📍 Rhône Valley

The Rhône Valley is a wine region of France along the River Rhône, from Vienne in the north to Avignon in the south. It splits into two parts of different character: the Northern Rhône and the Southern Rhône. In the north the slopes are steep and granite, and the vineyards narrow. Syrah grows here for reds and Viognier for whites. Known names include Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Cornas. In the south the climate is Mediterranean, hotter and drier. Blends of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre play the main role. A famous name is Châteauneuf-du-Pape. White grapes of the south include Roussanne and Marsanne. The widest category is Côtes du Rhône, which covers most of the region. The valley also has sparkling wines: Crémant de Die and Clairette de Die from the Drôme. Further south lie the Ardèche and the Comté Rhodanien with country wine. The Rhône has a long history: the Romans already grew grapes here. Wines of the valley are widely known around the world.