FFW 2021 Wine Catalogue

RHÔNE SOUTHERNRHÔNE

TRAVEL TIPS A Guide to Northern Rhône

It’s a hugely enjoyable and convenient place to visit, which I recommend whole heartedly. The region is narrow, hugging the river which brings cool Alpine waters past the steep, terraced granite slopes, slopes so steep they require winches, with the terracing preventing erosion. Walking to the top of La Geynale in Cornas or to the Chapel inHermitage really brings home this rough steep terrain and the wonderful views. The food is excellent too with Girolles a local speciality. If you’d like to visit, get to Lyon and after a short drive you’ll arrive in Ampuis, the village that Cote Rotie centres around. I have stayed at the Hotellerie Le Beau Rivage . A very comfortable hotel with easy access to the north-end of the region, fromAmpuis to Chavanay. Its restaurant is the best in Condrieu. Good restaurants abound in all the local towns for well-cooked local food. Further down the river and the best place tomake forays to Cornas, Crozes- and Hermitage proper is Tain L’Hermitage below the famous hill. Both Chapoutier and Jaboulet are based here and historically it’s been a busy port for shipping wine. It’s a buzzing town and lunch on the river – even in January – was excellent. Tom Meade

Notable places

HOTELLERIE LE BEAURIVAGE

2 Rue Beau Rivage, 69420 Condrieu, France

www.hotel-beaurivage.com

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