The Southern Rhône Valley is renowned for producing an eclectic palate of wine styles, ranging from the powerful and generous red wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to the fragrant rosé of Tavel.

Taking just a sip of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or perhaps Gigondas, can evoke intense evocations of the endless olive groves, almond trees and Roman ruins. It is a potent combination of history, landscape and viticulture that continues to seduce travellers from all corners of the earth. If you love French wine, then it is worth taking the time to get acquainted with the Southern Rhône.

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History of the southern Rhône region

The Rhône valley has been a centre of viticulture for many centuries. It is believed that cultivated vines were planted in approximately 600 BC. The Romans controlled the region until the collapse of the Western Empire in the 5th century. During their occupation, winegrowing promulgated across the southern Rhône, spreading in all directions from the Roman settlement Avignon.

The Southern ‘s most famous appellation, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, means ‘The Pope’s New Castle’. Pope Clement V moved to Avignon in 1309 and this was the catalyst for reigniting the Rhône Valley. By the late 1300s, vast amounts of land in the southern Rhône wine region were given over to vines. Successive Popes to Southern Rhône ensured continual growth of the wine region. In the 17th Century, the Côste du Rhône administrative region outlined regulations for wine production to guarantee regional quality. The wine district was renamed Côtes du Rhône in the mid-19th Century; it remains one of France’s most popular wine regions to this present day.

Geography and terroir

The Rhône Valley wine region is situated in southeast France. Vineyard sites are found on both banks of the Rhône River. The valley is divided into Northern and Southern sub-regions. The climate, topography and terroir of these two viticultural areas is very different.

The Southern Rhône, unlike Northern Rhône, enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and increasingly dry and hot summers. Long periods of drought between June-September can put real stress on the vines, due to the shortage of water. Yet the Southern Rhône is also regularly subject to the famous Mistral winds from the northwest, cooling the vine canopy. The geographical boundaries of the French wine region run from Montelimar to Avignon. There are over 58,000 hectares under vine, producing approximately 95% of the total volume made in the Rhône Valley every year.

In terms of soils, certain parts of the southern valley have vineyards full of the iconic galets rolés (giant pebbles) of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, while other appellations boast a sandy terroir. There are also alluvial, clay and limestone soils in certain appellations. Likewise, the wine region is noted for the abundance of garrigue—wild herbs that cover the landscape. Garrigue imbues local Rhône wines with distinct herbal scents.

Although most vineyard sites are planted on relatively flat terrain, the limestone peaks of Mount Ventoux are an exception. With some vineyards rising to 600 metres above sea level, there is a significant diurnal temperature variation here. As a result, the grapes mature at a slower rate, ensuring that acidity and freshness in the grapes is maintained. On the right bank of the river, the Côtes du Vivarais appellation is also renowned for producing lighter wines, due to the cooler micro-climate of the zone.

Elsewhere, temperatures can reach over 40 degrees during the height of the summer. Therefore, it is little surprise that many oenophiles associate the Southern Rhône with very fruit-forward and concentrated wines. Grenache Noir is the dominant red grape variety of the area, a variety that will ripen to become deeply concentrated if conditions allow.

Although ripeness comes very easily to growers in the Southern Rhône, there is a pleasing diversity of style. There are some delectable white wines made in cooler terroirs, where producers are attaining more freshness and balance in their red wine. Others prefer to emphasise alcoholic strength, weight and ripeness. The Southern Rhône remains one of France’s most heterogeneous regions, in terms of both quality and style.

Appellations of Southern Rhône

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

This is the Southern Rhône’s most famous export. There are approximately 3,200 hectares under vine in the appellation, encompassing a diverse range of soils including galets roulés, limestone and sand. Over 90% of the production is red wine, which varies hugely in price.

Mono-varietal red wines are extremely rare. Three grapes typically form the backbone of red Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. The resulting Rhône Valley wine style is often rich and powerful, with ripe tannins and voluptuous mouthfeel. It shines at the dinner table, particularly if red meat is involved.

Côtes du Rhône AOC

In terms of volume, this is the most important appellation in the Rhône Valley. It is not restricted to one geographical area. Red, rosé and white wine from over 170 villages in the Rhône (north and south) can be labelled as Côtes du Rhône. Introduced in 1937, the appellation was created to provide a catch-all designation for Côtes du Rhône wines made in the region’s less prestigious viticultural areas. There are over 30,000 hectares of vineyards producing Côtes du Rhône AOC wine, inevitably ranging in value. Terroir and style vary greatly, although red wines made in the Southern Rhône are typically GSM blends (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre). Generally open and accessible in their youth, they’re often characterised by intense flavours of garrigue, plum, red berries and eucalyptus. Other grape varieties permitted in the red wines include Carignan, Cinsault, Terret Noir and Picpoul Noir.

There are also some exceptional white wines marketed under the appellation banner. Once again, varietal blending is the cornerstone of white Côtes du Rhône. Growers have a wide viticultural palate to choose from, including the Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Viognier grape varieties. The best examples are utterly delicious; full-bodied white wines with aromas of citrus, honeysuckle, apricots and thyme.

Côtes du Rhône-Villages

Rhône Wine produced under the auspices of the Côtes du Rhône-Villages appellation is among the best value in Europe. There are just over 9000 hectares of vineyard sites producing red, white and rosé styles, attached to 95 communes. The appellation imposes stricter rules on growers than the Côtes du Rhône designation, particularly regarding grape yield. Only 22 out of the 95 communes eligible for marketing their wines under the framework have the right to append their names to the appellation title. For example, winegrowers in Visan can label their products as ‘Visan Côtes du Rhône-Villages’.

The majority of red wines place Grenache at the heart of the blend, with smaller amounts of the Mourvèdre and Syrah grape. Côtes du Rhône-Village blanc generally relies on Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier and Grenache Blanc, the most common white grapes of the wine region. Expect concentrated, spicy red wines and voluptuous, full-bodied whites.

Gigondas

Gigondas village was promoted the Côtes du Rhône-Villages designation in 1971 and awarded its own appellation in recognition of the superior terroir. Red wines must contain a minimum of 80% Grenache according to the appellation rules. Once again, Syrah and Mourvèdre are usually added to enhance structure and contribute acidity. A minimum abv of 12.5% is required for any bottle labelled as Gigondas.

The relatively high altitude vineyards encourage a slow rate of ripening and calcareous soils, the Rhône wine of Gigondas is often characterised by good acidity, freshness and balance in the final wine. Although many growers still like to blend grape varieties, 100% Grenache wines are becoming more common. A great example of Gigondas merges the potency of Châteauneuf-du-Pape with the finesse of Ventoux.

Tavel

Head southwest from Châteauneuf-du-Pape and you’ll discover a unique and much-loved appellation. Only rosé wines are made in Tavel, predominantly blends of the Grenache, Clariette and Syrah grape varieties. The Mediterranean climate and warm sandy terroir ensure that achieving high levels of phenolic ripeness in Tavel is virtually guaranteed. As a result, the local style has traditionally been very robust, spicy and full-bodied. The standard practice was to leave the juice in contact with the skins for a long period (compared to other rosé regions), ensuring a deeper colour and greater extraction of tannin and flavour. Certain producers have rejected this in the 21st century, making rosé wines in the Provencal style: light, fresh and pale. Other growers refuse to abandon their traditions. Suffice it to say, both styles have their merits.

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