At the Avignon Palais du Pape"Decouvertes" tastings and masterclasses today

Great day at the bi-annual “Decouvertes” tastings at the Palais du Pape - two masterclasses , the first run by wine journalist/blogger Matt Walls on the appellation of Seguret (really interesting session defining the style) - Mourchon’s Family Reserve Grenache was featured as one of the top reds -and the second a double act between Louis Barroul of Saint-Cosme and Andrew Jefford the wine journalist ( an gifted speaker). The theme of the latter - “Freshness” - Gigondas being positioned as the Northern wines of the Southern Rhone due to their climate, altitude, unique terroir and in many cases whole cluster fermentation. Learnt new things as ever- for example the reason why i’ve found La Bouissiere Gigondas so austere is all down to its altitude and super cool north facing slopes! Louis told a great anecdote about being a kid and watching the Faravel family bring down their grapes from the high slopes at harvest time in October with a dusting of snow, incredible!. Ran into many old friends and met a new contact Christophe Ay the young wine maker at venerable estate Raspail Ay - nice guy and absolutely loved the style of his 2016 Gigondas…must take guests to taste at some point this yearF