2015 Eric Texier Domaine de Pergaud St. Julien en St. Alban Vieille Serine

Eric Texier is a negociant who produces wines from the Rhone Valley, both the north and south parts of the valley, and from Maconnais. Originally trained as a scientist, Texier later attended Bordeaux University to study viticulture and oenology. After training with other winemakers, Texier made his first commercial wine in 1995. Today he produces about 25 wines. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that Texier “produces stylish, graceful, surprisingly elegant Rhone Valley reds.”

The Rhône Valley in southeast France follows the Rhône River for 125 miles and is home to some 170,000 vineyard acres. It is beloved by admirers of robust, fruit-filled, tannic red wines made from Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsualt. Though red wines predominate, the Rhône Valley also makes excellent fruity, full-bodied but dry white wines from Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. Some of the justly famous wines from the Rhône Valley include Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Condrieu, Gigondas and Cornas. Rosé wines are also produced. Vineyards have been cultivated in this area since at least 600 B.C., and by the 13th century the wines of the region were being served to the Pope, who during the 13th century resided in nearby Avignon rather than in Rome. The prestige associated with the reds preferred by the Pope led to the name Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or the “new home of the pope.” The region is generally divided into north and south when discussing wine types, and there are many appellations within the valley. Along with Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne, Rhône wines are among France’s best known and most collected wines.

Grapes from two separate appelations