Federation of Rhône wine producers omits Châteauneuf in advertisement

AOC Rhône advertentie België

Inter Rhône, the association of wine producers and wine trade in the French valley of the Rhône, runs a new advertising campaign in the Belgian press. The advertisement mentions all AOC’s in the valley of the Rhône… except two. That Château Grillet, one of the smallest French AOC’s (3,8 ha) has been omitted, we find somewhat understandable. But the advertisement also omits Châteauneuf-du-Pape, arguably one of the three leading AOC’s in the Rhône valley, together with Hermitage and Côte-Rotie. Maybe someone at Inter Rhône had one glass to many when green lighting the advertisement? Tastes differ, but we find the red elephant used in the advertisement quite ugly. The omitance of one of the most important cru’s of the Rhône valley is probably the lesser error. According to our source in Châteuneuf who shall remain anonymous the vignerons in Châteuneuf refused to pay for their share in the publicity campaign. This seems to be the reason why Châteuneuf isn’t mentioned in the Inter Rhône publicity campaign. (Click on the thumbnail to see the full advertisement.)