The 2010 vintage is creating a buzz among the wine producers of the Rhone Valley, with some suggesting that it could be better than 2009.

Although weather conditions in the region meant that the size of the crop is smaller than usual, it is of exceptionally high quality, the Drinks Business reports.

Nick Thompson, owner of L'Ameillaud in Cairanne, said that poor flowering had impacted the Grenache, but the Syrah and Mouvedre are more concentrated as a result.

Asked for an appraisal of the 2010 vintage by the publication, he replied: "Well balanced with an acidity higher than 2009."

Daniel Coulon, the owner of Domaine de Beaurenard in Chateauneuf du Pape, added that choosing between 2009 and 2010 would be "very difficult".

With the price of First Growth Bordeaux continuing to escalate, Decanter recently reported that Chinese investors are increasingly looking to the Rhone for investment opportunities.

A well-received 2010 vintage will surely only add to this trend.