Rhone (North) - 2007

2007 was unquestionably a great northern Rhône vintage, which, unlike the more Burgundy-inspired 2006, was thoroughly Mediterranean in style and flavour.
The vintage conditions in 2007 were remarkable. April was like high summer, and just like 2003, holidays were cancelled and pickers were summoned early for an almost-certain August harvest. But history never quite repeats itself, and after the heat came a little rain which was quickly dispelled by a strong Mistral wind.
This was not a vintage to pick early. Growers had to keep their nerve and not be tempted, despite very encouraging sugar readings. Good growers always taste the grape pips, rather than rely on sugar readings, so the better growers waited and gambled that the Indian summer would continue. It did – Marcel Orford-Williams