Elevations in the southern Rhône

Vinsobres and Beaumes-de-Venise have been elevated from being nominated specific Côtes-du-Rhône Villages to wallowing their own appellations, just like Gigondas, promoted from mere village to appellation in , and Vacqueyras similarly elevated in 1990. Beaumes-de-Venise has long had its own appellation for its golden sweet Muscat vin doux naturel but this new one applies to its spicy dry reds.

In my tastings so far, Domaine Jaume 2004 Vinsobres is certainly a very promising introduction to the new appellation, as is Perrin, Les Hauts de Julien 2004 Vinsobres.

In my recent 2004 tastings in the southern Rhône I also tasted wines...