Rhone

The first thing to know about the Rhône wine region in France is that it is divided into North and South. The North produces Syrah based reds and pure whites made from the Viognier grape. The south produces Châteauneuf-du-Pape and other blends from several varieties. The first cultivated vines were likely planted in 600 BC, however, the origins of the two most important grape varieties in the Northern Rhone (Syrah and Viognier) are unknown.

Please click here to explore our Rhone selection or click on a vintage below.

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Please click on a Vintage highlighted in white below.

Available Vintages
All	N.V.	2007	2006	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001	2000
1999	1998	1997	1996	1995	1994	1993	1992	1991	1990
1989	1988	1987	1986	1985	1984	1983	1982	1981	1980
1979	1978	1977	1976	1975	1974	1973	1972	1971	1970
1969	1968	1967	1966	1965	1964	1963	1962	1961	1960
1959	1958	1957	1956	1955	1954	1953	1952	1951	1950

All wines are offered subject to remaining unsold.

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Northern Rhone

Syrah is the only red grape variety allowed in these wines. The grape is also widely known as Shiraz, its name in Australia, which has made the variety very popular with consumers around the world. Some Syrah, however, has white mixed in. The only white grape varieties in the north are viognier, marsanne, and roussanne. Marsanne and roussanne are used for the whites in Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Saint Joseph, and Saint Péray.

The northern Rhone is characterized by a continental climate with harsh winters but warm summers.

Northern Rhone reds are often identified by their signature green olive and smoky bacon aromas. Premier Cote Roties include Guigal's "LaLa's": La Landonne, La Mouline and La Turque, while some of the most renowned wines from Hermitage are Chave's Cuvee Catelin and Jaboulet's La Chappelle. These and other top class reds from Northern Rhone command consistently high prices, but can age effortlessly for decades.

Southern Rhone

Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC has 13 legal varieties, and the surrounding areas, Coteaux du Tricastin AOC, Côtes du Ventoux AOC, Côtes du Vivarais AOC, Lirac AOC, Tavel AOC and Vacqueyras AOC can have more. Gigondas AOC is predominantly made from Grenache Noir and is more restricted in the other grapes it can use. Fortified wines (vin doux naturel) are made in the Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC and Rasteau AOCs. The southern Rhone has more of a Mediterranean climate with milder winters and hot summers. Drought can be a problem, but limited irrigation is permitted. The red wines of the Southern Rhone are blended from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, and Cinsaut while the white wines are blended from Ugni Blanc, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, and Clairette. Some good producers include: Paul Jaboulet Aine, E. Guigal, Beaucastel, Vieux Telegraphe, Chapoutier, Mordoree, Grand Veneur and La Nerthe

Cotes du Rhone

Côtes du Rhône AOC is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée that covers both the northern and southern sections of the valley. Typically it is only used if the wine does not qualify for an appellation that can command a higher price. Produce from vineyards surrounding certain villages Cairanne, Rasteau and others may be labeled Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOC.