While the winter months mean dormant vineyards, this time of the year is the key selling season for winemakers, as they get to show off wines both in bottle and barrel.
No event is bigger for a wine region than Decouvertes du Rhone, the every other year Rhone Valley four day extravaganza that takes place in Avignon, Mauves, Tain Hermitage and Ampuis over four days, starting March 11.
Between the stands, the discovery tables and the special areas of assembly, like the Femmes du Rhone or the Chateauneuf du Pape who showcase wines in a wonderfully thematic fashion. Then there are the AOC and Villages with winemakers big and small showing whats new.
Most importantly are the after hours events known as OFFs. These are usually by invitation only, but scoring an invite is usually simply just asking for one. The first off of the week is Sunday night March 10, when the International Grenache Association holds their soiree at Delirium in Avignon.
Having never missed a DvR since its inception, this is one wine event where those looking to discover whats happening in the Rhone, that trade and industry won’t want to miss.