Southern appellations

The largest and best-known appellation in the Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape produces more wine than the whole of the Northern Rhône. Renowned for its gloriously rich red wines, redolent of the heat and herbs of the south, unctuous and mouth-coating white wines are also made here.

Côtes du Rhône is one of France’s largest and best-known appellations. Vineyards here cover both banks of the Rhône River with numerous grape varieties. The primary reds are Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault while Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne dominate the whites. The region’s diverse terroirs produce rich, robust reds with dark fruit and peppery flavours and aromatic white wines with stone fruit and floral characters.

Gigondas sits close to the Dentelles de Montmirail, the eroded hilltop limestone outcrops dominating the landscape. Vineyards cluster on its sides from high forests to sandier soil of Gigondas, before spreading onto the alluvial plain around the Ouvèze river. The varied altitudes and soils give the wines a focused, mineral energy.