FRANCE’S RHÔNE VALLEY WINE REGION
The Southern Rhône, Mont Ventoux
Photo source: Winekeller
Our suggestions for exploring France’s Rhône Valley wine region:
France’s Rhône Valley wine region: an introduction
The Rhône Valley in Southern France is the country’s second largest wine region, producing some 400 million bottles of wine per year.
Vineyards flourish on each side of the magnificent River Rhône which stretches for some 400km in France, flowing from the Swiss border to the Mediterranean. The Rhône wine region officially starts some 30km south of the City of Lyon and ends in the beautiful Camargue nature reserve where the Rhône flows into the Mediterranean.
Although commonly referred to as the Rhône or Rhône Valley wine region, it is actually made up of 2 very distinct and unequal-sized sub-wine regions. The Northern Rhône stretches south for about 90km, from Lyon down to Valence and produces just 5% of Rhône wines, however what they do produce is more prestigious than in Southern Rhône, a much larger geographical area, except of course for the very famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape - see below!
Visiting the Rhône Valley there is evidence everywhere of its long wine history - in fact vines have been cultivated here for over 2000 years, first by the ancient Greeks and then the ancient Romans. This incredible history, along with the wines, the southern french cuisine and the sunny climates makes the Rhône Valley a perfect wine tourism destination!
French wine map
Vineyards in the Luberon
Châteauneuf-du Pape
Crozes-Hermitage
Condrieu vineyards
Rhône wines
Due to the differences in climate, grape varieties and terroir in these 2 sub-regions, the Rhône Valley wine region is said to offer the widest range of wine styles of any of the world’s wine regions. Overall, approximately 80% of Rhône wines are red, however increasingly more excellent Rhône whites and rosés are now being produced and over 25 different grape varieties can be grown here.
Northern Rhône:
Northern Rhône wine map
The climate in the smaller Northern region is cooler and wetter than in the Southern Rhône and the majority of the vineyards are planted on steep granite hillsides in view of the Rhône river.
Northern Rhône wines
In terms of red wine, there is only one grape varietal permitted and that is Syrah.
The red wines here are fresher, with more acidity and crucially, need time to age to fully express themselves, due to the cooler climate and the grape varietal.
When they’re ready to drink, Northern Rhône red wines can be incredibly powerful, complex yet elegant, with aromas and flavours of perfumed, ripe, black fruits and pepper.
The permitted Northern Rhône white grape varieties are Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. These are permitted as single varietals and can also be used in blends with Syrah in some appellations.
Southern Rhône:
Southern Rhône wine map
Some of the best value wines - of all colours, but mainly red - come from Southern Rhône. The climate is more Mediterranean, hot and dry with cooling Mistral winds. The vineyards are spread over flatter land, with rocky, sandy soils and large pebbles called ‘galets’, which retain the heat of the day and warm the vines at night.
Southern Rhône wines
Some 20 different grape varieties are grown in Southern Rhône and the blending of grapes is permitted, but it’s the red wine grape, Grenache which has defined the main style of wine in this region.
Southern Rhône wines can be higher in alcohol, jammy, fruity and spicy and, unlike Northern Rhône wines, can be enjoyed young. Other red wine grapes include Syrah and Mourvèdre.
The Southern Rhône also produces, in increasing quantities, highly popular, fruity, white and rosé wines, made to be drunk young. White wine grapes include Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Clairette.
Old red vines - Costières de Nîmes
'Galets' - pebbles in Southern Rhône
Famous Côte Rotie vineyards
Vineyards of Northern Rhône
Rhône Valley appellations
There are somewhere between 35-40 Rhône ‘appellations’ or AOCs in total.
Côtes du Rhône wine:
The basic appellation is familiar to most, ‘Côtes du Rhône’ and together with the superior ‘Côtes du Rhône-Villages’ they make up 50% of the whole Rhône Valley’s wine production. The bulk of this however comes from Southern Rhône.
Northern Rhône appellations:
Northern Rhône wines include some of the most famous wines in the world. These wines are produced in small numbers and are highly sought after, fetching high prices. Côte Rotie, from just over 100 hectares of vineyards are the stars of Northern Rhône. However this region produces many glorious wines, up there with the great French Bordeaux and Burgundies.
Crozes-Hermitage AOC - Syrah, Marsanne & Roussanne
Hermitage AOC - Syrah reds, Marsanne & Roussanne
Cornas AOC - Syrah
Saint-Péray AOC - Marsanne and Roussanne white/sparkling
Côte-Rôtie AOC - Syrah
Condrieu AOC - Viognier
Château-Grillet AOC - Viognier
Saint-Joseph AOC - Syrah red, Marsanne & Roussanne
Southern Rhône appellations:
The southern Rhône's most famous red wine is Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a blend containing multiple grape varieties, from vineyards in a large area north of Avignon. The Southern Rhône is producing some excellent wines and with the variety of terroirs in this large region, there are many different styles, but overall they represent excellent value for money. Southern Rhône appellations include:
Ventoux AOC
Luberon AOC
Costières de Nîmes AOC
Beaumes de Venise AOC
Muscat de Beaumes de Venise AOC (Vins Doux Naturels)
Tavel AOC
Vinsobres AOC
Duché d’Uzès AOC
Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
Grignan-Les Adhemar AOC
Vacqueyras AOC
Rasteau AOC
Cairanne AOC
Gigondas AOC
Côtes du Vivarais AOC
Lirac AOC
Gigondas vineyards & the beautiful village of Sablet in Southern Rhône
Photo source: Winekeller
Recommended Rhône Valley vineyards and wineries
See vineyard and winery recommendations in each blog.
Visiting the Rhône Valley - Travel guide and other useful information
The Rhône Valley wine region spans some 140 miles north to south from Lyon to Avignon and incorporates an incredible variety of landscapes and scenic and historic attractions as well as a variety of wines. So the message here is, don’t try to do it all in one go! Take your time to appreciate it all and do areas at a time! See our blogs for ideas how to split up your visits.
When to visit the Rhone Valley
The peak of the Rhône Valley travel season lasts from June to September. Summers can get very hot, especially in the Southern Rhône, so a good time to visit is April or May, when temperatures are still mild and the crowds are less!
The Rhône Valley is also busy in the Winter, given the easy access to skiing in the Alps.
From Lyon to the Mediterranean is also one of Europe’s major historic communication routes, representing the fastest way to get from north to south - and as such the main routes, especially the A7 motorway and the N7 ‘Route du Soleil’, can get very busy.
Getting to the Rhône Valley
Lyon St. Exupéry airport has good connections throughout Europe and Lyon is just 2hrs by TGV train from Paris.
In terms of driving, Lyon is centrally placed and well served by road links. If you are driving from the north of France, avoid Paris by way of Reims and Dijon, giving you a great opportunity to see a bit of Champagne and Burgundy too!
Following the Côtes du Rhône wine route in Southern Rhône
Planning a wine holiday in the Rhône Valley
The Rhône Valley isn’t just ‘wine country’, it’s also the perfect destination for a sunshine holiday getaway and Southern Rhône especially is the gateway to dream holiday destinations, including Provence.
Northern Rhône:
Visiting the Northern Rhône region has to be all about its world-famous vineyards and famous wines. Enjoy driving along the narrow river valley and admiring the steep vineyard covered slopes and make sure you stop off for some tastings!!
Perhaps spend time in Lyon first, France’s second largest city, then pass through the pretty town of Vienne, with its medieval and Roman remains. Carry onto the charming city of Valance - known as the gateway to the South of France.
Just west of the Rhône Valley is the stunning Ardèche Valley, where you can drive through the gorge and see the spectacular sites including the famous Pont d'Arc natural bridge over the river Ardèche and the Caverne du Pont d'Arc, with its unique cave paintings.
A lovely way to explore the Ardèche is by scenic railway - round trips depart from Tournon-sur-Rhône, near Valance.
Visit Montélimar, famed for its nougat, in Drôme, one of the prettiest départements in France, covered in vineyards and lavender fields (bloom late June/July) and well worth an explore! Visit the lovely village of Grignan and its 17th century Château de Grignan.
Vienne and its Roman remains
Pont d’Arc in the Ardèche
Southern Rhône:
As you venture south into the Southern Rhône wine region, explore the western side of the Rhône into the département of Gard or the eastern side and the vast département of Vaucluse.
Vaucluse is real Provence country and home to many of the Southern Rhône wine appellations and beautiful places to visit. Just east of the city of Orange, the home of Côtes du Rhône wines, take time to visit the famous villages and vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Cairanne, Rasteau, Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise.
Further east discover the spectacular Mont Ventoux, at 1912metres high - the land of Ventoux wines, black truffles and lavender!
South of Orange and still in Vaucluse, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the ancient city of Avignon - the ‘City of the Popes’. Visit the historic city centre, the Pope’s Palace and of course its famous bridge!
Head further south-east and visit the beautiful hilltop villages of the Luberon, the gateway to Provence, made famous by the author Peter Mayle, who made his home here and charmed his readers about the Provençal way of life.
West of Avignon takes you into Gard - visit the beautiful Roman cities of Arles and Nîmes and the natural wonder that is the Camargue - 1500 sq km of Rhône Delta and home to incredible landscapes, coastline and wildlife. Gard is the home of Costière de Nîmes wines, robust wines influenced by the much hotter and more Mediterranean climate in this part of the western Rhône Valley.
For more information visit ‘About France’ and ‘Avignon-et-Provence’.
The Palais des Papes in Avignon
Beautiful Ménerbes in the Luberon - Peter Mayle country
Rasteau and Cairanne - two Southern Rhône appellations - may not be as well known as their neighbours, but they produce some excellent, exciting wines! What better way to discover these lovely villages and their wines, in Southern France’s Vaucluse region, than by bike?