We focus exclusively on Rhône varieties in this Issue because of the upcoming Rhône Rangers tasting here in San Francisco. It is the largest, best organized tasting of the various grapes from that part of the world on tap this year. You can find out more about this broad-based tasting at www.rhonerangers.org. There are also Los Angeles and Washington, D. C. events hosted by Rhône Rangers later in the year.

The cold-climate/warm climate Syrah debate is being won by the wines from warmer locations because its followers seem not to mind expressive wines from places like Paso Robles and Ballard Canyon.

No longer the tannin-driven behemoths that they were a few decades ago, Petite Sirah may be more approachable but it is still pretty sturdy in most versions on the market.

Long projected to be one of the next big things, Grenache is still keeping us waiting. There is progress, but the pace is slow.

Its reputation as a blending grape is in no danger of being eclipsed by the few varietal bottlings on the market.

It came. It succeeded. It never really became a major player yet, the best editions of Viognier are so good that they deserve more attention than they get.

These lesser followed white grapes from the Rhône region remain the curiosities they have been for the last couple of decades.

These lesser followed white grapes from the Rhône region remain the curiosities they have been for the last couple of decades.

These lesser followed white grapes from the Rhône region remain the curiosities they have been for the last couple of decades.