The initiative, led by the Association of the Right Bank of the Côtes du Rhône, is thirty years old! This Thursday evening, twenty winegrowers and a large audience shared the new “super harvest”. This weekend, twenty cellars, estates and castles are opening their doors.
What a birthday! The thirtieth edition of the Balade du primeur, supported by the association Côtes du Rhône Rive Droite, began this Thursday morning in the Halles de Nîmes and Bagnols, and in the evening on the Place Mallet with a grand premiere. The winegrowers took their place, the DJs took the stage, and the audience responded (300, 400 people and more). “The initiative is great”, “it’s friendly, it’s nice and a change”, say the tasters. About twenty winegrowers tasted young wine and shared a friendly moment around the activities: wine competitions and music. “Primeur symbolizes the realization of a vintage that is very fruity and fresh this year, it’s a great year,” sums up Jérémie Castor, from the Saint-Nabor estate in Cornillon. “We are happy, it’s great! The event celebrating its 30th anniversary proves that people like it, says Jean-François Assemat, president of the Côtes du Rhône association on the right bank. Tasting, talking to the winemaker, our work is fascinating and there is something new to say every year!” The Balade du primeur trophy was presented to Miss Agricole 2023 by Pauline Pradier (winemaker in Saint-Nazaire). It was won by Domaine Challias (Cornillon). Domaine Ventajol (Pont-Saint-Esprit) takes second place in this wine competition, followed by L ‘Inattendu (Pont-Saint-Esprit) and Château Correnson (Saint-Geniès-de-Comolas).
During the weekend, twenty cellars, estates and castles on the right bank of the Rhône will welcome the public.