Rhône Valley, from north to south

To the north, Syrah…

They’re often referred to simply as “Rhône wines”, and yet Rhône is actually divided into two very distinct zones. Rhône North, which begins primarily in Valence and extends all the way to Vienna, is, in terms of reds, a huge producer of Syrah.

To the south, Grenache…

Reds from the south (between Avignon and Montélimar), account for 90% of Rhône’s wine production. The region is renowned for its Grenache Noir, which is often blended with Syrah and Mourvèdre, as well as its secondary cepages, such as Cinsault and Carignan.

Different climates

The Mediterranean influence is especially prominent in the south, in appellations such as Châteauneuf-du-pape, Gigondas and Vacqueyras. In the northern half, home to beautiful grape varieties such as Côte-Rôtie and Hermitages, the climate is a bit more unpredictable, and the effect on vintages is felt more frequently.

Second after Bordeaux

Rhône Valley is both beautiful and vast! With its 26 appellations, more than 5,000 wine producers and 27 cepages, Rhône is the second largest winemaking region in France. It produces mostly reds (80% of total production), but also some whites (6%) and, of course, rosé (14%), including the well-loved Tavel. Rhône is also a big supporter of organic agriculture. In fact, it is the second biggest producer of organic wine in France, with Languedoc-Roussillon coming in first.