Your Guide to the

Southern & Northern Rhône Wine Regions

We summarized the differences between the Southern and Northern Rhône Valley in our beginner’s guide, but now let’s dig into the top appellations and get a deeper understanding of this historic wine region.

Southern Rhône Appellations

The Southern Rhône, with its hot, dry climate, is renowned for its fruit-forward, full-bodied wines.  A major difference between the southern and northern Rhône Valley is the extensive use of grape blends in the south. While there are 13 different gapes that can make up a Southern Rhône wine, the primary red grape varieties are Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre (widely called simply ‘GSM blends’). 

Grenache is a versatile grape that can be used to make both light and full-bodied wines. Syrah is a grape that is known for its dark fruit flavors and its ability to age well. Mourvèdre is a grape that adds structure and complexity to red wines.

The specific blend of grape varieties used in a Southern Rhône red wine will depend on the winemaker’s style and the particular terroir of the vineyard. The blend will also be affected by the age of the vines, the yield per vine, and the winemaking techniques used.

6 of the most prominent wine appellations of the

Southern Rhône Valley

Châteauneuf-du-Pape:

Perhaps the most famous wine from the Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a robust, full-bodied red wine predominantly made from Grenache, along with a blend of up to 13 other grape varieties such as Syrah and Mourvèdre. This wine is often characterized by its robust structure, ripe berry fruit flavors, and complex spicy notes.

Gigondas:

This red wine is also primarily made from Grenache, complemented by Syrah and Mourvèdre. Gigondas wines are typically bold and powerful, with flavors of ripe dark fruit, spice, and a distinct earthy quality.
While Châteauneuf-du-Pape can get very pricey, you’ll be able to find Gigondas in the US for around 25% less than its more expensive cousin. 

Vacqueyras:

Similar to Gigondas, Vacqueyras wines are Grenache-dominant blends that often include Syrah and Mourvèdre. They tend to have a bit more elegance and freshness compared to their neighbors, with plenty of ripe fruit, spice, and a hint of minerality.

Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages:

Here’s where we think the Southern Rhône shines. These are general designations for wines produced across the region. Côtes du Rhône wines can offer excellent value, often delivering plenty of ripe, juicy fruit flavors, mild tannins, and a smooth finish. The “Villages” designation denotes a higher quality tier, with more concentration and complexity in the wines.

There are 22 ‘village’ designations, and the wine label will show the village name along with the “Côtes du Rhône” appellation.  Cairanne, Rasteau, Sablet, Seguret, and Valreas are some of the top village names to know.

To be considered for this higher tier of Côtes du Rhône Village wine, producers are required to adhere to stricter standards of grape growing and winemaking than those in the Côtes du Rhône wines. 

Tavel:

Tavel is best known for its rosé wines, but some producers also make red wines. They are usually Grenache-dominant and can show a fascinating mix of ripe fruit, spice, and herbal flavors. Tavel rosés differ from the nearby Provence rosés with a  deeper color, deeper fruit flavors, and a more rounded body.

Lirac:

Across the Rhône River from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Lirac produces both red and rosé wines, mainly from Grenache, with Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cinsault often in the blend. Lirac reds are known for their deep color, bold fruit flavors, and soft, generous texture.

The white wines of the Southern Rhône are typically made from a blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Clairette. Most of the Blanc wines will produce a full-bodied and fruity wine with flavors of citrus, white flowers, and honey.

Each appellation highlights a certain wine style and showcases the terroir of the Southern Rhône. The warm Mediterranean climate of Southern Rhône gives us a variety of wines: from fruity and easy-drinking rosés to rich, full-bodied whites, and complex, intense reds.

Northern Rhône Appellations

The Northern Rhône region of France produces some of the world’s most iconic and distinctive red wines, predominantly from the Syrah grape. Unlike its southern counterpart, which is known for blends, Northern Rhône focuses primarily on single-varietal wines.

The  Syrah-based red wines of the Northern Rhône are typically full-bodied and flavorful, with flavors of black fruits, spices, and earth. They can be aged for many years, and they often develop complex flavors over time.

5 of the most prominent wine appellations of the

Northern Rhône Valley

Côte-Rôtie:

Translated as “roasted slope,” this region’s wines are some of the most prestigious Syrah wines in the world. Often, a small proportion (up to 20%) of Viognier, a white grape, is co-fermented with Syrah, which contributes an aromatic lift to the wine. Côte Rôtie wines are known for their remarkable depth, complexity, and longevity, often displaying flavors of dark fruit, smoked meat, and black pepper, with a distinctive floral note from the Viognier.

Hermitage:

Hermitage produces powerful, full-bodied red wines from Syrah that are known for their potential to age for decades. The wines often have intense flavors of black fruit, leather, and spice, with firm tannins that soften over time. Occasionally, small amounts of the white grapes Marsanne and Roussanne may be included in the blend.

Cornas:

Cornas is unique in the Northern Rhône as it is the only appellation that mandates its red wines be 100% Syrah. Cornas wines are typically robust and full-bodied, with flavors of dark berry fruit, spice, and earthy undertones. With age, they can develop complex notes of leather and game.

Saint-Joseph:

Saint-Joseph wines can range from lighter, more approachable styles, to more full-bodied, intense examples. Made from Syrah, often with a small addition of white grapes, these wines typically exhibit black fruit flavors, along with floral and spicy notes.

Crozes-Hermitage:

As the largest appellation in the Northern Rhône, the style of red wines from Crozes-Hermitage can vary significantly. Generally, they are made from Syrah and are often more approachable and less tannic than some of their Northern Rhône counterparts. They typically display flavors of dark fruit, spice, and sometimes a smoky, earthy quality.

Each of the wines from the Northern Rhône highlights the essence of the Syrah grape in its own unique way. From the aromatic, complex wines of Côte Rôtie to the bold, full-bodied wines of Cornas, the Northern Rhône offers a captivating exploration of Syrah for any red wine lover.

Need an itinerary?

Get inspired with this 5-Day Rhône Wine Tasting Itinerary.