France · AOCs
Rhône
Two valleys in one — steep Syrah terraces in the north, sun-baked Grenache blends in the south.
The Rhône runs from Lyon to the Provençal sun, and the wines split sharply with it. North: single-variety Syrah on near-vertical granite, perfumed Viognier whites. South: warm, broad, pebbly land where Grenache leads big Mediterranean blends, crowned by Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The Mistral wind dries and protects the vines throughout. ~66,000 ha.
The big pebbles store daytime heat for the vines at night.
ClimateContinental (north) to Mediterranean (south); Mistral wind
Altitude100–400 m
Grapes
Syrah, Viognier, Grenache Noir, Roussanne, Marsanne, Carignan, Bourboulenc, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris
Soils
GraniteSchistGalets roulés (Pebbles)Clay-LimetsoneSand
Châteauneuf-du-Pape allows up to 13 grape varieties in the blend.
Explore Rhône
