Rhone Valley ExplorationPosted on 28th August 2024

Exploring the Rhône Wine Region:A Journey Through France's Diverse Terroirs

The Rhône Valley, one of France’s most celebrated wine regions, stretches from the city of Lyon in the north to the Mediterranean coast in the south. This diverse region, renowned for its rich history and distinctive terroirs, offers a stunning array of wines that range from powerful reds to delicate whites and everything in between. In this blog post, we'll explore the specificities of the Rhône Valley, its various appellations, and the key differences that make each unique.

The Rhône Valley is typically divided into two distinct sub-regions:the Northern Rhône and the Southern Rhône. Each sub-region has its own climate, grape varieties, and wine styles, reflecting the diversity that characterizes the Rhône as a whole.

Northern Rhône:The Land of Syrah

The Northern Rhône is known for its steep, terraced vineyards that cling to the hillsides along the Rhône River. The climate here is cooler, with a continental influence that brings hot summers and cold winters. This climate, combined with the region's granitic and schist soils, provides the perfect environment for the Syrah grape, which is the dominant variety in this part of the valley.

Key Appellations of the Northern Rhône:

Côte-Rôtie:Known as the "roasted slope" due to its sun-drenched vineyards, Côte-Rôtie produces some of the most elegant and aromatic Syrah wines in the world. These wines are often blended with a small percentage of Viognier, a white grape that adds floral notes and softens the tannins.

Try : Cote Rotie, Seigneur de Maugiron, Delas Freres

Crozes-Hermitage:Surrounding the Hermitage hill, Crozes-Hermitage offers more accessible and affordable wines that still capture the essence of the Northern Rhône. The wines here can be both red (Syrah) and white (Marsanne and Roussanne), with reds typically being more fruit-forward and approachable.

Try :Crozes Hermitage, Les Launes, Delas Freres

Saint-Joseph:Once considered lesser in comparison to its neighbours, Saint-Joseph has gained recognition for its quality Syrah, which tends to be lighter and more delicate than those from Côte-Rôtie or Hermitage.

Try :Saint Joseph, Les Challeys, Delas Freres

Condrieu:This small appellation is dedicated to producing white wines from the Viognier grape. Condrieu wines are highly aromatic, with notes of peach, apricot, and honeysuckle, and a rich, almost oily texture.

Try :Condrieu, La Galopine, Delas Freres

Southern Rhône:A Mosaic of Varieties

The Southern Rhône is much larger and more diverse than its northern counterpart. The climate here is Mediterranean, characterized by hot summers, mild winters, and the famous mistral wind, which helps to keep the vineyards dry and disease-free. The soils vary widely, from limestone and clay to sandy alluvial deposits, which contributes to the complexity of the wines produced.

In contrast to the Northern Rhône's focus on Syrah, the Southern Rhône is known for its blends, primarily based on Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, often referred to as GSM blends. These wines are typically more fruit-forward and approachable, though some can age beautifully.

Key Appellations of the Southern Rhône:

Châteauneuf-du-Pape:The flagship appellation of the Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is famous for its rich, full-bodied red wines, which can be made from up to 13 different grape varieties, although Grenache often dominates. The best wines from this appellation are complex and age-worthy, with flavours of dark fruit, herbs (often referred to as "garrigue"), and spices.

Try :Chateauneuf du Pape, Piedlong - 2016 ;  Chateauneuf du Pape, Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe - 2016

Gigondas:Often considered a "mini Châteauneuf-du-Pape," Gigondas produces robust reds, mainly from Grenache, with Syrah and Mourvèdre adding structure and depth. These wines are known for their spicy, earthy character and excellent aging potential.

Try :Gigondas, Domaine St Gayan ; Gigondas, Domaine Les Pallieres

Vacqueyras:Located next to Gigondas, Vacqueyras is another appellation that offers bold red wines, though they tend to be a bit more rustic and less polished than those from Gigondas or Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wines here are often value-driven, offering great quality for the price.

Try :Vacqueyras, Domaine des Genets, Delas Freres

Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages:These broader appellations cover a wide area and produce a range of red, white, and rosé wines. Côtes du Rhône Villages wines come from specific villages that have been recognized for their higher quality, and they often offer excellent value and character.

Try :Cotes du Rhone Blanc, Chateau St Roch ; Cotes du Rhone, Le Petit Maxime ; Cotes du Rhone Villages, Chateau la Gardine

Côtes du Ventoux:The wines made in the Ventoux appellation are very similar to those of the Côtes du Rhône and employ much the same combination of grape varieties. The style is overall one of lighter, fruit-driven wines, compared with wines from neighbouring regions which reflects the increased altitude and slightly cooler climate the Mont Ventoux provides.

Try :Cotes du Ventoux, Delas Freres

A quick recap of the differences between North and South

While the Rhône Valley as a whole is celebrated for its diversity, the differences between the Northern and Southern Rhône are particularly striking:

Grape Varieties:The Northern Rhône is dominated by Syrah for reds and Viognier for whites, while the Southern Rhône is known for its blends, primarily based on Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre for reds, and a mix of white varieties like Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Roussanne.

Wine Styles:Northern Rhône wines tend to be more structured, with higher acidity and tannins, making them excellent candidates for aging. Southern Rhône wines, on the other hand, are often more approachable in their youth, with a fruitier and spicier profile.

Climate and Terroir:The cooler, continental climate of the Northern Rhône contrasts with the warm, Mediterranean climate of the Southern Rhône, leading to different growing conditions and, consequently, different wine characteristics.

Aging Potential:While both regions produce wines that can age, Northern Rhône wines, especially from appellations like Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie, are known for their exceptional longevity. Southern Rhône wines, particularly from Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas, can also age well, but often display their best qualities a bit earlier.

It would be remiss to talk about the Rhone wines and not mention a house we’re very proud to distribute :Delas Freres. Founded in 1835, it is one of the most esteemed wine houses in the Rhône Valley, known for its exceptional wines that embody the region's rich terroir. Over nearly two centuries, Delas Frères has built a reputation for crafting high-quality wines, particularly from the prestigious appellations of the Northern Rhône, such as Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Saint-Joseph.

The winery is renowned for its meticulous approach to winemaking, focusing on expressing the unique characteristics of each vineyard site. Delas Frères produces a range of wines, including powerful and age-worthy reds, elegant whites, and refined rosés, all reflecting the distinctiveness of the Rhône Valley.

In recent decades, Delas Frères has undergone significant modernization while maintaining its traditional roots, allowing it to continue producing wines that are celebrated worldwide for their balance, complexity, and authenticity.