Rhône: Wine from the border region

Whether Hermitage, Côte Rôtie or Condrieu in the north or Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas or Tavel in the south - the Vallée du Rhône shines with great names and even greater wines. No wonder it was the first French wine-growing region to receive a protected designation of origin. But the wines were already very popular many centuries before. Rhône wines were already enjoyed at the papal court in Avignon in the Middle Ages.

Rhône wines have a tradition

Quite apart from the fact that the first French regulation on the protection of origin was introduced in the Rhône in the mid-17th century. This was long before today's appellation system was introduced. Back then, winegrowers on the left southern bank of the Rhône were allowed to label their barrels with a seal bearing the abbreviation “CDR” - for Côte du Rhône. Yes, Côte. Singular. Because the right bank was only added in the middle of the 19th century, making it Côtes du Rhône. In other words, the wine that still determines the production volume on the Rhône today.

And then there are the many crus, some of which have their own appellation status. Quite apart from the two climatic and geographical faces that the Rhône shows us. Which is also reflected in the wines. That's why we'll start with the basics of geography and climate before moving on to the appellations and their wines.

Rhône: Good to know

Rhône: Geography and climate

The Massif Central on one bank, the foothills of the Alps on the other. And in between? The Rhône! With a length of 800 kilometers, it is one of the world's great rivers. However, only 200 kilometers of the river are relevant for viticulture. Namely the section between Vienne and Avignon. Here, the 66,407 hectares of vineyards are located on the sometimes steep, sometimes gentle slopes on both banks of the Rhône. While the slopes in the north can be particularly steep and rugged, the south is somewhat more homogeneous. Only the cold Mistral wind coming from the north seems to unite the two areas. While the north has a more continental climate with hot summers and bitterly cold winters, the south is dominated by a Mediterranean climate. The soils are similarly contrasting. Granite and slate dominate in the north, gravel, sand and clay in the south.

Rhône sub-areas

It is precisely because the northern and southern Rhône are so different that people like to separate the two when taking a closer look at Rhône wines. Simply because they are far too different due to their geography and climate. Quite apart from the fact that the grape varieties are also highly contrasting. In the northern Rhône, for example, Syrah is the only officially approved red grape variety. The most important white wine varieties here are Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier. Only just under 10% of all Rhône wines are produced in the north.

The remaining 90% comes from the south, which is also more heterogeneous. The main grape variety here is Grenache, flanked by Syrah and eleven other red grape varieties such as Carignan, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Eight white grapes such as Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche and Uni Blanc complete the range of grape varieties in the southern Rhône. While single stakes are still frequently used on the steep slopes in the north, the wire frame variety dominates in the south.

Rhône wines in detail

Classification of Rhône wines

In general, a distinction is made in the Rhône between IGP (Indication géographique protégée = protected geographical indication) and AOP (Appellation d'origine protégee = protected designation of origin). Some of the AOPs are also recognized as Crus, which can quickly lead to confusion. That's why we've put together a compact overview for you.

IGP wines of the Rhône in alphabetical order

• Bouches-du-Rhône
• Collines Rhodaniennes
• Coteaux Flaviens
• Coteaux de l'Ardèche
• Mediterranee
• Vaucluse

AOP wines from the Rhône including cru status

• Beaumes-de-Venise (Cru)
• Côtes du Vivarais
• Côtes du Rhone Villages
• Hermitage (Cru)
• Clairette de Die
• Crémant de Die
• Côtes du Rhone
• Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Cru)
• Gigondas (Cru)
• Côte Rôtie (Cru)
• Rasteau (Cru)
• Tavel (Cru)
• Condrieu (Cru)
• Cornas (Cru)
• Saint Joseph (Cru)
• Crozes-Hermitage (Cru)
• Vacqueyras (Cru)
• Côtes du Ventoux
• Côtes du Luberon
• Chateau-Grillet
• Coteaux de Pierrevert
• Coteaux du Tricastin
• Lirac (Cru)
• Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
• Saint-Péray (Cru)
• Grignan-les-Adhémar
• Luberon
• Ventoux
• Vinsobres (Cru)
• Costières de Nîmes
• Cairanne
• Duché d'Uzès
• Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet
• Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas
• Chatillon en Diois
• Coteaux de Die

Rhône wine styles

Just a few years ago, 90% of Rhône wines were red. This has now changed. In 2023, the winegrowers produced 74% red wines. Rosés are in second place with 14% - closely followed by white wines with 12%. Sparkling wines are also included here. Generally speaking, it is difficult to lump the wines of the Rhône together. On the one hand, this is due to the starkly different conditions in the north and south, and on the other, of course, to the permitted grape varieties, which also differ.

In general, however, it can be said that Rhône wines are generally high in alcohol and intense. Due to global warming, the ever-increasing alcohol content in particular is a problem that wineries are now specifically addressing. Red Rhône wines usually have a lot of tannin and can age for a little while. They are also ideal accompaniments for stews, especially in the fall and winter. The white wines are as rich as they are intense, although there are also smoother variants that are well suited as summer wines. You can find a more detailed look at the different wine styles directly under the appellations.

Rhône: Wine as an economic factor

Like Bordeaux, the Rhône region is a guarantee for intense and full-bodied wines. And that is precisely the problem economically at the moment. All over the world, wine customers are now demanding leaner and lighter wines with less alcohol. What's more, white wine consumption is on the rise, while the Rhône mainly produces red wines.

But the Rhône is responding to this. While the production of red wines and rosés has been decreasing since 2019, the number of white wines produced is increasing. In addition, the marketing of the wines generally focuses on Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages, which are not quite as intense and alcoholic. And with a combined 57%, they now make up the largest volume of Rhône wine. It is interesting to note that 62% of the wine produced is marketed as cask wine. 33% is marketed as bottled wines. 5% fresh grapes complete the sale.

However, the Rhône is now also struggling with sales difficulties. The export volume fell by 10% between 2022 and 2023. The value of goods traded also fell by 10%. Due to the large volume of trade, this has not yet plunged the Rhône into crisis. But the winegrowers' association has recognized the signs. The targeted marketing of Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages and the increase in white wine production are just three of the many adjustments that are currently being made to make Rhône wines more attractive on the world market.

Your selling points for Rhône wines

• Intense and full-bodied wines
• Crus with a lot of prestige
• Everyday wines with excellent value for money
• Wide stylistic range: from character head to palate flatterer to charmer
• France's oldest wine region
• Perfect autumn and winter wines