The Rhône Valley

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  • Region in Southern France is situated in the Rhône river valley
  • Generally divided into two sub-regions: 

 

The Northern Rhône (referred to in French as Rhône septentrienal)

  • Produce red wines from the Syrah grape, sometimes blended with white wine grapes, and white wines from Viognier grapes
  • Characterized by a continental climate with harsh winters but warm summers
  • Overall, slightly cooler that Southern Rhône
  • Grapes grown on steep terraces above Rhône River
  • Syrah is the only red grape variety permitted in red AOC wines from this sub-region (may be blended with white wine grapes, either Viognier or Marsanne and Roussanne)
  • For wines bearing the Cornas AOC designation, Syrah must be used exclusively
  • From north to south the appellations in the northern Rhône are:
    • Côte-Rôtie AOC – reds are Syrah and up to 20% Viognier
    • Condrieu AOC – whites are Viognier only
    • Château-Grillet AOC – whites are Viognier only
    • Saint-Joseph AOC – reds are Syrah and up to 10% Marsanne and Roussanne; whites are only Marsanne and Roussanne
    • Crozes-Hermitage AOC – reds are Syrah and up to 15% Marsanne and Roussanne; whites are only Marsanne and Roussanne
    • Hermitage AOC – reds of Syrah and up to 15% Marsanne and Roussanne; whites of only Marsanne and Roussanne
    • Cornas AOC – reds of Syrah only
    • Saint-Péray AOC – sparkling and still whites of only Marsanne and Roussanne

 

The Southern Rhône (in French Rhône méridional) 

  • Has a more Mediterranean climate with milder winters and hot summers
  • Use of large pebbles around the bases of the vines to absorb the heat of the sun during the day to keep the vines warm at night
  • Grapes blended into southern Rhône reds may include Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault (but Grenache is king here)
  • Whites may include Ugni Blanc, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Clairette and Viognier
  • Southern Rhône appellations:
    • Côtes du Vivarais AOC
    • Côtes du Rhône AOC
    • Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC
    • Coteaux du Tricastin AOC
    • Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC (blend up to 13 varieties , most add Mourvedre and Cinsault, some are 100% Grenache
    • Vacqueyras AOC
    • Rasteau AOC
    • Gigondas AOC
    • Beaumes de Venise AOC
    • Tavel AOC

 

  • Côtes du Rhône AOC is an AOC that covers both the northern and southern sub-regions of Rhône
  • Almost all Côtes du Rhône AOC is produced in southern Rhône( the main regional appellation)
  • Red Côtes du Rhône is usually dominated by Grenache

 

Classifications:

  • Côtes du Rhône:
  • Lowest classification for Rhône AOC wine
  • Only displays the region, and may be used in the entire wine region

 

  • Côtes du Rhône-Villages:
  • Higher minimum requirement for grape maturity than basic Côtes du Rhône (therefore a higher classification)
  • Appellation does not allow the village name to be displayed

 

  • Côtes du Rhône-Villages together with village name :
  • Allowed for 19 communes
  • Next higher designation

 

  • Cru :
  • 15 named appellations which display only the name of the cru, and not Côtes du Rhône
  • Include the most famous Rhône wines, such as Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie and Châteuneuf-du-Pape
  • No official classification differentiating between different crus
  • Sometimes individual vineyard are displayed on the labels
  • Vineyard-labeled wines enjoy no different official status from other cru wines