WineRegionsOld WorldFranceRhone
Often called the Cotes du Rhone Meridionales, the Southern Rhone Valleydoes not really begin to emerge until one reaches the old Roman city ofOrange, which is 60 miles south of Valence. The differences in climate andgeography are striking between the Northern and Southern Rhone, as are theresulting wines,
The topography here reflects a much drier, hotter, breezier Mediterraneanclimate than the North. The soils are far more stone-laden, and the vineyardsthat dot the vast landscape are usually located on slightly undulating hillsand plains. An almost provincial picture is apparent where many herbs, olivetrees, and fruit orchards are planted.
Most of the wines are blends of grape varieties, in contrast to the Syrahinfluence of the Northern Rhone. The leading variety is often the hearty,deeply colored Grenache grapes. This grape produces ripe, alcoholic, fruitywines that can yield considerable character when production is strictlycurtailed. Other grapes commonly used are the spicy Syrah, Mourvedre (addingcolor, structure and complexity) and Cinsault (contributing aromatic depthand acidity). Less commonly encountered are the Counoise, Muscardin, Terretand Vaccarese varieties. With such an assortment of grapes available. itis no wander that the type and style of each producer's wine in the SouthernRhone can vary enormously, depending on the percentage of a particular grapeused in the blend.
The Southern Rhone is a fertile region for producing tremendous varietyand value in French wine, with a consistent and favorable climate. It hasbecome the most dependable source of serious, sumptuous, and pleasure-givingwines produced in the world.
Rhone wines and varietals have grown inpopularityRasteau
Tavel
Beaumes de Venise
Chateauneuf du Pape
Lirac
Gigondas
Vacquoyras
Cotes du Ventoux
Costieres de Nimes
Cotes du Rhone
Cotes du Rhone (Drome)
Cotes du Rhone (Vaucluse)
Cotes du Rhone (Gard)