Among the many famous wine regions of France, the Rhône wine region often takes a back seat to Bordeaux and Burgundy, although it certainly deserves its own time in the spotlight. Located in Southern France along the Rhône River Valley, the region is known for its wonderful expressions of Syrah and Grenache wines, often found under the Côtes du Rhône appellation.

North vs. South

The Rhône Valley is divided into two key areas: North and South. In the smaller Northern Rhône region, the summers can get hot and winemakers focus on full-bodied, savory, and elegant Syrah-based wines. In the Southern Rhône, winemakers take advantage of the region’s mild, Mediterranean climate to make aromatic reds from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre, and Syrah. White wines from the Rhône are usually made from Viognier in a rich, floral style.

Signature Flavors

When you’re tasting wine from the Northern Rhône, you can expect some of the flavors that are characteristic of Syrah, such as dark berries and tobacco, in addition to signature notes of green olives, herbs, and bacon. For Southern Rhône wine, look for ripe, juicy flavors such as red berries, plus notes of chocolate, pepper and violets. One of the most famous appellations in the Southern Rhône is called Châteauneuf-du-Pape, known for powerful, full-bodied reds.

Take a Taste 

For a great example of Rhône wine, Wally’s Wine Director Robert Vardanian recommends 2019 Clos des Brusquières Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($50), which “leaps out of the glass with seductive notes of stewed cherry, black fig, incense, rosemary, cinnamon stick and dried lavender. The wine is rich yet elegant on the palate with vivid, textured fruit giving way to a smoky, spicy finish that refuses to quit.”

If you’re starting out in your exploration of the Rhône Valley, you can try some of the more popular brands in the region to get a feel for the most common flavors. Vardanian recommends Plan Pegau, a great producer of Châteauneuf-du-Pape whose entry-level wine NV Plan Pegau Vin de France ($25) is a perfect starter choice. You can also level up your palate by trying a higher-end wine like 2018 Bernard Burgaud Cote-Rotie ($75), which is a great example of Northern Rhône’s complex, savory flavors.

Here are some more great Wally's picks from the Rhône wine region:

• NV Plan Pegau Vin de France ($25)
• 2019 Domaine des Lises Crozes-Hermitage ($35)
• 2019 Christophe Semaska Syrah d'Auguste ($35)
• 2019 Les Pallieres Gigondas Terrasse du Diable ($40)
• 2020 Domaine de la Solitude 'Cuvee Barberini' Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc ($75)
• 2018 Bernard Burgaud Côte-Rôtie ($75)
• 2019 Saint Préfert 'Collection Charles Giraud' Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($190) 97 points, Wine Spectator