Into The Groove

In France’s Rhône Valley, resilient old vines and canny vintners propel success in a string of hot, dry years

Jean-Michel Gerin in the cellar with sons Alexis and Michael drinking nwine
Jean-Michel Gerin (left) works with his sons Alexis and Michael to make some of the Northern Rhône’s top reds at their domaine in Côte-Rôtie. (Alison Bounce)

Hot and dry growing seasons have become the norm in the Rhône, but vintners produced great 2019 red wines from both the North and the South, bolstered by resilient old-vine vineyards. Get Wine Spectator senior editor James Molesworth’s full report from the Jan. 31–Feb. 28, 2022, issue, plus more than 175 top red and white wines and top values from across the region.

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