Wouldn’t it be great to take a river boat cruise down the Rhône River? There are many quaint towns with world-class restaurants and festivals happening throughout the year. Best of all, great views of the vineyards and changing topography from northern to southern Rhône.

I have written many articles about Rhône Valley wines. I have shared the rich history of the region, it is one of my favorite examples that there is no separation of church and wine. I have even provided some important statistics and grape information of the region. Today, we will go deeper into France’s second largest wine producing region. We will begin in Lyon and follow the Rhône River south to explore the crus of the Rhône Valley.

Why would you drink an unappreciated grape from an unfashionable wine region? Read my latest The Daily Meal contribution to find out…

Chile is among the new world’s preeminent wine regions. Many wine consumers recognize Chile as a great source of value with wines in the $10-29 range tasting way above their price point. Furthermore, Wines of Chile has marketed Carmenere successfully to the point it is now not only a well-recognized grape but also associated with Chile. Furthermore, I think it is fair to say there are many wine consumers who recognize Chile also produces high quality Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and even some Pinot Noir and sparkling wines. However, I think many fail to consider Chile when veering beyond the $20ish range when looking for a luxury wine. That, my friends, is a mistake.