Rhone Valley

Rhône wines

The Rhône is France's second-largest wine-growing region. It stretches from the centre of France, south of Lyon, to the Mediterranean Sea. The region is home to many legendary appellations, named after the communes along the river. In this guide, we take a look at the region's most famous appellations, as well as its best estates and wine producers

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The Rhône wine region, France's second largest appellation

The Rhône Valley is distinguished by its vastness, the great diversity of its terroirs, the large number of grape varieties planted and the abundance of wine styles. Winegrowing in this region dates back more than 2,000 years. Ruins of vine plantations have been found as far back as the 4th century BC. Today, the annual production of this great wine-growing region reaches more than 33 million cases of wine per vintage. 6,000 wineries and vineyards contribute to this volume of production. Its 79,000 hectares of cultivated vineyards produce more than 30 different appellations d'origine contrôlée (AOC) in a total of 1,317 communes. These crus and wines are made from 27 unique grape varieties. Red wine is the most important in the Rhône Valley. The Rhône Valley vineyards are divided into 2 unequal sub-regions

-The northern region, which stretches between Vienne and Valence. The vineyards are perched on the steep slopes of the valleys and on the right and left banks of the Rhône. This part of the region produces prestigious wines such as Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Côte-Rôtie and Saint-Péray. Its production capacity is relatively small, 3% of the valley's total. It produces fine, spicy red wines from the Syrah grape and dense, full-bodied white wines from the Marsanne and Roussanne varieties. The vast majority of wines are sold by appellation. The "vins de pays" category is also used in this region.

-The southern part of the region, between the slopes of the Vivarais and Avignon, is characterised by greater production of simple wines such as Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Pierrevert, Cairanne, etc., but also includes the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. These vineyards also produce the Côte du Rhône appellation, which is tending to disappear in the northern region.

Our selection of Rhône wine appellations

The Appellation Contrôlée system was created in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 1933. Its aim is to optimise the quality of wines and certify their origin. AOCs must comply with specifications drawn up at the time. These include technical constraints in terms of growing area, vine variety, growing method, minimum alcoholic strength and harvesting period. Since then, obtaining the AOC has been linked to the quality of the wine and gives an indication of what goes into a bottle

-The Châteauneuf du Pape AOC covers 3,231 hectares and brings together more than 320 winegrowers. 250 of them produce and bottle their own wines, while the others sell their products to merchants or cooperatives. This wine-growing region produces great red wines with character. They are available in a wide range of styles, from opulent, full-bodied and sexy to refined, fresh and elegant. This type of long-ageing wine is perfect with beef, game, duck, charcuterie, seafood and more.

-The Cornas AOC covers 110 hectares of vineyards located south of Saint-Joseph and north of Saint-Péray. They produce only red wines from the Syrah grape variety. These wines are rich and powerful, with supple, ripe tannins and good ageing potential. They are perfect with starters such as lamb kebabs or dishes such as leg of lamb, grilled beef, etc.

-Côtes du Rhône: this AOC appellation is one of the most popular in France, although not one of the most prestigious. It is a vast agricultural region covering more than 31,000 ha of vineyards. These are fruity, spicy red wines that don't need ageing, although some will evolve with a few years' cellaring. This type of wine goes well with all kinds of dishes, including aperitifs, starters, meat, fish and cheese. White wines are full-bodied, round, aromatic and low in acidity. They go perfectly with asparagus, white pudding, prawns, seafood, etc.

-Côte rôtie: this is the prestigious red wine appellation produced by the parishes of Ampuis, Saint-Cyr-sur-le-Rhône and Tupin-et-Semons. This small estate covers just 119 hectares of vines on very steep slopes rising from the banks of the Rhône to an altitude of over 300 metres. Only two grape varieties are allowed in the appellation: Syrah and Voignier. These highly sought-after wines are not very pleasant to drink young. They are characterised by rich, complex aromas and concentrated flavours that develop over time into sensual, silky, exotic textures. The best wines can be aged for 3 or 4 decades or more.

-Hermitage: this appellation d'origine contrôlée is the smallest wine-growing region in the Rhône Valley, with 130 hectares of planted vines. It includes the red Syrah grape variety and two white varieties, Marsanne and Rousanne. The vineyards are owned by 6 wine merchants, one cooperative and 21 private cellars. The wines are red, full-bodied and rich, and some come from different climates. They improve after 15 to 20 years' ageing. The white wines reveal floral, toasted nut and vanilla notes. They can be kept for several decades.

-Saint-Joseph: This AOC appellation comprises over 1,200 hectares of vines and almost 115 active winegrowers spread over 26 communes. The wines are made from the red Syrah grape and two white varieties, Marsanne and Rousanne. The reds are elegant, powerful or feminine, affordable and best drunk young. Their fine or powerful character means they go well with game, duck, sausages, red meat or other oriental dishes. The whites have a subtle, elegant nose with floral notes that develop with age.

-Vacqueyras: This appellation is produced in the Vaucluse department over an area of 14 km of vines. The terroir lies around the communes of Vacqueyras and Sarrians. The red grape varieties are Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. The white wines are made from Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc and Roussanne. This AOC is characterised by red wines of varying character, balanced and fine or full and rich on the palate. They have floral notes, hints of red fruit and aromas of undergrowth. These wines go well with dishes such as roast pigeon, beef bourguignon and stewed lamb.

-Vin de Pays de Vaucluse: IGP Vaucluse is produced in the southern Rhône Valley. These are wines made from a blend of grape varieties, including Grenache, Syrah, Marselan and Merlot, or from a single grape variety. They are aromatic wines of great complexity, rich, full-bodied, supple and fresh at the same time. They go perfectly with aperitifs, poultry and fish.

The main producers of Rhône wines

The Rhône Valley produces a wide range of wines under different AOC appellations from north to south, including the sublime Hermitage, Côte Rotie and generous Châteauneuf-le-Pape wines. Here are the winemakers who are essential to the production of these wines

-Emmanuel Reynaud: This winemaker is the fourth generation of Reynaud winemakers. He replaced his father at Château de Tours in 1997 and his uncle Jacques Reynaud at Château Rayas. His lightly-coloured wines do not disappoint with their aromatic and taste profile, and reveal their sublime character after 10 or 15 years in bottle.

-Jean-Louis Chave: the Chave family has been making Saint-Joseph wines since 1481. Jean-Louis Chave is the 16th generation to run the prestigious Hermitage appellation. His wines express both power and finesse.

-Henri Bonneau: this 12th-generation winemaker is a true legend of Châteauneuf-le-Pape. He owns 6.5 hectares of vines spread over 13 different plots in this appellation. These are very expressive wines with good aromatic quality.

-Gentaz-Dervieux: this estate was also a legend in the Côte rôtie. It no longer exists, as its vines were integrated into the René Rostaing estate in the 1990s. But its wines are now very rare and sought-after.

Rhone Côte Rôtie André François Bottle (75cl)
André François Cote Rotie 2005 Bottle (75cl)

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Rhone Châteauneuf Du Pape Château de Beaucastel Bottle (75cl)
Beaucastel CDP Rouge Hommage a J Perrin 1989

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Rhone Châteauneuf Du Pape Château de Beaucastel Magnum (150cl)
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Rhone Châteauneuf Du Pape Château de Beaucastel Bottle (75cl)
Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2008

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Rhone Châteauneuf Du Pape Château de Beaucastel Bottle (75cl)
Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 1982 Bottle (75cl) SD

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Rhone Châteauneuf Du Pape Château de Beaucastel Bottle (75cl)
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Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 1982 Bouteille (75cl) ELA

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Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2003

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Rhone Châteauneuf Du Pape Château de Beaucastel Bottle (75cl)
Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2009

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Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2010

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Rhone Châteauneuf Du Pape Château de Beaucastel Magnum (150cl)
Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2011 Magnum (150cl)

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Rhone Châteauneuf Du Pape Château de Beaucastel Bottle (75cl)
Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2012 Bottle (75cl)

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Rhone Châteauneuf Du Pape Château de Beaucastel Bottle (75cl)
Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2014 Bottle (75cl)

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Rhone Châteauneuf Du Pape Château de Beaucastel Bottle (75cl)
Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2016 Bottle (75cl)

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