Smooth, sun-drenched, darkly spicy and brilliantly priced – four richly rewarding reasons to winter in the Rhône

It’s little wonder the majestic reds of the Rhône Valley really come into their own at this time of year.

Hermitage, Côte Rôtie, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, St Joseph and even humble Côtes du Rhône have garnered a stellar reputation, over centuries, by producing some of the most mesmeric and age worthy wines in the world; well capable of rivalling and complementing the finest offerings from Bordeaux and Burgundy.

We have handpicked four Rhône classics from our cellars to sate your needs this festive season. Two spectacularly bold and spicy Syrah’s from the north, one inimitable Châteauneuf from the south and a peerless Côtes du Rhône made by one of the greatest winemakers on the planet. All of these are guaranteed to impress friends, family and guests, without breaking the bank.

Moncoeur, Côtes du Rhône, Jean-Louis Chave Sélection, 2023. The Chave family have been making wine since 1481, so this is no ordinary Côtes du Rhône. It is not hyperbole to say that Jean-Louis Chave makes the finest Hermitage money can buy. Suffice it to say, his fingerprints are all over this brilliant, and eminently affordable Rhône blend. There is an abundance of crunchy red fruit and plum flavours, endowed with aromatic winter spices. It will be a real treat served alongside game, pork or beef.

André Perret’s St Joseph, 2022. This beautifully crafted, but easy-going Northern Rhône St Joseph is fresh and lively. It has a delicate, perfumed bouquet of dark cherries, violets and spices, followed by an elegant, juicy palate and a mouth-watering finish complete with cocoa nib, wild herbs and garrigue. A great pair for vegetarian dishes, nut loaf, white meats or game.

Clusel Roch’s Les Schistes 2020 hails from the high steep vineyards of Côte Rôtie. This abounds with red and dark berry fruits. Background notes of plum and damson are offset by a wonderful cooling earthiness, orange rind and peppery spice. The wine offers great substance without being remotely heavy and has a lovely raspberry freshness on the impressive finish. A better match for duck has yet to be found.

Domaine Féraud et Fils’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2019. We culminate our list in the southern Rhône’s flagship cru - Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Feraud’s generous gift is replete with a sweet core of red fruits on the nose. Silky bilberries, blackcurrants and cranberry are joined on the mid palate by notes of aniseed, liquorice and white pepper. This is sophisticated and elegant - a heady wine with the most beautiful, haunting, floral finish. A perfect partner for roast beef on the big day or a good book by the fire.

This supreme quartet will undoubtedly demonstrate that it pays to winter in the Rhone! As usual, orders over £200 are delivered free of charge.