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
Address: 14 rue de la Petite Fusterie, 84000 Avignon, France, Rhone Valley
Underground wine bar in Avignon's old town with vaulted medieval cellar setting. Hosts monthly tasting evenings with Rhone Valley domaines and maintains a strong list of Southern Rhone estates.
The list: 250 references focussed on Rhone Valley; 20 by the glass; regular evening tastings with visiting winemakers; cheese and charcuterie pairings from local producers
Pours: Vacqueyras, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, Chateauneuf-du-Pape 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
Natural wine bar on Place des Clercs in Valence with a strong Rhone Valley grower list. Standing-room counter plus pavement terrasse; wine shop doubles as a reference for natural Rhone producers.
The list: Northern and Southern Rhone-focused natural wine list; 200 bottles to eat in or take away; 12-16 by the glass at any time; emphasis on small biodynamic producers
Pours: Saint-Peray blanc, Crozes-Hermitage natural, Cotes du Rhone villages
Underground wine bar in Avignon's old town with vaulted medieval cellar setting. Hosts monthly tasting evenings with Rhone Valley domaines and maintains a strong list of Southern Rhone estates.
The list: 250 references focussed on Rhone Valley; 20 by the glass; regular evening tastings with visiting winemakers; cheese and charcuterie pairings from local producers
Pours: Vacqueyras, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, Chateauneuf-du-Pape blanc
Wine bar and bistro in Vienne, gateway city to the Northern Rhone appellations. Adjacent to the Roman amphitheatre at Jazz a Vienne festival time; strong Cote-Rotie and Condrieu focus.
The list: Northern Rhone specialist list with 120 references; Cote-Rotie, Condrieu and Crozes-Hermitage verticals; 10 by the glass from grower selection
Pours: Cote-Rotie, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph rouge
Wine bar on the main square of Vaison-la-Romaine with an outstanding local producer selection. Flanked by the Roman ruins, La Sommeliere is a gateway to the Dentelles de Montmirail wine villages.
The list: Dentelles de Montmirail and wider Southern Rhone list of 160 references; 14 by the glass; emphasis on Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes-de-Venise from local domaines
Pours: Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise fortified
