Vallée du Rhone Rouge
Red Wines from the Rhône Valley
The red wines from the Rhône Valley featured here are representative of the region’s rich winemaking tradition: diverse wines offering a wide range of flavours. You're sure to find the one that suits you best. We're here to guide you toward the red wine that will truly delight you!
The Vineyards of the Rhône Valley
The Rhône Valley vineyard stretches over 200 kilometers, from Vienne to Avignon. As France’s second-largest wine region after Bordeaux, it now covers around 70,000 hectares. Over 7,000 estates produce wines under a Rhône Valley AOC.
The region mainly produces red wines, which account for 80% of total production. Winemakers craft internationally renowned wines across 28 appellations and 27 grape varieties that are the pride of French viticulture.
Terroirs That Shape the Character of the Wines
Nestled between the Massif Central, the Alps, and the Mediterranean, the Rhône Valley stretches between Vienne and Avignon and offers highly varied terroirs for vine cultivation. Vineyards may be planted on steep and narrow hillsides. The region encompasses both the cooler, wetter Northern Rhône and the sunnier, Mediterranean Southern Rhône.
Northern Rhône: Granitic Soils
Located on the foothills of the Massif Central, the Northern Rhône begins about 30 km south of Lyon. Its soils are rich in granite, clay, and crumbly rock. Syrah thrives in this type of terrain, producing mineral-rich red wines.
Southern Rhône: Pebbles and Clay
Extending from Montélimar to Avignon (about 80 km), this region features varied topography and limestone-rich soils. Southern Rhône soils, exposed to the Mistral wind, are dry and well-drained. Here you’ll find full-bodied and generous red wines, including all wines under the Côtes-du-Rhône Villages appellation.
The Influence of the Mediterranean Climate
The Mediterranean climate brings more than 2,700 hours of sunshine per year to the Rhône Valley vineyards. This intense sun ensures optimal ripening of the grapes, resulting in powerful, concentrated red wines.
The Mistral, a cold and dry wind typical of the region, plays a vital role in vine health. It helps reduce disease pressure naturally, allowing for more sustainable viticulture.
These unique climatic conditions produce red wines with intense colour and pronounced aromas of ripe fruit—an experience you can discover through our curated selection!
Red Rhône Grape Varieties
There are 37 authorized grape varieties in the Rhône Valley. Below are the most common and their characteristics to help you better understand the wines of the region.
Syrah: Queen of the North
Syrah reigns supreme in the prestigious appellations of the Northern Rhône. This exceptional grape reaches its finest expression in grands crus such as Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, and Côte-Rôtie.
On the region’s steep slopes, Syrah develops a unique aromatic profile that evolves beautifully with age. Its structured tannins give it outstanding aging potential in top domaines.
Syrah wines are known for their long finish, impressive power, and smooth tannins—striking a perfect balance between intensity and finesse.
Grenache: King of the South
In the Southern Rhône, Grenache is the backbone of blends. The red version—Grenache Noir—is used for red wine production. Its exceptional resistance to drought and the Mistral makes it ideal for the Mediterranean climate.
Winemakers value its ability to produce powerful wines with notes of ripe black fruit and spice. A prime example: the world-renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where Grenache truly shines.
Adapted to the region’s stony, clay-limestone soils, Grenache produces grapes with high sugar concentration, resulting in rich and generous wines.
Key Supporting Varieties
Mourvèdre is the fourth most planted grape in the region. It adds structure and complexity to Rhône blends with its powerful yet low-acid tannins, along with dark fruit and spice notes.
Carignan, mainly cultivated in the south, is a tannic variety that produces robust and age-worthy wines.
Cinsault is appreciated for its aromatic delicacy, offering easy-drinking, gourmand reds. Its fresh red fruit and finesse make it an invaluable blending partner.
What Are the Rhône Appellations?
If you’re a Rhône wine enthusiast, names like Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, or Châteauneuf-du-Pape will sound familiar. Here's an overview of the major appellations and what makes them unique, to help you make the best choice.
Prestigious Crus of the North
Côte-Rôtie is the crown jewel of the Northern Rhône. Its wines are renowned for aromatic richness and firm tannins, born from a delicate blend of Syrah and Viognier.
The Saint-Joseph appellation, which runs for 50 km along the right bank of the Rhône, produces wines of outstanding finesse. Its granitic slopes yield wines with refined structure and fruity notes.
Atop the iconic hill of Tain-l’Hermitage lies the Hermitage appellation, home to Rhône Valley excellence. Its wines combine ripe red fruit with hints of cocoa and spice.
Renowned Southern Appellations
Southern Rhône is home to prestigious names like Châteauneuf-du-Pape—a globally recognized cru known for bold, complex red wines featuring dark fruit and spice aromas.
The Gigondas appellation produces structured, expressive reds with body and subtle spice.
Vacqueyras and Beaumes-de-Venise complete this remarkable picture with red wines bursting with fruit character.
Côtes du Rhône Villages
Côtes du Rhône Villages comprises 95 communes across four departments: Ardèche, Drôme, Gard, and Vaucluse. This appellation produces nearly 300,000 hectolitres of wine annually.
These terroirs feature clay-limestone soils ideal for Grenache—the mandatory grape in the blends. The diversity of soils within the AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages allows for a wide variety of wine styles.
Like the broader Rhône region, each wine under this appellation has its own identity. We invite you to read the product pages to learn more about the aromas and flavour profiles of each wine we offer.
