a secondary ingredient in southern Rhône blends.

CINSAULT

• Closely related to Grenache but ripens earlier. • Widely used in rosé wines and is included in some southern Rhône blends.

MINOR RED VARIETIES CLAIRETTE ROSE, COUNOISE, GRENACHE GRIS, MARSELAN,

MUSCARDIN, PICPOUL NOIR, TERRET, VACCARÈSE (also called Carmarèse)

Rhône Wines

Key Figures

• 390 million bottles of Rhône Valley AOC wines sold around the world in 2013-2014. • 159 countries around the world consumed Rhône Valley wines in 2014. • Every 12 seconds, a bottle of Rhône Valley AOC wine is enjoyed somewhere in the world. • 3.1 million hl harvested in 2014.

Rhône Valley wines in the US market • The U.S. is the No.1 export market for Rhône Valley AOC wines, representing a value of 81.4 million Euros in 2014. • Rhône Valley wines represent 14.15% market share within French AOC for still wines. • The Rhône Valley is among the top five regions mentioned in spontaneous questioning by U.S. trade professionals (Wine Opinions research, 2012).

Table of

Contents

Arnoux & Fils ..........................................................................

Bastide Jourdan ........................................................................ Château Cohola ....................................................................

Château de Montfrin .................................................................. Château Juvenal ....................................................................

Domaine de Provensol .............................................................. Domaine des Carabiniers ......................................................

Domaine de la Bastide .............................................................. SCEA Anne Hugues - Domaine de la Royère.........................

Marrenon ...................................................................................

Arnoux & Fils

Independent winegrower & wine merchant

Contact Jean-François ARNOUX General Manager Amanda BECKER Export Assistant Phone: +33 490 658 418 Email: info@arnoux-vins.com Website: www.arnoux-vins.com

Region Châteauneuf du Pape, Rhône Valley Denomination Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Côtes-du-Rhône Importer / distributor Grape Expectations (CA)

Who are we? Since 1717, our family has been cultivating vineyards, and this tradition, this heritage has become a passion. This is why, today, we vinify our crus in ways that respect our ancestors’ practices, thus allowing us to share with you the authentic tastes of our terroir.

Featured wines Vieux Clocher Vieilles Vignes

AOP Côtes-du-Rhônes (red) 2014 Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre

Vieux Clocher

AOP Gigondas (red) 2014 Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre

Vieux Clocher

AOP Vacqueyras (red) 2014 Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault

Château Lestours Clocher

AOP Vacqueyras (red) 2012 Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Vacarèse, Terre Noir, Muscardin, Cournoise Parker - 93+

Château Lestours Clocher Les Penitents AOP Vacqueyras (red) 2012 Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre Parker - 91

1717

AOP Vacqueyras (red) 2011 Grenache, Syrah Parker - 91

Bastide Jourdan Independant winegrower

Contact

Valérie & Alexandre Jourdan Winegrowers Phone: +33 490 401 568 Email: bastidejourdan@gmail.com Website: www.domainebastidejourdan.com Region Rhone Valley Denomination Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Importer / distributor None

Who are we? Domaine Bastide Jourdan is situated in the heart of the Rhone valley area, at Bollène (Vaucluse) and Rochegude (Drôme). The 22 hectares (54 acres) vineyard run by the Jourdan’s family lies between the Massif d’Uchaux and the Lez river on a limestone terroir. Our old vines have very low yields that produce quality grapes. The fully-ripened grapes are hand-picked and undergo traditional vinification with temperature control. Some of our cuvées are barrel-aged, and we have been producing organics wines since 2011.

Featured wines Laurentin Blanc

Grande Réserve

Le Rosé

Le Secret de Pape Roger

Cuvée Réservée

Rochegude

Côtes-du-Rhône (white) 2015 Roussane, Viognier

Côtes-du-Rhône (rosé) 2014 Grenache, Cinsault Côtes-du-Rhône (red) 2015 Grenache, Syrah, Carignan

Côtes-du-Rhône (red) 2013 Grenache, Syrah, Carignan Côtes-du-Rhône (red) 2012 Carignan

Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Rochegude (red) 2014 Grenache, Syrah

Château Cohola Independent winegrower

Contact Jérôme BUSATO CEO Phone: +33 674 484 309 Email: jerome@maisonrougewines.com Website: www.maisonrougewines.com

Region Sablet, Rhône Valley Denomination Vaqueyras, Gigondas, Côtes-du-Rhône village Importer / distributor Wine-World-Wide (NY)

Who are we? Maison Rouge Wines - Château Cohola was founded in 2002 by Jérôme, oenologist and winemaker, and Cheli, a management and business graduate. After ten years in the vineyards of Burgundy, Bordeaux and Spain, we both decided in 2002 to settle down in the Rhône Valley, to produce wines of our own style. We bought a wonderful property of 9 hectares (22 acres) where we planted our grapes in organic agriculture. Quality and pleasure are the two criteria that guide our work. Our Cor Hominis Laetificat, or CO HO LA range - to gladden Man’s heart - perfectly reflects the way we work and make wines.

Featured wines Château Cohola Rouge

Château Cohola Rouge

Cor Hominis Laetificat

Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Sablet Organic (red) 2015 Grenache

Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Sablet Organic (red) 2015 Syrah

Château Cohola Rouge

Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Sablet Organic (red) 2014 Grenache, Syrah

Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Sablet Organic (red) 2013 Grenache, Syrah Gigondas (red) 2010 Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre

Cor Hominis Laetificat

Vaqueyras (red) 2010 Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre

Château de Montfrin Independant winegrower

Contact Réjane FELTZ Director of sales Phone: +33 783 473 693 Email: rejanefeltz@chateaudemontfrin.com Website: www.chateaudemontfrin.com Region Costière de Nîmes Denomination Côtes-du-Rhône, Costières de Nîmes Importer / distributor Satyr Picks (NY)

Who are we? With 80 ha (200 acres) of vineyards drawing their sustenance from the intensely gravelly soil once part of the Rhône river bed, our estate has an olive oil mill and a winery. We comply to the standards of organic farming and have established a wildlife sanctuary to preserve the great biodiversity of our land. Ideally located on naturally terraced hillsides on the southeastern extremity of the Rhone, the Montfrin wine estate is one of a few to produce wine of four different appellations - Cotes du Rhone, Costières de Nimes, Coteaux du pont du Gard and vin de Pays d’Oc - and we are the recipient of various awards every year.

Featured wines A la rêverie

Côtes-du-Rhône (white) 2015 Roussane, Grenache Gold Medal - Concours Général Agricole de Paris

A mon seul désir

Côtes-du-Rhône (white) 2015 Viognier, Grenache Blanc

Château de Montfrin

Côtes-du-Rhône (red) 2015 Grenache, Syrah, Carignan

A la douceur d’aller

Côtes-du-Rhône (red) 2013 Syrah, Grenache

Château de Montfrin

Costières de Nîmes (red) 2015 Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre

A mon seul désir

Costières de Nîmes (red) 2013 Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre

Silver Medal - Concours Général Agricole de Paris

A la rêverie

Côtes-du-Rhône (red) 2014 Grenache, Syrah, Carignan

Château Juvenal Independent winegrower

Contact Matthieu RABIN Director of Sales Phone: +33 490 281 257 Email: graveyron@gmail.com Website: www.chateaujuvenal.com

Region Ventoux Denomination Ventoux Importer / distributor None

Who are we? Five years ago, we hired Philippe Cambie - Robert Parker’s Best Oenologist for 2010 - to supervize the vinification at Château Juvenal and benefit from his experience. Our terroir is exceptional: on the southern side of a small hill, our soil is made of clay and limestone and bathes in sun rays. Since 2009, the whole vineyard has been grown in the respect of organic standards. Plantings are prepared 2 years in advance after a thorough analysis and a few tests, and they are planted for 50 years or more. Each one of them is then monitored all year long so that our teams can handpick every grape at its most riped state.

Featured wines Les Ribes du Vallat

Moments

La Terre du Petit Homme

Les Ribes du Vallat

Ventoux (rosĂŠ) 2015 Grenache, Cinsault

Ventoux (red) 2014 Grenache, Syrah Parker - 92

Ventoux (red) 2014 Grenache, Syrah

Ventoux (red) 2012 Grenache, Syrah Parker - 90 Ventoux (red) 2012 Grenache, Syrah

Domaine de la Bastide Independent winegrower

Contact Vincent BOYER Manager Phone: +33 621 051 683 Email: vinboyer@wanadoo.fr Website: www.domainedelabastide.com

Region Visan, Rhône Valley Denomination Côtes-du-Rhône, Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Importer / distributor Bonhomie Wine Import (NJ), Peerless Wine Selection (MI), Winecask Import (MA), ORR Selections (FL)

Who are we? Domaine de la Bastide was originally an old fortified Templars farm. Partially destroyed during the French Revolution, it has been rebuilt to go back to where it started: wine making. Located in the heart of the Rhône Valley, our vineyards are planted on stony dry soils, typical of the South Rhône valley. A family business, we have been working in these vineyards for over 25 years, passing the torch from generation to generation, until the next one comes along in the next few years.

Featured wines Tradition

Côtes-du-Rhône (white) 2015 Viognier, Roussane, Bourboulenc, Clairette

Tradition

Côtes-du-Rhône (rosé) 2015 Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault

Les Figues

Côtes-du-Rhône (red) 2015 Syrah, Grenache, Carignan

Tradition

Côtes-du-Rhône (red) 2015 Grenache, Syrah, Carignan

La Gloire de mon Père

Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Visan (red) 2014 Syrah

Tradition

Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Visan (red) 2014 Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre Parker - 88

SCEA Anne Hugues Domaine de la Royère Independant winegrower

Contact Peggy DILLINGER Director of Sales Phone: +33 632 172 126 Email: peggy.dillinger@royere.com Website: www.royere-husson.com

Region Luberon, Rhône Valley Denomination Luberon, Côtes-du-Rhône Importer / distributor European Wine Imports (OH), L’eft Bank Wine (WI), Misa Imports (TX)

Who are we? Domaine de la Royère, the cradle of the Hugues Family, is and old family estate which has been run since 1986 by Anne and JeanPierre Hugues. After more than fifteen years spent reorganizing the vineyards, preparing the cellar and working on barrel maturing, the estate now offers wines that respect the specificity of the appellation, yet reflect Anne and Jean-Pierre Hugues’ shared taste for the concentrated vintages that fully express the soil and the grape varieties.»

Featured wines Oppidum White

Oppidum Red

Oppidum Rosé

Vieilles Vignes

Luberon (white) 2015 Roussane, Clairette

Luberon (rosé) 2015 Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault

La Royère

Côtes-du-Rhône (red) 2014 Grenache, Cinsault

Luberon (red) 2015 Grenache, Syrah, Carignan

Luberon (red) 2012 Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre

Gold medal - Concours général agricole de Paris Domaine de la Royère Luberon (red) 2014 Grenache, Cinsault

Domaine de Provensol Independent winegrower

Contact Dominique THOUROUDE Winegrower Phone: +33 663 558 833 Email: dominique@domainedeprovensol.fr Website: www.domainedeprovensol.fr

Region Rh么ne Valley Denomination C么tes-du-Rh么ne Importer / distributor None

Who are we? Located in the south of the Rh么ne Valley, our terroir benefits from a rather high altitude, a pleasant Mediterranean climate and calcareous clay soils with stony strips; the ideal conditions to grow organic vines. Our location is also ideal to acquire the most flavorful yields of our grapes. We care for our vineyards and our wines as natural as possible, using local yeasts and no oenological products; only a tiny portion of sulphites at ageing and bottling. As a result, our natural, crisp wines offer a bit of character and plenty of aromas.

Featured wines Coucou Blanc

Sainte Perpétue

Coucou Rosé

Coucou Rouge

Côtes-du-Rhône (white) 2014 Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne Côtes-du-Rhône (rosé) 2015 Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Viognier

Cléduny

Côtes-du-Rhône (red) 2015 Grenache, Syrah, Marselan

Côtes-du-Rhône (red) 2015 Syrah

Côtes-du-Rhône (red) 2014 Grenache, Syrah

Cléduny

Côtes-du-Rhône (red) 2012 Grenache, Syrah, Carignan

Domaine des Carabiniers Independent winegrower

Contact Fabien LEPERCHOIS Winemaker, producer Phone: +33 466 826 294 Email: carabinier@wanadoo.fr Website: www.carabiniers-organic-wine.com Region Roquemaure, Rh么ne Valley Denomination C么tes-du-Rh么ne, Tavel, Lirac Importer / distributor The Artisan Collection (NY)

Who are we? Biodynamic agriculture is for us the best way to seize the essence of the ground and the plants we work with. The terroir of our wines has to be fully reflected in them, we expect them to deliver in the purest way the notes they acquire through the natural balance between the sun, the seasons, the lunar cycles and the care we provide to the ground and the vine. To be a biodynamic wine grower means to us that we need to protect our roots and our vine to make unique, exceptional wines for the most demanding and eco-conscious consumers.

Featured wines Domaine des Carabiniers

+ + - - no added sulfite

Domaine des Carabiniers

Lirac (white) 2015 Grenache blanc, Viognier, Roussane

Tavel (rosé) 2015 Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette, Syrah

Côtes-du-Rhône (red) 2015 Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault Lirac (red) 2014 Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre

Domaine des Carabiniers

Côtes-du-Rhône (red) 2015 Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault

Marrenon Cooperative

Contact Marc HOFFMANN USA and Canada Director Phone: +1 (514) 887-9449 Email: marc.hoffmann@marrenon.com Website: www.marrenon.com

Region Luberon, Rhône Valley Denomination Ventoux, Luberon Importer / distributor USA Wine Imports (NY) W Harrison Imports (DC, VA), Breakthru (IL), Bevco (TX), PDX wine (OR)

Who are we? Marrenon is more than 40 years of uniting 1200 winegrowers to make wines that highlight the magnificent terroirs of Provence’s Luberon and Ventoux regions. Their combined 7600ha of vineyards are situated in a fragile ecosystem, where environmental respect is at the forefront. Together, via their craft, Marrenon’s winegrowers sustain their heritage and are proudly able to share it with you today.

Featured wines Doria

Pétula

Luberon Classique Blanc

Grand Marrenon Rouge

Grand Toque Rosé

Orca

Luberon (white) 2014 Vermentino, Grenache blanc, Roussanne Parker / Wine Advocate - 90

Luberon (white) 2014 Grenache blanc, Vermentino, Ugni blanc Luberon (rosé) 2015 Syrah, Grenache Parker / Wine Advocate - 88 Wine Enthusiast - 87

Luberon (rosé) 2015 Syrah, Grenache Parker / Wine Advocate - 89 Wine Enthusiast - 88

Luberon (red) 2013 Syrah, Grenache Wine spectator - 88 Ventoux (red) 2014 Grenache, Syrah Wine spectator - 88

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Inter-Rhône

6, rue des trois faucons CS 90513 / 84024 Avignon Cedex 1

Contact USA

Eileen Fabunan – efabunan@inter-rhone.com Daphné Payan – dpayan@inter-rhone.com

Contact France Caroline VIGNERON – cvigneron@inter-rhone.com

Rhône Valley Wines

@RhoneWine

www.rhone-wines.com Campaign financed with aid from the European Union