The Rhone Valley is a large wine producing region, with some of the best varietals coming from the southern end of the valley. While the northern Rhone Valley specializes in Syrahs that vary from solid and acidic to warm and smooth, the southern half of the region is known for producing a blended red that allows any combination of thirteen red and white grape varieties.
There are several major varietals that contribute to the excellent quality of Rhone Valley red wines. Counoise adds a plump blueberry flavor that's well balanced against the tannins of grapes like Syrah, whereas Cinsault adds acidity and bright color. To taste how seamlessly these Southern Rhone grapes blend, look for wines labeled Cotes du Rhone, Cotes du Rhone-Villages, Lirac, Gigondas, and Vacqueyras.
All of these appellations make spicy red wines with lots of ripe, warm fruit flavor. Each appellation, however, is particularly crafted to show off the unique character of its terroir. It may take some practice to determine a Gigondas from a Vacqueyras, but outlining differences begins with a profile of each area’s unique characteristics.
Cotes du Rhone reds can be made from grapes picked anywhere between Vienne and Avignon. Typically, these are light, everyday reds pulled from high-yielding vineyards in the south of the region. The few that are priced above $20 should be richer in color and flavor than their lower priced counterparts.
Cotes du Rhone-Villages wines come from vineyards that are considered better than most). They vary wildly in composition and quality, but Rasteau, Beaumes-de-Venise, and Cairanne are three that offer good values, rich in ripe Grenache's red cherry flavors.
Lirac depends most heavily on the juicy cherry charms of Grenache and tends to make wines as lyrical as the name suggests, soft and plump. Lesser known, its wines can be a steal at $10 to $20.
Gigondas' vineyards climb the foot of the jagged Dentelles de Montmirail, a small but imposing rocky outcrop that's home mainly to Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. The wines can also be the most imposing of the Southern Rhone, with meaty, spicy fruit flavors barbed with strong tannins. You'll pay for that heft, with prices ranging from $15 to $40.
Vacqueyras is right next door, but without the jagged peaks looming over the vineyard, the wines tend to be gentler, sleeker, and a little cheaper.
If there were three grapes most responsible for the character of Southern Rhone reds, it would be this high profile trio. These three, alone and in combination with many lesser-known varieties, make spicy, meaty reds for which the Southern Rhone is known.
Though you'll rarely find a Southern Rhone wine made from just one of these varietals, it often helps to have an idea of what each one contributes to have an idea of what to expect from them in tandem:
Grenache: The hallmark grape of Cotes du Rhone reds, Grenache provides charming, juicy red cherry flavors. High in alcohol and low in acidity, Grenache typically makes short-lived but easy-drinking wines unless it gets help from more tannic and acidic varieties.
Mourvedre: This dark grape is less obvious in blends than the other two but just as important, contributing meaty, black fruit flavors as a bass line for the lighter Grenache to play on.
Syrah: As in the Northern Rhone, Syrah offers a full complement of spicy, plummy fruit with considerable tannin and acidity.
In all, the wide variety of Rhone Valley red wines offers something for every budget and every palate.
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