RHÔNE VALLEY

READING BETWEEN THE WINES:

Although the Rhône Valley is recognized for its feisty, peppery red wines — probably the north’s Hermitage is its best known — it claims some white and rosé wines too. Because the north and south ends of the valley are geographically and climatically different, the Rhône holds a very assorted mix of vineyards.

THE REGION

The Rhône Valley sits in southeast France and is split into Northern Rhône and Southern Rhône. Almost 90% of the wines come from the southern areas but the northern areas create the best quality wines.

Some of the major appellations in the region are Côte Rôtie, Hermitage, Condrieu, Châteauneuf du Pape, and Côtes du Rhône.

The North

Côte Rôtie

Côte Rôtie produces one of the best wines from the Rhône Valley. It is located in the northern section of the valley along the steep, sloping hillsides. The wine is made from the Syrah grape and can age very well.

Hermitage

This is the other fine wine from the northern part of the valley. Like Côte Rôtie, this too is made from the Syrah grape. Although sharing many similarities to the Côte Rôtie, Hermitage is decidedly richer and more complex. This wine is heavily tannic and is even better at aging than the Côte Rôtie. There is also a small amount of white Hermitage which is produced from the marsanne and the Roussanne grapes.

Expect to pay dearly for the best producers from these two classic regions.

Condrieu

Condrieu, the other white wine from the north, is made using the Viognier grape. Viognier offers apricot and peach flavors with a flowery aroma and the best having a touch of spice. Don't try to age this wine though, it is meant to be consumed in its youth.

The South

Châteauneuf du Pape

This is the most prestigious area of southern Rhône. Châteauneuf du Pape produces both a red and a white wine but by far more red is made than white. Both are made with a blend of grapes. The red can contain as many as 13 different types of grapes, but the Grenache, Syrah and the Mourvèdre are the major players.

Côtes du Rhône

This is a large area with many villages making everything from whites to rosés to reds. Since there are so many producers in the area, quality is not very consistent. The best advice is to stay away from the most inexpensive wines from this area. The best examples are great, but may be hard for the novice to find.

THE GRAPES

For the most part, Northern Rhône makes big on their Syrah wines and Southern Rhône shows off its Grenache wines. However, there are several other grape varieties bustling around off center stage.

Rhône Reds:

Grenache

Oops, there goes another Grenache grape plant! That’s right. This grape is probably the most planted red grape in the world and its essence falls into a good plenty of big jug table wines. Its top-notch productivity, resistance to heat, and lofty alcohol content make it a top grower and a must-have addition for sweet, luscious wines.

Syrah

This rugged grape is the base grape for Northern Rhône reds and a mixer grape in Southern Rhône. Syrahs are easy to work with and have the stamina to hold their own in the vineyards. Syrah contributes to bold red wines, peppered with fragrant raspberry or violet.

Carignan

Wanna new jug? Well, odds are when you get one, it’ll be made from the juice of this grape. This bearer of heat, but not of damp, the Carignan adds fun puckery flavor to several respectable wine blends.

Mourvèdre

This bluish juicy grape’s been around awhile and it only gets better with age. The Mourvèdre brings the gift of delectable blackberry tastes and smells to deep, steadfast wines.

Rhône Whites:

Clairette

This touchy little berry thrives in the more Mediterranean climates of southern Rhône but can be hard to maintain. The Clairette’s sweet and high-yielding alcohol content produces several of the area’s light and fruity whites and rosés.

Grenache Blanc

A grape with a golden hay complexion, the Granache Blanc falls fourth in the list of popularly planted vines in France. Full of green apple aromas and flavors, this hardy grape and its elevated alcohol content can result in crisp and fruity wines.

Ugni Blanc

The pervasive Ugni Blanc is the base of a number of dry whites and even many Cognacs. High in acidity even after ripening, this grape delivers intensity and citrus flavors to many white wines.

Various Rhône Valley Producers:

References

www.terroir-france.com
www.tastings.com
www.epicurious.com

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