Wines - Rhone

The Rhône wine region of southern France is home to the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage wines. The region is known for its flavourful and aromatic red wines, but its floral white wines packed with sun-kissed fruit flavours are a delight, too. Explore our full range of Rhône wines below. 

Rhône wines are some of the most remarkable and distinguished wines in France. The Rhône valley is divided into two distinct areas - the Northern Rhône starts just south of Vienne and stretches to Valence where it produces red wines from the single noble variety, Syrah. The Northern Rhône appellations of Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie and Cornas are full-bodied and have fantastic ageing potential while lighter, forward-style Rhône reds such as Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph can serve as more affordable alternatives. Three grapes, Viognier (notably at Condrieu and Château Grillet), Marsanne and Roussanne, are responsible for the white wines which, like the reds, are rich and full.

In between the Northern and Southern Rhône two characterful appellations offer affordable value – the Ardèche and Brézème. The former has a huge range of soils, aspects and altitudes which rise from the Ardèche river to the heights of Mont-Mézenc. This wide range of landscapes permits a huge variety of grapes to be grown and ensures its wines remain relatively affordable. In contrast, Brézème sits in the Drôme valley and at one point in the 19th century, its wines were said to rival Hermitage to the north. Dominated by vertiginous slopes, its wines echo Côte-Rotie and Hermitage in style using Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne.

The Southern Rhône, which stretches from Valence into Provence (near Avignon) and south to the Camargue estuary and Costières de Nîmes, is flatter, hotter and wetter than the north and the wines are blended with an array of grapes. In Châteauneuf-du-Pape itself, up to 13 grape varieties are permitted. Grenache dominates the red wine production and is usually combined with Syrah and Mourvèdre (sometimes enlivened by Cinsault and up to 10% Carignan). Whereas the whites, from the same grapes as wines in the Northern Rhône, plus Clairette, Grenache Blanc, and Piquepoul are increasing in production and popularity.