Collection: Buy Rhone Valley wines

The magic of the Rhone Valley

The Rhone Valley is renowned for its two-thousand-year-old winemaking history. With an area of about 70,000 hectares of vineyards, the region offers a great diversity of grape varieties, wine types, and appellations, all shaped by unique terroirs. It is divided into two distinct sub-regions : the Northern Rhone Valley and the Southern Rhone Valley. Each of these areas indeed has its own microclimate, specific soils, and characteristic grape varieties, contributing to the production of unique and captivating wines.

Grape Varieties and Appellations of the Northern Rhône Valley

The Grape Varieties of the Northern Rhône Valley

The main grape varieties of the northern Rhône Valley are Syrah, Viognier, as well as Marsanne and Roussanne. Discover their amazing characteristics below !

-Syrah : this delicious grape variety is the only possible variety for red wines of the Northern Rhône Valley. Côte Rôtie, Crozes-Hermitage, or even Saint-Joseph reds... all indeed come from the divine Syrah ! On these terroirs, it expresses itself with remarkable finesse and complexity, offering aromas of black fruits (cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant), violet, pepper, and sometimes smoky notes. Syrah produces powerful yet balanced wines with smooth tannins, capable of evolving beautifully in the bottle.

-Viognier : this indulgent white grape variety, known for its exuberant aromas of stone fruits (apricot, peach) and flowers (acacia, honeysuckle), is primarily cultivated in the Condrieu and Château-Grillet appellations. It yields rich and aromatic wines, often aged on lees to enhance their creamy texture. It is probably in this region that Viognier finds its best balance in the world.

The Marsanne and the Roussanne : these two varieties are often blended to produce balanced wines, combining roundness and freshness.Marsanne brings richness and structure, while Roussanne provides a lively acidity and floral or herbal notes. The two companions particularly shine in the white wines of the AOP Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, and Saint-Péray.

The appellations of the Northern Rhône Valley

The northern Rhône Valley is divided into eight main AOCs : Côte Rôtie, Condrieu, Château Grillet, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Cornas, and Saint-Péray. These, located on steep slopes, benefit from a unique terroir and a continental climate with Mediterranean influence.Here is their description:

-AOC Côte Rôtie : located in the north of the valley, on steep slopes with soils composed of schist, mica-schist, and granite, this AOP exclusively produces reds based on Syrah, which can sometimes be blended with a little Viognier (up to 20%). The wines are elegant, complex, and characterized by aromas of black fruits, violet, as well as spicy and smoky notes. The domaine Stéphane Ogier is a very reliable choice in this area.

-Condrieu : located downstream of Côte-Rôtie, along the Rhône, this AOP offers only white wine made from the Viognier grape variety. The cuvées here are rich and aromatic, expressing notes of apricot, peach, white flowers, and sometimes sweet spices. Here, the soils are mainly granitic. Turn to the cuvées from the domaine Pierre Gaillard to explore the area !

-Château-Grillet : this micro-appellation is actually a monopoly bearing the name of the estate. It is nestled within Condrieu and exclusively offers white wines made from Viognier. The château's bottles are rare and highly sought after. Each vintage expresses great finesse and aromas of citrus, stone fruits, as well as a unique minerality.

-Saint-Joseph : located on the right bank of the Rhône, from Chavanay to Guilherand-Granges, the AOP Saint-Joseph produces red wines made from Syrah as well as whites from Marsanne and Roussanne. The reds are varied, ranging from light and fruity to more complex, with aromas of red fruits, spices, and a nice freshness. The whites, on the other hand, are floral, balanced, and elegant. The soils here are granitic and often evolve on steep slopes. Taste the delicious wines from domaine de Boisseyt to approach this appellation in the best possible way !

-Hermitage : this iconic hill is located on the left bank of the Rhône, near Tain-l’Hermitage. The wines produced here are mainly red (Syrah) but some whites based on Marsanne and Roussanne are also made in the vineyard. The reds are powerful, complex, and suitable for long aging, with aromas of black fruits, spices, leather, and sometimes truffle. The white wines, on the other hand, are rich and opulent, evolving towards notes of dried fruits, honey, and flowers. The soils themselves are varied, ranging from granite to limestone, including rolled pebbles.

-Crozes-Hermitage: located around l’Hermitage, this AOC is nevertheless much larger. The appellation mainly produces reds based on Syrah but also some white wines based on Marsanne and Roussanne. The reds are more accessible and fruity than those of Hermitage, with aromas of red and black fruits, often accompanied by peppery notes. The whites are fresh and aromatic, perfect for quicker consumption. Here, the terroir is also varied with pebbles, but also clay-limestone. The domaine des Hauts Châssis produces, for example, magnificent cuvées, perfect reflections of their appellation.

-Cornas : less known to the general public, this small appellation is located on the right bank of the Rhône, near Valence, and exclusively produces red wine based on Syrah. This wine is robust, concentrated, and expresses aromas of black fruits, spices, and licorice. The bottles often require a few years to soften and express their full richness. The soils here are mainly granitic.

-Saint-Péray : located near Cornas, this appellation mainly offers white wines based on Marsanne and Roussanne. These wines are fine and elegant, revealing notes of citrus, white flowers, and a beautiful freshness. A little-known fact, some sparkling wines are also produced using the traditional method in the AOP. The soils here are limestone and granitic.

Grape Varieties and Appellations of the Southern Rhône Valley

The southern Rhône Valley stretches from the south of Montélimar to the border with Provence and Languedoc, skirting the left bank of the Rhône to the Mediterranean Sea. This vast region thrives under a Mediterranean climate and is composed of a large number of appellations as well as a great diversity of grapes and wine styles. Let's explore the main varieties and AOP to remember!

The Grape Varieties of the Southern Rhône Valley

-Black Grenache: it is the king red grape variety of the southern Rhône. Indeed, it is the heart of many appellations, notably Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, or Côtes du Rhône.It gives fleshy, round wines, often spicy, with aromas of ripe red fruits, licorice, and pepper. It is a grape variety highly appreciated for blends.

-Syrah : although Syrah is more prevalent in the northern Rhône Valley, it also plays an important role in the south, particularly in AOCs like Côtes du Rhône Villages and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It brings spicy and floral notes to blends, as well as a fine tannic structure.

-Mourvèdre : Mourvèdre is a secondary but essential grape variety in several appellations of the southern Rhône Valley like Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Lirac, or Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It provides structure, tannins, aromatic complexity (notes of black fruits, leather, spices) and a good aging potential.

-Cinsault : Cinsault is often used in blends for its lightness and fruity aromas. It is also used in the production of rosés, notably in AOCs like Tavel and Lirac. This grape variety produces fresh, aromatic, and easy-to-drink wines.

-White Grenache : it is the most planted white grape variety in the southern part of the Rhône Valley . Rarely vinified alone, it offers a rich, indulgent texture as well as aromas of white fruits (pear, apple), citrus, and sometimes floral notes.

Other white varieties are also present in this part of the vineyard, such as Viognier, Clairette, Marsanne, and Roussanne, each variety bringing its aromatic potential and structure.

The appellations of the Southern Rhône Valley

-Châteauneuf-du-Pape: it is probably the most well-known appellation in this part of the French vineyard. Here, more than 13 varieties are allowed, but Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre are the main ones. Red wines represent the majority of the production and are powerful, complex, evoking aromas of black fruits, spices, garrigue, and a great aging potential. The whites, rarer, are rich and aromatic. The terroir here is varied between the iconic rolled pebbles but also clay-limestone and sandy. Côtes du Rhône: this AOC, often confused with the very name of the region "Rhône Valley", forms the basis of regional wines and is primarily located in the southern part of the vineyard. Here, the predominant grapes are, once again, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre. The terroirs of Côtes du Rhône produce fruity, spicy red wines that are often pleasant in their youth, but also fresh and aromatic whites and rosés. The Côtes du Rhône Villages wines are generally of higher quality, offering more structured cuvées.Given the size of the vineyard, the soils are also very varied, including clay, limestone, and sandy soils.

-Gigondas: Gigondas offers powerful and spicy red wines, with aromas of black fruits, garrigue, and sometimes licorice. They are generally very well-structured and suitable for aging. The main varieties are, here too, the "GSM" grape varieties. The terroir is mainly clay-limestone on steep slopes.

-Vacqueyras : similar to Gigondas, Vacqueyras offers generous red wines, well-balanced between fruitiness and spices, with soft tannins and a beautiful length on the palate. The same grape varieties are also used, and the soils consist of clay, limestone, and rolled pebbles.

-Lirac and Tavel : Tavel is famous for its powerful and complex rosés, while Lirac produces reds (mainly based on Grenache) and fresh, fruity whites. The soils are primarily clay-limestone and rolled pebbles.

-Beaumes-de-Venise : Beaumes-de-Venise is best known for its rich and elegant red wines, but also for its sweet and aromatic muscat, produced in the same appellation.

An amazing diversity

As you may have understood, the varied terroirs of the entire Rhône Valley offeran incredible diversity of possibilities, allowing producers to play with varieties and winemaking techniques to create captivating wines. Thus, whether you wish to explore the graceful Syrah of the Northern Rhône Valley or indulge in the powerful wines  and generous wines of the south, the region will charm you with its diversity and its exceptional quality.

Delivery of your Rhône Valley wines

Whether you prefer an elegant red wine from the northern Rhône Valley or a rich and creamy white wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, we guarantee that all the bottles offered on our site are in real stock and carefully stored in our cellars underideal storage conditions.

Furthermore, to accommodate your schedule, at La Cave Éclairée, we offer delivery to a pick-up point as well as home delivery in standard or express for those in a hurry. Finally, whether you order a single bottle or several cases, we take the same care in preparing your package.

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