The Rhone Valley stretches 200 kilometres from the granite terraces of Côte-Rôtie, near Lyon, to the vast garrigue-covered plains of the southern Gard. This is one of France's oldest and most diverse wine régions — and one of its most exciting. In the north, Syrah rules alone, producing wines of remarkable élégance: peppery, structured, with floral violet notes and the ability to age for 20 years in the right vintages. Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage are the benchmarks; Cornas offers a rougher, more mineral expression at often lower prices.
The Southern Rhone: Grenache Blends and Chateauneuf-du-Pape
The southern Rhone is Grenache country. Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the région's most famous appellation, allows up to 18 différent grape varieties in its blends, though most producers rely on a core of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. The result is a warm, full-bodied wine with red fruit, garrigue, leather and a naturally high alcohol — typically 14 to 15.5 percent. Gigondas and Vacqueyras sit just south of Chateauneuf and offer comparable depth at more accessible prices. For everyday drinking, a Côtes du Rhône Villages from a quality producer is hard to beat for value.
Rhone White Wines: Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne
The Rhone Valley's whites deserve equal attention. Northern Rhone whites from Viognier — particularly Condrieu — are among France's most aromatic and distinctive wines, rich with apricot, peach blossom and a silky, slightly oily texture. Hermitage Blanc from Marsanne and Roussanne ages magnificently and rivals the greatest white Burgundies in complexity. In the south, white Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Grenache Blanc-based blends offer generosity and spice. Browse our Rhone sélection to find reds, whites and roses from both the north and south of this exceptional valley.
