Title: The Wines of the Northern Rhône: Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu & Château-Grillet

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In Episode 82, Joanne explores the northernmost part of the Northern Rhône, home to some of France’s most prestigious Syrah and Viognier wines. This is the first of a two-part look at the region, focusing on three key appellations: Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, and Château-Grillet.

Building on last week’s episode about the Mistral wind and Rhône overview, Joanne dives deeper into the geography, climate, and grape varieties that make this steep, narrow valley so remarkable. With vineyards carved into slopes as steep as 60%, the Northern Rhône is a place where ancient Roman terraces meet modern winemaking excellence.

• Why the Northern Rhône is the northernmost region where Syrah can successfully ripen

• How the steep slopes and river reflections shape the wines’ intensity and style

• The fascinating story of how this region was nearly lost to history and later revived

• What makes Côte-Rôtie (“the roasted slope”) one of France’s most elegant Syrah-producing areas

• How Viognier is co-fermented with Syrah to stabilize color and enhance aromatics

• Why Condrieu is considered the birthplace of Viognier—and how it returned from near extinction

• The rarity of Château-Grillet, one of only two monopole appellations in France

• Côte-Rôtie produces deeply colored, full-bodied Syrah wines with floral lift and spice. Co-fermentation with Viognier (up to 20%, though rarely that high) adds perfume and elegance.

• Condrieu focuses exclusively on Viognier, producing rich, full-bodied wines with aromas of blossom, apricot, and stone fruit.

• Château-Grillet, a 3.5-hectare monopole owned by Château Latour, sits in an amphitheater of granite that shelters its vines from the cold north winds.

The Northern Rhône may be small—just 5% of Rhône production—but it produces some of the most distinctive and age-worthy wines in the world. Its combination of steep slopes, ancient terraces, and mastery of Syrah and Viognier makes it one of the most compelling study regions for WSET students.

Questions about WSET classes or trips?
Email Joanne at joanne@wineeducate.com
Visit www.wineeducate.com for class listings, resources, and upcoming trips.

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Provence is more than postcards and pale pink wine. In this episode, Joanne unpacks the landscape, climate, history, grapes, and key appellations that define Provence today. You will hear how a region famous for rosé has invested in research, navigates fierce winds, and still makes serious reds and characterful whites along a very glamorous coastline.

• Provence produces about 90% rosé. Classic style is very pale, light to medium bodied, dry, with delicate red fruit.
  
  

• History matters: viticulture since 600 BCE, recovery after phylloxera aided by the railroad, and a long tradition of rosé.
  
  

• Climate: Mediterranean, about 3,000 hours of sun and roughly 27 inches of rain per year, most in winter. The Mistral lowers disease pressure and supports organic viticulture.
  
  

• Research: Home to the Centre du Rosé, which also studies climate adaptation, grape choices, and harvest strategies.
  
  

• Grapes: Grenache (~38%), Cinsault (~19%), Syrah (~16%) lead. Old-vine Carignan and Mourvèdre contribute to reds and structured rosé. Whites often feature Rolle (Vermentino) and Clairette.
  
  

• Style spectrum: Fresh, delicate rosé to age-worthy “Grand Rosé” or “Rosé à conserver.” Reds range from fruity to full-bodied and barrel matured. Characterful coastal whites.
  
  

• Design and market: Proprietary bottle shapes and high tourism visibility. Celebrity and luxury ownership have raised the profile.
  
  

Côtes de Provence AOC

• Founded 1977. About 20,100 ha planted. Roughly 72% of Provence production. About 91% rosé.
  
  

• Rosé primarily from Cinsault and Grenache. Up to 20% white grapes allowed in rosé blends.
  
  

• Whites include Clairette, Sémillon, Ugni Blanc, and Rolle.
  
  

Three coastal pockets

• Bandol AOC: South-facing terraced slopes that capture heat. Mourvèdre thrives. Premium reds are dark, full-bodied, powerful in tannin. Minimum 18 months in oak. Best with a few years of bottle age. Distinctive rosé and some whites are also produced.
  
  

• Cassis AOC: First AOC here (1936). Striking terraces above the sea. Known for characterful whites and elegant rosé.
  
  

• Bellet AOC: Small enclave near Nice with mineral-driven wines.
  
  

IGP Méditerranée

• Shared with parts of the Rhône and Corsica. Allows flexible blending and wider sourcing for styles outside strict AOC frameworks.

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Welcome back to the Wine Educate Podcast! In this episode, Joanne Close takes us into the wines of the Roussillon, a region often described as “rugged” and one of the sunniest in France. Surrounded on three sides by mountains and on the fourth by the Mediterranean, Roussillon has a unique climate, rich cultural identity, and a fascinating wine history that sets it apart from its neighbor, the Languedoc.

Joanne shares travel tips for visiting the region, explains its dual Catalan and Occitan heritage, and describes how the challenging but rewarding landscape has shaped the vineyards and the wines. From still wines to fortified Vin Doux Naturel, Roussillon offers styles that reflect both tradition and innovation, and Joanne highlights the winemakers who are helping this region find new energy today.

• Why the Roussillon is one of France’s driest and sunniest regions, and how its eight named winds affect viticulture.

• How the region’s diverse soils and elevations create different opportunities for grape growing.

• The importance of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvèdre in red blends, and the key white grapes you’ll find here.

• The history and current role of Vin Doux Naturel, once a global favorite and still central to Roussillon’s identity.

• The rise of small producers and the natural wine movement in this region of old vines and inexpensive land.

• Why the town of Collioure remains a highlight, from its anchovies to its impressionist art history.

If you are curious about experiencing the South of France firsthand, Joanne and the Wine Educate team are hosting a Zoom info session on Wednesday, October 15th at 12:00 pm Central. Learn more and sign up here: www.wineeducate.com/trips

If you have questions about our upcoming trips to The South of France, we are hosting a Zoom info session on October 15th. Get the Zoom link here: www.wineeducate.com/trips

If you want to learn more about our upcoming trips, visit: www.wineeducate.com/trips

To receive study tips, quizzes, and information on upcoming classes, sign up for our newsletter: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter

Hello friend, and welcome to Episode 78 of the Wine Educate podcast! I’m your host, Joanne Close, and today we’re diving into the Languedoc, a region that is near and dear to my heart.

As some of you know, my parents bought a vineyard here 25 years ago, so this has been my summer stomping ground for decades. Now that I’m running wine trips, I get even more excuses to visit—not just my parents, but also this extraordinary, and often underrated, corner of France. I’ve had some of the best meals and most memorable bottles of wine in the Languedoc, and I can’t wait to share its story with you.

• Why Jancis Robinson calls Languedoc “France’s best value.”

• The history behind the name “Languedoc” and its three central departments: Aude, Hérault, and Gard.

• How the Languedoc evolved from producing France’s bulk wines to becoming home to exciting AOCs.

• The importance of IGP wines here (60% of France’s IGP wines come from this region!).

• The role of wind, sunshine, and climate in shaping viticulture.

• Key appellations and sub-appellations you should know for your wine studies.

• Signature grape varieties and styles—from bold reds to refreshing Picpoul de Pinet and sparkling wines of Limoux.

• Personal stories from my family’s vineyard and why this region continues to inspire me.

The Languedoc is literally watching itself reinvent and redefine quality. It’s vast, diverse, and still evolving, which makes it both exciting to study and rewarding to drink from. Whether you’re studying for WSET or just looking for amazing value wines, the Languedoc has something for you.

If you have questions about our upcoming trips to The South of France, we are hosting a Zoom info session on October 15th. Get the Zoom link here: www.wineeducate.com/trips

If you want to learn more about our upcoming trips, visit: www.wineeducate.com/trips

To receive study tips, quizzes, and information on upcoming classes, sign up for our newsletter: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

Description:
In Episode 77 of the Wine Educate Podcast, Joanne Close explores the fascinating rise of Super Tuscans—wines that broke Italy’s traditional rules and became some of the most sought-after bottles in the world.

In Tuesday’s episode, we covered Chianti and Chianti Classico. Today, we’re heading about 75 miles southwest to Bolgheri, the coastal home of Super Tuscans. Though close in distance, Chianti and Bolgheri couldn’t be more different in climate, grape varieties, and wine styles.

We’ll dive into:

• What makes a wine a “Super Tuscan” (hint: it’s all about those Bordeaux grapes and French barriques)

• Why the end of Tuscany’s sharecropping system in the 1950s–60s led to a decline in wine quality

• How new investors and open-minded winemakers planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah

• The origin story of Sassicaia, the trailblazing wine that inspired a movement

• The creation of Bolgheri DOC in 1983, its evolution in 1994, and the unique 2013 Sassicaia DOC—Italy’s only single-estate DOC

• How Bolgheri grew from 250 hectares in the late 1990s to nearly 1,200 hectares today with 60 producers

• Why Super Tuscans remain some of the most iconic and expensive wines in Italy

Episode Highlights:

• The contrast between Chianti Classico’s high-altitude Sangiovese and Bolgheri’s plush Bordeaux blends

• The story of Sassicaia and why it’s so special

• The evolution from “vino da tavola” to prestigious DOC status

• Current pricing and collector appeal of Super Tuscans

Perfect for:

• WSET students looking to sharpen Level 3 knowledge

• Italian wine enthusiasts curious about more than Chianti

• Collectors and wine lovers who want to understand the Super Tuscan legacy

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Hello and welcome back to the Wine Educate Podcast. I’m your host, Joanne Close, and this is episode 76. Today we’re diving into the history and wine laws of Chianti and Chianti Classico. This is a Level 3 topic, but I’ve added context and stories that bring the region to life.

Chianti has one of the longest and most fascinating histories in Italian wine. As early as the 13th century, the region was known as “Chianti,” and in 1716, Grand Duke Cosimo III of Tuscany officially delineated the boundaries of what is essentially Chianti Classico today. This was done to protect quality and combat fraud, making Chianti one of the first wine regions in the world to be legally defined.

In 1924, the Consortium for the Defense of Chianti Wine was founded, beginning with just 33 producers and symbolized by the black rooster, the Gallo Nero. Today, it represents nearly 500 producers and continues to defend the reputation of Chianti Classico, often clashing with government decisions and proposals from the broader Chianti DOCG.

We’ll explore the differences between the two appellations:

• Chianti DOCG (DOC status in 1967, DOCG in 1984): A broad region divided into seven subzones, requiring only 70% Sangiovese in the blend and allowing higher yields. Quality can vary widely, though subzones like Chianti Rufina and Colli Senesi stand out.

• Chianti Classico DOCG (its own DOCG since 1996): The historic heartland, with vineyards at higher altitudes that produce wines of greater acidity, structure, and elegance. Rules require at least 80% Sangiovese (often 100%), with defined aging requirements: 12 months for Classico, 24 months plus 3 in bottle for Riserva, and 30 months for Gran Selezione, which must come from a single estate.

We’ll also talk about the introduction of UGAs (subzones within Chianti Classico) in 2021, the consortium’s ongoing battles with Chianti DOCG over labeling, and why this region’s story is full of both drama and determination.

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Hello friends, and welcome back to the Wine Educate Podcast. I’m your host, Joanne Close, and today we’re doing something a little different. This episode won’t be heavy on exam prep, but it will give you important context about Piedmont and its history through two fascinating regions: Alto Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta.

This topic is fresh on my mind because Jim and I were recently there this summer, and I’ll also be teaching a class on it in the shop this Tuesday (there are still a few spots left if you’re local).

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The drive from Nizza Monferrato to Gattinara, just 72 miles and about an hour and 20 minutes, through the rice fields that produce 90 percent of Italy’s rice.

• My visit to Cantina Sociale di Gattinara, a historic co-op founded in 1908, and why this modest place holds such significance in the region’s story.

• The history of Alto Piemonte, which once had 40,000 hectares under vine and produced Nebbiolo wines more prized than Barolo and Barbaresco, before phylloxera, wars, and migration nearly wiped it out.

• The current landscape of Alto Piemonte, with Gattinara at 111 hectares and other appellations as small as 8 hectares, and the renewed investment from Barolo producers seeking cooler, higher-altitude vineyards.

• Nebbiolo, known locally as Spanna, how it got that name, the blending grapes historically used, and why so many producers now focus on 100 percent Nebbiolo wines.

• Valle d’Aosta, Italy’s smallest wine region at 469 hectares, a short but winding drive from Gattinara.

• The charm of the town of Aosta, its food shops, its folklore of dragons, the devil, and fairies, and how this mythology shows up in its architecture and even its wine labels.

• The unique position of Aosta as the last town before Mont Blanc, where both Italian and French appear on labels.

• The DOC structure and key grapes of the region, including Petit Rouge, Nebbiolo, and Prié Blanc, which reaches the highest vineyards in Europe at around 1200 meters.

This episode blends history, travel, and wine study in a way that helps place Piedmont into a fuller context.

If you are local, I would love for you to join me Tuesday at The Independent to taste through some of these wines. If you are not local, we offer wine classes year-round, so you can check our website for sessions that interest you.

Next week we return to the classics of wine law with Chianti, then Rioja and the Langhe.