The Winery De la Venitta of Rhône méridional of Rhone Valley

When I taste the new vintage in the Rhône every autumn, I taste the wines blind, meaning the bottles are covered up. At the end, when the wines are revealed, many of the top performers are no great surprise. Something I find particularly exciting, however, is to see an estate that I’m unfamiliar with do better and better, year after year; a dark horse breaking away from the pack. In recent years, this is something I’ve witnessed with Vignobles Chirat. Aurélien Chirat was tinkering with some mach ...

‘Platinum is very hard-fought’ says co-chair Sarah Jane Evans MW. ‘It’s like something in the Premier League’, she adds, ‘but getting there means it’s going to be something special.’ The Decanter World Wine Awards judging process for Platinum begins after a meticulous first round of tasting, where all entries – this year a record 18,250 – are examined by regional specialists to determine Bronze, Silver, Gold or no award. All wines awarded 95 points (a Gold med ...

Finding a thoughtful Valentine’s gift isn’t an easy feat. But a special trip to the Rhône Valley with Decanter couldn’t be a more perfect gift for a wine and food enthusiast. That’s why, in the name of love, we’re offering $500 off all bookings on our Rhône Valley Wine Tour made this week between 13-18 February. If food and wine are your one true love, then this holiday was designed for you. Alongside fine wine tastings, private tours and picnics in the vineyards, guests will also enjoy Michelin ...