Rhone
Strong reds, intense whites and charming rosés – that's what the French Rhône wine region is known for. Some of the most legendary wines come from here, and they couldn't be more different. As is the case in the Bourgogne, this region also has a winemaking tradition stemming from Roman times.
The best Rhone wines
The Rhone region has two specific sections with their own character. The northernmost part has vineyards close to the river Rhone, whereas the southern part has its vineyards dozens of miles away from the river banks. As is the case in the Bourgogne, this region also has a winemaking tradition stemming from Roman times.
The northern Rhône is mainly known for its Côte-Rôtie, Cornas, and Hermitage wines. Some of the greatest wines in the world are made here. The southern part is known mainly for Côte du Rhone and Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines.
There is a great variety of grapes in the Rhône, of which the Shiraz, Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèrde, Muscat, Viognier, Marsanne, and Rousanne are best known.
The history of Rhone wines
As is the case in Burgundy, this region also has a winemaking tradition stemming from Roman times. Roman cultivation efforts, including the renowned papal vineyard under Pope Clement V in Avignon as well as Greek and Roman influences enriched winemaking over 2,000 years ago, shaping terraced vineyards and ensuring viticulture's continuity post the Roman Empire's decline.
Pope Clement V's vineyard expansions in 1309 led to the birth of Côtes du Rhône wines, enduring even after the papacy's return to Rome in 1378. Despite challenges like the 19th-century phylloxera outbreak, the region persisted, culminating in the formal recognition of Côtes du Rhône as an (AOC) in 1937, solidifying its esteemed status. The subsequent establishment of Côtes du Rhône Villages (AOC) in 1967 further highlighted the region's winemaking heritage.
Where exactly is the Rhône wine region?
It is not without reason that the French wine region is named after the Rhône river. After all, it extends over about 200 kilometres along its banks from Vienne in the north to Avignon in the south. In total, the wine-growing area covers 71,000 hectares of vineyards. At this point, things get a little complicated. Because the Rhône region is divided into two very different areas. The northern Rhône is the smaller wine-growing area. Here, very steep and sometimes very barren slopes dominate. The northern Rhône is home to well-known appellations such as Côte-Rôtie, Cornas, Hermitage and Saint-Joseph.
The southern Rhône is not quite as rugged and has significantly more vineyard area. It is also significantly warmer here than in the north. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is by far the most famous appellation in the southern Rhône, although Gigondas is now also increasingly in the spotlight. Incidentally, there is a wine that bridges the gap between north and south and unites both areas: Côtes du Rhône. Namely, the Côtes du Rhône. The vineyards authorised for these enchanting everyday wines are located in both Rhône areas. The same also applies to the quality level above - the Côtes du Rhône Villages.
Which grapes are grown in the Rhône region?
In principle, the following distinction applies to the Rhône: while Syrah is the big star in the northern Rhône, Grenache dominates in the south. In fact, however, there is a much greater variety of grape varieties. In the north, for example, it has long been common practice to blend Syrah with a small proportion of the white grape variety Viognier in order to stabilise the wine's colour and also its taste. In addition, the two white grapes Marsanne and Roussanne are used to create characterful and very intense white wines.
In the southern Rhône, a large proportion of the vineyards are planted with Grenache, but Syrah is also very common. Other red grapes include Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault, to name just a few. For a Châteauneuf-du-Pape alone, no fewer than 13 grape varieties are permitted. The grape variety is therefore much greater here. In addition to Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne, the white grape varieties also include grapes such as Grenache Blanc, Clairette or Bourboulenc.
Climate and soils in the Rhône region
As you may have guessed, there are also some significant differences between the northern and southern Rhône. In the north, for example, a continental climate with Mediterranean influences prevails. The legendary Mistral wind can blow particularly icy here. This is precisely why most of the vines are located on slopes protected from the wind. In the south, on the other hand, a Mediterranean climate with mostly very hot summers dominates. The Mistral also blows here. However, the winegrowers hardly need to protect the vines from it. On the contrary, without it the grapes would literally be overcooked on the hot summer days. So while the mistral is more of a curse in the northern Rhône, it is a real blessing in the southern Rhône.
The soils also differ greatly. In the north, granite and slate are the main types of soil found. Both types of soil bring a lot of minerality to the wines. In the south, on the other hand, sand and clay are very common. These soils produce full-bodied and powerful wines. Then there are the characteristic white pebbles, which are found mainly in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They store heat during the day and release it at night. This is exactly what makes for incredibly intense wines.
What does a Rhône wine taste like?
The wines cannot be categorised by taste because the northern and southern Rhône are so very different from each other. But they can be grouped very well. A Syrah from the northern Rhône not only shines with strong fruity notes of blackberries or dark plums, but also with spicy hints of black pepper, black olives and herbs. Some wines also have impressive mineral accents. The red wines from the southern Rhône are usually stronger and more intense. Here, the fruit notes tend to be more prominent, although a wonderful herbal spiciness can also be found in them. Since the wines from the south are mostly cuvées, they are even more complex and multi-layered.
The white wines are generally intense and score points with a floral aroma and a fresh structure. Incidentally, this applies to white wines from both north and south. In the southern Rhône, the Tavel appellation is also a hotspot for aromatic and easily accessible rosé wines.
What food goes well with Rhône wines?
If you want to serve a Rhône wine with a meal, the red varieties are best when the food on your plate is a little more intense and spicy. Braised lamb, game of all kinds or steaks in all variations, for example, go extremely well with them. However, please note that Rhône reds often have a fairly high alcohol content. So, if you are serving several courses, it is not necessarily a good idea to serve them at the beginning.
Rhône white wines are an excellent accompaniment to strongly flavoured fish dishes, such as a grilled sea bream stuffed with herbs. However, medium-strong cheeses are also a very good accompaniment. If you are serving a Mediterranean salad or ratatouille with couscous, we recommend a rosé wine from the Rhône to go with it. This combination is simply unbeatable.
What are the best wines from the Rhone?
The best wines from the Rhone come from two areas: the Northern Rhone (hermitage) and the Southern Rhone (Chateauneuf du Pape). The question of what is the best wine is of course a personal and depends on the taste. But also whether it is a white or red wine, The best producers or the producers best known for their quality wines include Chapoutier, Jaboulet Aine, Guigal, Henri Bonneau, Clos de Caillou and Rayas..
Wine producers
Classifications of Rhone wines
There are more than 30 different AOC appellations in the Rhône region, of which the following three are among the best-known wine regions:
- The Côtes du Rhône (AOC): represents villages recognized for exceptional wine quality. To bear the label of this AOC, rose and red wines require minimal 40% blend with Grenache. Which is doubled regarding white wines, but can range between specific grape varieties, which are Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Bourboulenc.
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape (AOC): allows up to 19 grape varieties. Nearby regions permit even more varieties. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the wine of which the Rhone Valley is especially known for but is also celebrated as the premier red wine of the Southern Rhône.
- Gigondas (AOC): mainly features Grenache Noir, along with a small number of other allowed varietals.