France

Rhône Valley

Eastern France, following the Rhône river from Lyon south to Avignon and the Mediterranean.

Northern section is continental with cool winds; the southern section is Provençal, hot and dry with the famous Mistral wind.

The Rhône Valley is France's most generous and diverse red-wine river. It divides cleanly into two: the steep granite north, where Syrah reigns supreme in appellations like Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, Saint-Joseph and Cornas; and the broad, stony south, where Grenache leads blends including the celebrated Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The Rhône is also home to superlative white wines (notably Viognier from Condrieu) and today delivers some of the best value in fine French wine, especially from lesser-known appellations.

For the buyer it is a forgiving region: even modest Côtes du Rhône is reliable, and the top appellations reward cellaring handsomely.

Terroir & Soil

The northern granite terraces of Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage; the flat, stony, alluvial plains and galets roulés (rolled stones) of the south.

What to Expect from the Wines

  • · Northern Rhône is Syrah at its most serious - peppery, floral, mineral, built to age (Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, Cornas).
  • · Southern Rhône is the land of Grenache-Mourvèdre-Syrah blends, heady and sun-drenched (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas).
  • · White Rhône blends of Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne are rich, aromatic and underappreciated.

Remarkable Bottles from Rhône Valley

All wines →
red

Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Rhône Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an red wine from France, in the Rhône Valley region (Eastern France, following the Rhône river from Lyon south to Avignon and the Mediterranean.), made principally from Grenache. The benchmark organic Châteauneuf, famous for its unusually high Mourvèdre component and complex aromatics.

$110–$200 est. retail

red

E. Guigal La Landonne

Rhône Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

E. Guigal La Landonne is an red wine from France, in the Rhône Valley region (Eastern France, following the Rhône river from Lyon south to Avignon and the Mediterranean.), made principally from Shiraz. One of Guigal's three legendary single-vineyard Côte-Rôtie 'la-la's' — a profound, near-black 100% Syrah.

$350–$650 est. retail

red

M. Chapoutier L'Ermite Hermitage

Rhône Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

M. Chapoutier L'Ermite Hermitage is an red wine from France, in the Rhône Valley region (Eastern France, following the Rhône river from Lyon south to Avignon and the Mediterranean.), made principally from Shiraz. Biodynamic Hermitage from the hill of the Pilgrim — one of the Northern Rhône's most complete wines.

$300–$550 est. retail

white

E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane

Rhône Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane is an white wine from France, in the Rhône Valley region (Eastern France, following the Rhône river from Lyon south to Avignon and the Mediterranean.), made principally from Viognier. A barrel-fermented Viognier benchmark from steep terraces above the Rhône — opulent yet precise.

$130–$220 est. retail

red

Rhône Valley Shiraz

Rhône Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Rhône Valley Shiraz is an red wine from France, in the Rhône Valley region (Eastern France, following the Rhône river from Lyon south to Avignon and the Mediterranean.), made principally from Shiraz. a house-style Rhône Valley shiraz that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

red

Rhône Valley Grenache

Rhône Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Rhône Valley Grenache is an red wine from France, in the Rhône Valley region (Eastern France, following the Rhône river from Lyon south to Avignon and the Mediterranean.), made principally from Grenache. a house-style Rhône Valley grenache that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

Food Pairing

  • · Peppery northern Rhône Syrah loves roast lamb, boeuf bourguignon and game.
  • · Southern blends pair superbly with braised beef, charcuterie, cassoulet and rich tomato-based stews.
  • · White Rhône is delicious with roast chicken, creamy sauces and white fish.

Buying from Rhône Valley

  • › Gigondas and Vacqueyras are the value alternatives to Châteauneuf-du-Pape - same sun, better prices.
  • › Northern Rhône Syrah rewards age: look for Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie from top producers in good vintages.
  • › Cornas and Saint-Joseph offer the most approachable serious northern Rhône Syrah in both price and character.