Lying south of Lyon, the Rhone stretches right to the Mediterranean and along the slopes of its valley are the vineyards of world famous wines such as Hermitage and Chateauneuf du Pape.
Syrah is the grape of the northern Rhone (Cornas, Hermitage, St Joseph) and Grenache dominated Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Villages wines are made in the hotter south. The better villages in the south such as Chateuneuf du Pape and Gigondas make dense full bodied reds that last for years.
Do not overlook lesser known areas such as the Cotes de Ventoux, where good value and well made reds with real finesse are waiting to be discovered.
The Durieu family (based at Chateauneuf) make traditional, elegant reds with a real wow factor. The nearby village of Beaumes de Venise makes delicious dessert wines from the Muscat grape.
Great local vineyards
- Domaine Durieu (Chateauneuf du Pape) + 33 (0)4 90 37 28 14
- Domaine de la Pigeade (Beaumes de Venise) + 33 (0)4 90 62 90 00
- Chateau Unang (Cotes de Ventoux) + 33 (0)4 90 69 91 37
