When one thinks of the Rhône Valley, images of its illustrious red wines—inky-colored, bold Syrah from the north and fruity Grenache-based reds from the south—come to mind. But while these reds are loved for good reason, they’re not the only game in town. The whites from this key wine-producing region in the southeast of France are starting to gain recognition for their own unique qualities and are an intriguing alternative worth exploring.
One Region: Two Landscapes
The Rhône Valley is split into two distinct regions: the north and the south. These areas vary significantly in terms of climate, topography, soils, and grape varieties cultivated.
In the Northern Rhône, you’ll find a rugged terrain of steep hillside vineyards. Winters here are harsh, cold, and wet, while summers are hot and windy. The Syrah-based red wines produced here are legendary, with great complexity and distinctive flavors of dark berries, olives, black pepper, and savory, gamey nuances.
Steep, terraced vines in the Côte-Rotie. Photo: @marcheauxvinsdechavanay
While the red wines of the northern Rhône command the spotlight, it’s worth noting that white wines, representing a mere 5% of the region’s production, offer a delightful contrast to their red counterparts.
One of the region’s most highly regarded white wines is made from Viognier grapes grown in the Condrieu appellation. Condrieu spans just 250 acres and enjoys ideal conditions for Viognier to thrive: a continental climate with steep, sun-soaked vineyards of granite and shale. This white grape variety produces fragrant, full-bodied, age-worthy wines with notes
This Article was originally published on The Wine Chef
