Rhône

The Rhône is very important for viticulture. It unifies four different winegrowing areas in terms of climate, topography and vine varieties: southern and northern Rhône, the central area around the Drôme tributary, and the region to the East of the southern Rhône. In the North, there is a continental climate with tough winters and hot summers. The steep slopes on granite-rich soils almost exclusively host Syrah – the only permitted red vine type – as well as the white Viognier. Other prestigious winegrowing regions such as Hermitage and Côte Rotie are at home here. The sea-facing South benefits from a Mediterranean climate and sandy, rocky soils. Most wines there are Cuvées from Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault and Mourvèdre, which are also processed in the well-known Châteauneuf-du-Pape area.