Côte Rôtie

With a surface area under vine of 323 hectares, most of which clings precariously from ridiculously steep terraced slopes, to say this is a small appellation is an understatement from every angle. But nowhere is Syrah more revered, nowhere is it as perfumed and elegant and, astonishingly, nowhere is it so under the radar than in Côte Rôtie.

The slightly drab town of Ampuis is the commercial centre, but it is the majestic slopes that rise from behind the town that catch the eye, full of famous names using the terraced walls as advertising hoardings. The two slopes of Blonde and Brune are certainly impressive - from here it stretches south following the mighty Rhone river until it hits the southern slopes which brings you up to Condrieu.