A Very Good Year For This Year's Côtes du Rhône?

Early reports from the Côtes du Rhône wine-growing region indicate that this year's vintage should be an exceptional one. Poor weather in the spring will mean a late harvest and a small crop, but the quality may, experts suggest, be comparable to that of the historic 1983 cuvée. Meanwhile - though the actual harvest this year won't be till mid-September - lovers of Rhône wine should head directly to Avignon for the Ban des Vendanges, an exuberant all-day celebration this weekend to mark the new season's grape harvest. Click here to read more.

First of the Autumn Wine

Wine again! Châteauneuf du Pape gets all mediaeval this weekend for the Fête de la Veraison, a celebration of the ripening of the grapes. It's the first of what will be very many autumn wine festivals in Provence. In this case, the programme features jousting, troubadours, banquets, balls and - the chances are - wine. Click here to read more