The best of the northern Rhone vineyards are some of the most frightful vineyards to work. I was shocked the first time I went to Cornas where some of the terracing is both narrow and precipitous. This after several visits to Hermitage hill, which is civilised in comparison, while my only previous tour of the area was by helicopter, oh yes. So seeing Condrieu and Cote Rotie with their one-vine-wide terraces, and paths so steep you need to belay a rope to scramble up the friable granite, is a great introduction to the 2011 vintage. Because in the north, this is a vintage of terroir wines; balanced, cool, old fashioned in their alcohol levels, though not in their ripe fruit and stuffing. A modern terroir vintage, if you like.

If you can, join us tomorrow when we're looking at a few of the wines, including those of Hermitage's Marc Sorrel. Normal place, from noon. /CW

View all 2011 Rhone en primeur wines