Rhone Valley Region

The Rhone Valley takes its name from the Rhone River, which begins high in the Swiss Alps and flows into France through the canyons of the Jura Mountains. South of Lyon and just north of Ampuis where the vineyards begin, the river makes a sharp turn and plunges southward for 250 miles until it washes into the Mediterranean, just west of Marseille.

The Valley is divided in two parts: the northern Rhone, smaller, a bit more prestigious, and steeper sloped, producing intense Syrah-based reds and unctuous whites from the holy trinity of Viognier, Marsanne and Rousanne. Then, the southern Rhone: larger, better known, and warmer, producing the likes of Grenache and Mourvedre as well as a panoply of other varieties.

It takes about an hour to drive between the two, and along the way, you’ll see only patches of isolated vineyards. In fact, the northern and southern Rhone are so distinct and different that, were it not for the river that connects them, they would almost certainly be considered separate wine regions. The only common thread is the exceptional wine values they offer. Whether it’s a Cornas or humble Cotes du Rhone, these are wines which truly deliver exceptional quality for the price!