I always do a little research on a region before writing these pieces, to make sure that my memory of the place matches with the accepted norms. But as I was researching Saint-Peray, I came across this quote on a prominate wine website, “Finally, St Péray, a small appellation producing some unexciting still white wines.” At first, I was in disbelief that such a great region could be written off so easily, then I remembered that the only wines I had ever consumed from the region were from Bernard Gripa, and that even though they were among my favorite white rhône wines, they probably weren’t typical.

I guess that it would be fair to say that Bernard Gripa is to Saint-Peray as Jean-Luc Colombo was to Cornas: both its savoir, and it’s re-inventor. Bernard and his son Fabrice cultivate exceptional sites on steep, calcareous slopes that produce electric wines. The wines are aged in oak, on their fine lees. This wine is a blend of 80% Marsanne and 10% Roussanne.

Drink this wine with halibut, roast chicken, or mildly spiced Cantonese cuisine. Drink now – 2018.