The Rhône Gang

You may not be surprised to read that I am in favour of the spirit of co-operation. (See, for example, A giant step for JR.com.) It was therefore a great pleasure to meet the Rhône Gang recently: Louis Barruol of Ch St-Cosme in Gigondas, Frédéric Chaudière of Ch Pesquié in Côtes du Ventoux and Rodolphe de Pins of the historic Ch de Montfaucon across the Rhône from Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Gard department came over to London for a tasting organised by UK importer Flint Wines. Their partner in gangsterdom, merchant Arnaud de la Chanonie, couldn't make it.

Not only...