Chêne Bleu is a winemaker based in Vaucluse, in the southern Rhône Valley. The producer works across appellations in this part of southeastern France, including Vaucluse IGP and Ventoux, making still wines in red, white, and rosé styles.

Vaucluse and the broader Ventoux region are characterized by warm Mediterranean conditions moderated by the Mistral wind, which flows down the Rhône Valley. This climate suits southern Rhône varieties well, particularly Grenache and Syrah for reds, and white varieties like Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. Wines from this area tend toward ripe fruit expression with good acidity and structure, reflecting both the heat and the ventilation the region receives.

Chêne Bleu's current range emphasizes the classic varieties of the southern Rhône. Their whites include single-varietal Viognier and a white blend (Aliot) built from Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, and Roussanne. Their reds center on Syrah and Grenache blends, notably the Astralabe cuvée, while their rosé draws on a broader palette of local red varieties. This selection reflects a straightforward engagement with the region's traditional grape mix.

Wine has been produced in the Rhône Valley for over 500 years, with some of its vineyards being amongst the oldest in France. Syrah rules over the south with a mix of Mediterranean grapes, while in the north, the two stars are Hermitage – grown on an imposing granite hillside above the town of Tain and best put away in the back of the cellar for a decade – and Côte-Rôtie, a star appellation made famous by Guigal's single-vineyard wines, yet also home to dozens of fine producers as yet less well known. The sheer hillsides overlooking the river have to be terraced to make production possible.

St Joseph and Cornas also provide wines of weight and worth, but the best source for good value is Crozes-Hermitage, a satellite appellation which has come alive in the last few years with the arrival of young blood.

The river valley widens out south of Valence into Côtes du Rhône country on the windy alluvial plains and the lower slopes of the hills. It is a most imposing sight during the cold, clear, blue skies of Mistral conditions. The best of the wine villages of the Côtes du Rhône have been promoted to their own appellations - Vinsobres, Vacqueyras - close in quality to the better known Gigondas.

The king of the southern Rhône is Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Here the galets roulés, rounded rocks from the ancient river bed, provide the context for gloriously rich red wines that are redolent of the heat and herbs of the south, and enhanced by the complexity which comes from blending several grape varieties. Thirteen are permitted in all, but Grenache usually dominates, along with Syrah and Mourvèdre in support. A fine vintage needs eight to 10 years cellaring for best results.

If your taste runs to fuller, richer, relatively exotic white wines, then perhaps a white Hermitage or Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the Rhône Valley would suit better, or else a marvellously perfumed, heady Condrieu - headquarters of the Viognier grape.

Vaucluse IGP is an Indication Géographique Protégée covering the Vaucluse department in southeastern France, spanning parts of both the Rhône Valley and Provence regions. This designation allows winemakers greater flexibility than more restrictive AOC appellations, permitting a wider range of grape varieties and winemaking techniques across diverse terroirs within the department.

The Vaucluse encompasses varied landscapes from the Rhône Valley's gravelly terraces to Provence's limestone hills, creating diverse microclimates and soil types. The Mediterranean climate brings warm, dry summers and mild winters, with the mistral wind providing natural disease control. Producers can work with both traditional Rhône varieties like Syrah, Grenache, Marsanne, and Roussanne, as well as other Mediterranean grapes including Viognier, Cinsault, and Rolle (Vermentino).

Wines from Vaucluse IGP typically express the sun-soaked character of southern France while maintaining freshness through careful vineyard management and winemaking. White wines often show stone fruit and floral notes with mineral undertones, while rosés tend to be dry and food-friendly with red berry flavors and herbal nuances. The IGP classification encourages innovation, allowing producers to craft distinctive blends that reflect their specific terroir within this geographically diverse department.