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Avignon (84 Vaulcluse, Provence) is hosting a huge wine-tasting event called "Rhone Exaltation" on 11 and 12 November 2006, where over 400 wines from the Southern Rhône - "During one exceptional weekend, Rhône Exaltation will offer a unique experience for all lovers of wine and cuisine to discover over 400 different wines from the Rhône Valley,to savor fine French gastronomy, and to visit some of the finest historical monuments and museums of Avignon..". For a very reasonable €30 (about £21) visitors get a tasting glass, a tasting guide with a full program, and a booklet of 20 tasting tickets with access to 12 thematic wine exhibitions, courses in the wine school and tastings at the Chatelet on the Pont d’Avignon.
The southern Rhône is a rich and prolific area for wine production, dominated by Syrah and Grenache reds which thrive in this hot climate Apart from the wealth of Côtes du Rhône AC wines - there are additionally "Côtes du Rhône-Villages AC" wines from specific named villages which tend to be on the surrounding hillside slopes generally producing more concentrated and intense wines (such as Rasteau, Vinsobres, Cairanne....) Then there are real blockbusters from areas such as Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Lirac and Tavel (best for rosés), not forgetting the dessert wines such as Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.
A few recommendations:-
Domaine la Fourmone for seriously good Côtes du Rhône, Vacqueyras and Gigondas
Chateau d'Aqueria for Lirac
Domaine Maby for Tavel rosé