need a hotel recommendation for the Northern Rhone!” I hadn’t planned on visiting the Northern Rhone, yet when I had a change of plans during a trip to Provence, I went to the Stephen Tanzer forum (International Wine Cellar) to get some helpful advice, along with eRobertParker.com. rue de Beau-Rivage, 69420 Condrieu, France [link]. MORE >>

This medley of five grapes is a cross blend of Bordeaux and Rhone varieties that includes 82% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Shiraz and aged for six months in oak. All round this is a very good value at $19.95 retail per bottle MORE >>

The lineup includes about six wines, red, white and rosé, all from France. My favorite wine of the lineup was Domaine Le Garrigon , a 2008 Cotes du Rhone. Wine in a box? Try wine in a crate. They are priced at about $40 for a three-liter box. Search for the wines at retail.). Are you gellin’? For Wineberry box, the answer is yes. MORE >>

From the Columbia and Walla Walla Valley in Oregon comes this tasty blend made from 35% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 14% Syrah. The climate east of the Cascade Mountains is far more hospitable to the Bordeaux and Rhone varietals. It is aged for 9 months in French oak barrels before blending. MORE >>

Nederburg is also famous for its auction, conceived as a platform for rare and specialty South African and today one of the top four wine auctions internationally, along with Germany’s Kloster Eberbach, France’s Hospice de Beaune and California’s Napa Valley Vintners auction. The 49 hectare winery dates back to 1791 by Phillipus Wolvaart. MORE >>