The Rhone wine region is located in southeastern France. It runs along the Rhone River roughly from Lyon in the north to Avignon in the south. It is divided into two main sub-regions: the Northern Rhone, running from Lyon to Montelimar, and the Southern Rhone, from Montelimar to Avignon. Although wines of all color are made, both regions are most famous for thier red wine. The Northern Rhone is known for its full-bodied red wines made from Syrah grapes with the possible inclusion of some white grapes, while the Southern Rhone is known for its blends of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre grapes. The region has a long history of wine production, dating back to the ancient Romans with the sites of some former Roman vineyards being replanted surrounding the town of Vienne.
The Rhône Valley utilizes red grapes like Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne are the mainstays for white wines. The Northern Rhône is famous for full-bodied Syrah-based reds like Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie, while Condrieu exemplifies their Viognier whites. In contrast, the Southern Rhône is dominated by red blends of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, with Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas as notable examples. While white wines are also produced in the Southern Rhône, they play a secondary role. These white wines are typically blends that may include Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, and other authorized grapes depending on the specific appellation.
The Rhône Valley utilizes red grapes like Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne are the mainstays for white wines. The Northern Rhône is famous for full-bodied Syrah-based reds like Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie, while Condrieu exemplifies their Viognier whites. In contrast, the Southern Rhône is dominated by red blends of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, with Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas as notable examples. While white wines are also produced in the Southern Rhône, they play a secondary role. These white wines are typically blends that may include Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, and other authorized grapes depending on the specific appellation.
The Rhône region is home to the Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation, encompassing numerous villages across the region. Wineries within qualified villages are allowed to add their village name to the Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation, indicating a higher level of quality and specificity compared to the basic Côtes du Rhône designation.