France - Rhone

Photo from the Cornas vineyards of Jean-Luc Colombo overlooking the Rhône river

Northern Rhône stretches from Vienne to Valence and contains the regions of Côte-Rotie, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas, Condrieu, Château Grillet, St.-Joseph & St.-Péray. The red wines are easy to remember – they are all made from Syrah. The one and only red grape of the region. Whites are typically Viognier, although some Marsanne & Roussanne can be added in certain regions.

Southern Rhône is about 60 miles south of the Northern Rhône and there are almost no vineyards in-between. The Southern Rhône area contains the appellations of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Tavel, Gigondas, Vacqueras, and the best known, the Côtes-du-Rhône. While Syrah is the main, and only, player in the North, the South has a slew of red varieties to use. 23 grapes (white and red) in all. Grenache is usually the primary grape in the blend, followed by Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault.