The Rhone is one of France’s most important wine regions. Divided into two separate zones, the north is probably the most prestigious. It is home to the appellations of Condrieu, Côte Rôtie, St. Joseph, Hermitage, and Crozes-Hermitage. Syrah is king with the exception of the Condrieu (100% Viognier) and Hermitage, which also makes big whites from Marsanne and Roussanne. The South is a much larger region where most Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Village come from. In the villages of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Rasteau, Syrah is blended in varying proportions with Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsaut, and a host of obscure varieties such as Muscardin, Vaccarese, Terret and Counoise, to produce full-bodied reds brimming with energy.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the most famous village in the southern Rhone. It is here that Grenache, the primary varietal, is arguably at its very best. Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsaut are also normally included however the proportions can vary significantly from producer to producer. In some cases (Château Beaucastel), all thirteen permitted varieties are included. They are often very age-worthy wines with incredible depth and concentration, and which develop complex secondary aromas including dried fruit, spice and earth.
