Rhône Wines - South

The Southern Rhône stretches from Valence into Provence above Avignon. The Southern Rhône is flatter, hotter and wetter than the north and the wines are blended with an array of grapes - in Châteauneuf du Pape itself, up to 13 grape varieties are permitted.  Grenache dominates the red wine production and the earthy and warming wines of Châteauneuf du Pape, Gigondas & Vacqueyras provide wonderful accompaniments to stews, roasts or cheeses.

The whites, from the same grapes as wines in the Northern Rhône, plus Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc, are fairly rare accounting for only 5% of production.  These wines, along with their rosé counterparts (in Lirac & Tavel) are best drunk young (within 3 years of the vintage) and are great partners to chicken, fish or seafood.

“The bottom line is that there has never been a better time for the smart money to buy into the Rhône – whether you’re a drinker, collector or, indeed, an investor”

John Stimpfig, Decanter Magazine 2007