Rhône Valley

Rhône Valley: the home of Syrah and Grenache

The Rhône is the clearest lesson in how one river grows two different reds. In the steep northern valley, Syrah stands alone and makes the dark, peppery wines of Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie. In the warm, broad south, Grenache leads a blend at Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. Same river, two grapes, two moods.

The wines

Northern Rhône Syrah is structured and savoury, all black pepper and cured meat. Southern Rhône reds are rounder and warmer, built on Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre for backbone. Côtes du Rhône is the everyday version and one of the best-value reds in France.

Where to go

Avignon is the base for the south, with Châteauneuf-du-Pape a short drive into the vines. For the north, Lyon puts you near Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage, where the vineyards climb almost vertical slopes above the river.

Eat

This is the gateway to Provence, so the table turns to olive oil, herbs and slow-cooked daube of beef, which sits perfectly against a southern Rhône red.

Getting there

Fast trains from Paris reach Avignon in under three hours and Lyon in two. A car helps for the vineyards, though Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an easy trip from Avignon.