Guigal Ex Voto, Hermitage.
Guigal is one of the iconic names of the Rhône valley in France. Hermitage is a tiny appellation of just 136 hectares on the slopes of the hill of Hermitage. Thirty producers work this land, and Guigal own two hectares of them. Guigal makes Ex Voto only in the very best years.
A Carafe of Red
This is a collection of essays, snapshots of Asher’s wine writing from the 80s and 90s, almost all in Europe, languid tales of wine and history and culture, with remarkable relevance, even insight, for today. Worth a read.
Guigal and Château d'Ampuis
The Guigal family comes full circle at the Château d’Ampuis, which also houses the company’s cooperage, started in 2003.
Syrah in France
Syrah is France’s third most planted black grape variety (after merlot and grenache). And there’s more in the Languedoc and Roussillon than there is in the Rhône valley, though it’s the latter region that claims the variety as its own, and more specifically the northern Rhône, where syrah reaches one its apogees.
E. Guigal
Guigal is one of the foremost producers in the Rhône valley, making everything from estate wines, wines from bought-in fruit and blending wines from bought-in wines. Third generation Philippe, the company’s general manager, explained it all.