Sales of Rhone Valley wines, such as Chateauneuf du Pape, are enjoying an excellent period of growth due to aggressive campaigning, according to the region's promotional body.

Harper's Wine and Spirit reports that Inter Rhone has seen export growths to the UK increase by 22 per cent over the last year, while a "healthy" balance between supply and demand has been maintained.

The global recovery that began in late 2009 led to an increase in exports overall of 13 per cent in volume and 8.5 per cent in 2010, the organisation revealed.

It added that its growing markets are those in which it has launched promotional campaigns, including both traditional wine-consuming markets and major markets-to-be.

In the Irish Times, Sarah Walsh recently described a visit to the village of Chateauneuf du Pape, saying it was a "compact and beautiful" place where most of the local vineyards maintain a tasting shop on the high street.