Low-key village wine bar on the edge of Chateauneuf-du-Pape within walking distance of several major domaines. A favourite among winemakers' families after harvest; rotating slate of local estate pours.
The list: Village wine bar with 35 Chateauneuf-du-Pape producers represented by the glass; informal tasting-room atmosphere; local cheese and olive bar
Address: Route de Courtheron, 84230 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone Valley
Sommelier-led wine bar with one of Avignon's deepest Rhone Valley cellars. Weekly pairing dinners pair seasonal menu to a curated three-wine flight; bottle service available from the full 500-label list.
The list: 500-label cellar; 25 by the glass spanning the full Rhone Valley; formal sommelier service; weekly pairing dinner with three-course menu
Pours: Hermitage rouge, Chateauneuf-du-Pape blanc Roussanne, Cotes du Rhone Villages
Wine bar and epicerie in Montelimar combining local Rhone Valley wines with regional produce. A gateway to Grignan-les-Adhemar wines from the Drome corridor, often overlooked in favour of more famous southern appellations.
The list: Cotes du Rhone, Grignan-les-Adhemar and Dieulefit organic producers list; 80 references; 8 by the glass; paired with regional nougat and cheese
Pours: Grignan-les-Adhemar Syrah, Cotes du Rhone Villages, Marsanne blanc de pays
The wine bar and salon of La Mirande hotel behind the Palais des Papes. Sommelier-led list dominated by Rhone Valley estates with regular vertical and thematic evenings; tasting events coordinated with top estates.
The list: All-Rhone and Provence list of 180 references; 20+ by the glass spanning Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Cote-Rotie and Condrieu; sommelier-selected weekly feature pours
Pours: Chateauneuf-du-Pape rouge, Condrieu Viognier, Gigondas
Neighbourhood wine bar in a vaulted 17th-century cellar near Les Halles market. Florence Martin's selection foregrounds small growers and natural wines from across the Rhone Valley corridor.
The list: Curated natural and artisan Rhone Valley list with 200+ references; 16 by the glass rotating weekly; owner-sommelier Florence Martin trained at Inter Rhone
Pours: Natural Cotes du Rhone, Grignan-les-Adhemar, Lirac blanc
Intimate wine bar and small-plates venue in Tain-l'Hermitage village, ideally positioned near the Chapoutier and Cave de Tain cellars. Northern Rhone specialist list with bottle shop next door.
The list: Tain-centric wine list with 80 Northern Rhone references; emphasis on Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Cornas by the glass; weekly grower-direct additions
Pours: Hermitage blanc, Crozes-Hermitage Syrah, Cornas
Wine bar with panoramic terrace at the ruins of the Papal castle in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Exclusively Chateauneuf-du-Pape producers; sommelier Stephane Bonnet presents guided appellation flights at lunch.
The list: Exclusively Chateauneuf-du-Pape list of 60 producers; 18 by the glass at any time; panoramic terrace overlooking the vines; guided tasting menus available
Pours: Chateauneuf-du-Pape rouge grand millesime, CdP blanc Roussanne, Tavel rosé
