Côte du Rhône (Rhône Valley)

Côte du Rhône is a key wine region in the south of France.

The region stretches from Lyon in the north to Avignon in the south, encompassing a variety of climates, soils, and grape varieties. This diversity results in a wide array of wine styles, from robust reds and aromatic whites to luscious rosés.

The Rhône Valley is traditionally divided into two parts: the Northern Rhône and the Southern Rhône, each with its unique characteristics and appellations.

Côtes du Rhône AOC

Côtes du Rhône AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) is a wine region in the Rhône region of France.

There are two main Côtes du Rhône regions:

• Côtes du Rhône South (Méridional).
• Côtes du Rhône North (Septentrional).

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Côtes du Rhône North

The Northern Rhône is best known for its steep slopes and the use of the Syrah grape for red wines.

The Grapes

The vines are cultivated on very steep slopes, where the grapes are manually picked and transported in hillside trolleys (which of course, adds to the price).

Syrah is the only red grape allowed in the Northern Rhône.

The white grapes allowed in Northern Rhône are:

• Viognier
  Allowed in Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie

• Roussanne
  Allowed in Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Saint-Péray

• Marsanne
  Allowed in Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Saint-Péray

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The Climate

The climate is moderate continental, with cold winters and warm summers. Temperature is notably cooler than in Southern Rhône. The climate, combined with the granite soil, contributes to the intensity and complexity of the wines.

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The Northern Rhône Appelation

The appelation strethes from the city of Vienne in the north to the city of Valence in the south.

Northern Rhône has 8 AOCs (Appellations d'Origine Contrôlée).

From north to south :

• Côte-Rôtie (AOC in 1940)
• Condrieu (AOC in 1940)
• Château-Grillet (Single estate AOC in 1936)
• Saint-Joseph (AOC in 1956)
• Hermitage (AOC in 1937)
• Crozes-Hermitage (AOC in 1952)
• Cornas (AOC in 1938)
• Saint-Péray (AOC in 1936)

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Côte-Rôtie (AOC in 1940)

Côte-Rôtie is the northernmost appellation in the Rhône Valley, only a few miles from Lyon. It is famous for its elegant and powerful red wines made from Syrah blended with a small percentage of Viognier.

Côte-Rôtie wines are grown, produced and matured by the “Centurie de Probus”, a group of about 100 winemakers who look after the vineyards in their 60 estates.

The wines show incredible elegance of full-body aroma and extraordinarily fine tannins, with an elegant nose of spice, red and black berries and violets.

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Condrieu

Condrieu is famous for its aromatic and rich white wines made from 100% Viognier.

The wines are big, vibrant, rich, with an oily texture that is a Viognier signature.

The terraces of Condrieu are made up of granite, shale, and clay. The soil imparts aromas of peach and apricot to the Viogniers from Condrieu.

Château-Grillet

Château-Grillet has only one owner. It was officially recognised in 1976 as a French National Heritage Site, singled out for outstanding beauty and rich history.

The wine production is 100% Viognier.

Saint-Joseph

Saint-Joseph is known for both red wines (Syrah) and white wines (Marsanne and Roussanne). offering more accessible prices of Northern Rhône's wine style.

The vineyards of Saint-Joseph were planted by the Greeks and later maintained by the Romans, who saw the potential in the steep slopes on the right bank of the Rhône.

Hermitage

Hermitage produces both red wines (Syrah) and white wines (Marsanne and Roussanne) that are considered among the best in the Rhône.

Crozes-Hermitage

Crozes-Hermitage is known offering more accessible examples of Northern Rhône's wines, both red (from Syrah) and white wines (from Roussanne and Marsanne), Crozes-Hermitage reds are elegant, well-balanced and easy-drinking.

Coronas

Coronas only authorised grape variety is Syrah. Syrah expresses its full strength and power in Coronas terroir. Steep, Southeast-facing slopes form a natural amphitheatre, protecting the vines from cold winds.

Saint-Peray

Saint-Peray AOC is located in the southernmost part of Northern Rhône. The appellation is very small and not widely known. The production is mainly white sparkling wine, from Marsanne and Roussanne grapes.

Côtes du Rhône North