9th September - Côte-Rôtie

As mentioned previously, we are living very close to some of the most renowned wine producing areas of the world and today we set out to have a better look at the area known as Côte-Rôtie.
This area hugs the slopes of the western bank of the Rhône River above the town of Ampuis and the vines are planted on rocky terraces and supported individually by stakes like tomatoes. This is unlike the way vines, we are used to seeing, are strung on trellises. How they grow, and have for some 2,500 years, and survive, in the soil largely composed of rocks, is beyond us. But grow they do and produce this beautiful, somewhat expensive red wine called Côte-Rôtie.

 Terraced Vines

 Individually Supported Vines

As we travelled further up the hillside we came upon a beautiful village called Tupin-et-Semons with amazing views of the Rhône Valley below. We were too early for lunch but stopped and had coffee at the hotel - 2 cafe noir for 2 euros.

Rhône Valley view

 We continued our exploration south along the western bank of the Rhône River through villages  like Condrieu, St-Michael-du-Rhône and Chavanay to a small hilltop village described as having "Cultural Heritage", which means it is old, called Malleval.We had "le menu du jour" lunch in the local restaurant here, before winding our way home.

 Malleval Scene

 Malleval Wine Merchant