The Rhone Valley is renowned for its production of red wines made from the Syrah grape. The northern region primarily produces wines from this grape, while the south produces wines from Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre grapes. The Rhone's wines are robust and rustic, and have been gaining popularity since the 1980s.
The Rhone Valley is divided by the river from which it gets its name, with the most famous names in the north being Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage. The Viognier, an interesting white grape, is produced in the Condrieu area, where the smallest AOC area in France, Château-Grillet, is located.
The two areas of the Rhone Valley not only represent a geographical division but also differentiate two styles of wine production. Wines in the north are typically monovitigno, while in the south, the assemblage of more grapes prevails. The renowned "Southern" wine Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 13 different red and white grapes. The region produces a high variety of grapes, with 11 main white and 10 black varieties, as well as numerous lesser-known ones.
The Rhone Valley is recognized as an AOC (the French equivalent of the Italian DOC) wine area, with 7 main denominations in the north and 7 in the south. The northern region has more rainfall, is greener, and has a climate more favorable to vine growth, making it the concentration point for 90% of the best-known wines. The hill of Hermitage is particularly noteworthy for producing the best wines.
Rosé wines are also worth mentioning, with a unique blend of white and black grapes. Although the law allows a maximum of 20% of other grape varieties, producers typically use only 5% to give the wine unique aromas. The hotter and brighter climate of the south produces fuller-bodied and more complex wines.
Finally, the symbolic wine of the Rhône Valley, Château Grillet, deserves special recognition for its great aromatic complexity, snobbish appeal, and aging potential!