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Denis Alary and his family have been in the Cairanne region of the southern Rhone since 1692 so it’s fair to say that they know a thing or two about it. Cairanne has recently been promoted from Cotes du Rhone Village status to a fully fledged Cru (to rank alongside Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Tavel, Lirac and Châteauneuf-du-Pape), exciting changes are happening in the hamlet of Cairanne. This is in no small measure due to the patience and knowledge of Denis who has stood as the Chair of the Appellation for the past 25 years. Jean Ettiene (son of Denis) now works with Denis on winemaking and introducing some new world wine making skills he learned from various stints oversea’s including New Zealand and Australia.

New-Zealand at Seresin Estate, In Australia at Henschke Estate and in France at Confuron-Cotetidot Estate in Burgundy.

According to Jean Ettiene, the creation of fine wines depends , above anything else, on the quality of the fruit. With new knowledge acquired oversea’s he is putting his stamp on things in the cellar.  Thus, he introduces more and more his style in Cairanne. Ambitious and determined, Jean-Etienne provides new ideas, preserving the traditions of the wine estate at the same time. Between modernity and tradition, the future of the Alary estate sounds promising.