Covering a surface area of 75,600 hectares of vines, the Rhône Valley region is the 2nd largest wine growing region in France after Bordeaux. It is mainly famous for its Côtes-du-Rhône regional appellation, which covers its entire territory and is divided into two parts, a northern and southern part. The northern part of the Rhône Valley enjoys a semi-continental climate and produces powerful, easy-to-store wines. It is the home of the prestigious appellations of Côte-rotie, Saint-Joseph, Cornas and Crozes-hermitage.The southern part of the Rhône Valley, which enjoys milder weather conditions, produces fine and fruity wines. Several appellations contribute to its prestige, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is undoubtly the most famous of all.Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault are the most used grape varieties in the production of red wine from the Rhône Valley. Marsanne, Roussane, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc and Viognier are mainly used for its white wine.
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Appellations
- Grignan les Adhémar
- Vacqueyras
- Costières de Nîmes
- Côtes du Rhône
- Chateauneuf du Pape
- Gigondas
- Beaumes de Venise
- Château Grillet
- Chatillon-en-Diois
- Clairette de Die
- Condrieu
- Cornas
- Côte Rôtie
- Pierrevert
- Luberon
- Côtes du Rhône Villages
- Ventoux
- Crozes Hermitage
- Hermitage
- Lirac
- Muscat de Beaumes de Venise
- Rasteau
- Saint-Péray
- Tavel
- Vinsobres
- Gaillac
- Cairanne
- Saint-Joseph
Rhône Valley
The Wines of the Rhône Valley
Stretching along the Rhône from Vienne to Avignon and extending to the Camargue and the Luberon, the vineyards of the Rhône Valley are among the largest and oldest in France. In fact, the vineyards developed alongside civilization with the arrival of the Romans over 2,000 years ago. With its multitude of grape varieties, diverse geology, and contrasting climates, the wines of the Rhône Valley offer exceptional diversity. Embark on a journey through the Rhône Valley vineyard, discovering its history, appellations, grape varieties, and the best food and wine pairings with this guide.
The History of Rhône Valley Wines
Although the first vine plants were introduced by the Phocaeans, who had settled in Marseille, around 2,500 years ago near Vienne, the Rhône Valley vineyard saw significant growth after the region was conquered by the Romans in 121 BC. The strong presence of the Roman Empire in the region, stretching from Vienne to Orange and Nîmes, placed vineyards at the heart of the Rhône landscape.
The installation of the popes in Avignon in the 14th century also marked a turning point in the history of Rhône Valley wines with the planting of vineyards within the Papal States, leading to the renown of wines like Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Thanks to their millennia-old history and reputation, Rhône Valley wines were among the first to benefit from regulations protecting their authenticity. This was later formalized with the creation of the AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) in 1936 with Châteauneuf-du-Pape and in 1937 with the Côtes-du-Rhône AOC, making the Rhône Valley a pioneering region in the designation of controlled origin appellations.
The Climate and Terroir of the Rhône Valley Vineyards
Although Rhône Valley wines are linked by a common river and history, the strong contrast between the northern (septentrional) and southern (meridional) regions gives the vineyard two distinct faces.
In the northern part, north of Valence, the climate is temperate continental, with vineyards planted on steep slopes, and the soils are mainly composed of granite, mica-schist, and gneiss. Regarding grape varieties, the northern Rhône Valley is known for Syrah in red, producing single-varietal wines. For white grapes, Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne are predominant.
In the southern part, south of Montélimar, the climate is Mediterranean, the vineyards are refreshed by the dry and strong Mistral wind, and the soils, mainly sedimentary, are composed of limestone, clay, sand, pebbles, or molasses. Southern Rhône Valley wines are blends of a wide variety of grape varieties. For reds, we find Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Carignan, and the rarer Counoise or Muscardin. For whites, the main varieties are Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, and Uni Blanc.
The Different Appellations of the Rhône Valley
A historic region of French vineyards, ahead of its time in protecting the authenticity of its terroir, and a pioneer in the creation of AOCs, the Rhône Valley boasts a large number of appellations.
The Rhône Valley vineyard produces more than half of its wine under the regional appellations of Côtes-du-Rhône and Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, mainly in the southern part of the valley. Today, there are 29 AOCs, split between the northern and southern Rhône Valley.
Appellations of the Northern Rhône Valley
The Northern Rhône Valley has 8 prestigious communal appellations:
● AOC Château-Grillet
● AOC Condrieu
● AOC Cornas
● AOC Côte-Rôtie
● AOC Crozes-Hermitage
● AOC Hermitage
● AOC Saint-Joseph
● AOC Saint-Péray
In the northern part, the Diois region, perched on the heights of the Vercors plateau, is isolated from the rest of the vineyard. The Diois also has 4 appellations:
● AOC Châtillon-en-Diois
● AOC Clairette de Die
● AOC Crémant de Die
● AOC Coteaux de Die
Appellations of the Southern Rhône Valley
The Southern Rhône Valley has 17 appellations and 2 appellations for vin doux naturel (naturally sweet wines). These appellations include:
● AOC Vacqueyras
● AOC Clairette-de-Bellegarde
● AOC Costières-de-Nîmes
● AOC Gigondas
● AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape
● AOC Lirac
● AOC Tavel
● AOC Grignan-les-Adhémar
● AOC Ventoux
● AOC Luberon
● AOC Côtes-du-Vivarais
● AOC Pierrevert
● AOC Duché d’Uzès
● AOC Beaumes-de-Venise
● AOC Muscat-de-Beaumes-de-Venise
● AOC Vinsobres
● AOC Rasteau
● AOC Cairanne
Among the Côtes-du-Rhône Villages AOCs, 22 villages can add their geographical designation to their appellation:
● Chusclan
● Gadagne
● Laudun
● Massif d’Uchaux
● Nyons
● Plan-de-Dieu
● Puyméras
● Roaix
● Rochegude
● Rousset-les-Vignes
● Sablet
● Saint-Andéol
● Saint-Gervais
● Saint-Maurice
● Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes
● Sainte-Cécile
● Séguret
● Signargues
● Suze-la-Rousse
● Vaison-la-Romaine
● Valréas
● Visan
The Iconic Grapes of the Rhône Valley
Syrah
The most iconic grape of the Rhône Valley, particularly in the northern part, is undoubtedly Syrah. Syrah is also blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre in many southern Rhône Valley wines. It is a grape variety with intense aromas of red and black fruits, with spicy and floral notes such as pepper and violet. While Syrah can produce soft and easy-to-drink wines, it can also create powerful, concentrated wines with structured tannins capable of aging for decades.
Grenache
Grenache Noir is a warm, round, Spanish-origin grape that often dominates southern Rhône Valley wines. With notes of crushed strawberries and ripe, sometimes jammy fruit, Grenache adds charm to the wines of the southern Rhône Valley. It pairs wonderfully with other grapes like Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Carignan.
Viognier
Viognier is the essential white grape of the northern Rhône Valley, responsible for the success of prestigious appellations such as Condrieu or Château-Grillet. Viognier is even permitted (up to 20%) in the red wines of Côte-Rôtie. With its exuberant notes of apricot, peach, and white flowers, and its full-bodied texture, Viognier wines are unforgettable.
Rhône Valley Wines: The Best Food and Wine Pairings
Rhône Valley Wine with an Appetizer
With its diversity of styles and flavors, Rhône wines pair effortlessly with various appetizers. In white, nothing beats a glass of Condrieu to accompany a scallop gratin. For a country terrine or charcuterie, a round and fruity red Côtes-du-Rhône Villages is a great choice. For a summer salad, a Luberon rosé perfectly complements the fresh flavors.
Rhône Valley Wine with a Main Course
For fish in a sauce, like cod in cream, a Saint-Joseph white from Marsanne and Roussanne will envelop the dish with its creamy texture and delicate white flower notes. A bottle of Gigondas or Châteauneuf-du-Pape red pairs beautifully with the juicy, flavorful meat of a Provençal daube. For festive occasions, nothing beats game dishes like royal hare paired with an aged Cornas.
Rhône Valley Wine with Dessert
To finish a meal, Clairette de Die is a great match for an apple tart, adding a light touch. If you're more of a chocolate lover, a Rasteau vin doux naturel is the perfect partner for a chocolate fondant or a Black Forest cake.
Rhône Valley wines are emblematic of French viticulture. Discover on Avenue des Vins our exclusive selection of bottles from the best Rhône terroirs, wine estates, and appellations at affordable prices.