Wines of the Rhone
Wines of the RhoneOne of the most interesting wine-making regions in France is in the Southern area – in the Rhone region. The greats from sub-regions Chateuneuf-du-Pape, Cornas, Condrieu and Hermitage all reside in this region.
The Rhone (viticulturally speaking) is divided into two major regions – the Northern and Southern.
Northern Rhone
In the North – the primary red grape you’ll be drinking is Syrah (otherwise known as Shiraz). Subregions in the North are St.-Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Cornas. As you know, the French (and most European countries) don’t list their grapes on their labels – they label by region. So, if you see any of the names above listed on your wine, you know you are sipping a Syrah. These Syrahs are powerful and brooding – don’t expect the big jammy fruit of the Australian Shiraz. One of my favorites is Jean-Luc Colombo’s Les Ruchets Cornas. See my interview with Jean-Luc on Wine Taste TV.
For the Northern Rhone whites, Viognier is Queen. Viognier puts out a lovely wine that has a perfumed, floral nose with high acidity. The famous Condrieus are 100% Viognier, as are Chateau Grillet. Your Northern Rhone grapes are almost all grown on steep hillside, handharvested, with small yields – hence, costly to produce, and costly to purchase.
So, that’s Northern Rhone – just Viognier and Syrah. Southern Rhone is a bit trickier…
Southern Rhone
23 grapes grown in the South. The most significant reds of these are Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre Carignane, Cinsault. The famed Chateuneuf-du-Pape is in this region (made with 13 grapes), as well as Gigondas and Vacqueyras. Contrasting with the Northern Rhone, these wines are more earthy and certainly less expensive. I love Chapoutier’s wine (and his label – all in Braille).
For the whites, you’ll be sipping blends of Ugni Blanc, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, and Clairette.
A Chance to Sip the Rhone
To learn more and (more importantly) taste more about this region, suggest you pay a visit to the French Wine Society’s Rhone Renaissance at the French Embassy on April 17. Not only will you have the occasion to sip some magnificent Rhone wines, but the winemakers themselves will be pouring them for you. And bonus - the top French restaurants in the are (Citronelle, Sofitel's Le Bar, etc) will complement your Rhones with their culinary creations. Bliss!
Cheers-
VV