Exploring the Delightful Wines of the Rhone Valley

By Jennifer Lutrell | Published on 2022-05-25

Welcome to the Rhone Valley, a region of France renowned for its delicious wines! From the full-bodied reds of the Southern Rhone to the aromatic whites of the Northern Rhone, the Rhone Valley has something for everyone. In this article, we will explore the delightful wines of the Rhone Valley, including understanding Rhone style blends, discovering popular Rhone varieties, and uncovering the unique aromas of Roussanne wine. We'll also look at the best Northern Rhone wines to try and the perfect pairings for a bottle of Syrah. So, let's dive in and discover the wonderful wines of the Rhone Valley!

Understanding Rhone Style Blends

The Rhone Valley is home to some of the most unique and delicious wines in the world. This region of France is known for its distinctive blends, which combine different grape varieties to create a unique flavor profile. Rhone style blends are typically made up of two or more grape varieties, such as Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Cinsault. These blends are often referred to as GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) or GSM blends.

The beauty of Rhone style blends is that they can be tailored to the winemaker’s tastes. Different grape varieties can be added or removed to create a unique flavor profile. For example, a winemaker may choose to add a little more Syrah to the blend to create a bolder, more full-bodied wine. Or, they may choose to add a little more Grenache to create a softer, more fruit-forward wine.

The blending of different grape varieties also allows winemakers to create wines with complex aromas and flavors. For example, a GSM blend may contain notes of blackberry, plum, and spice, while a Syrah-dominant blend may have more earthy, leathery notes. Blending different grape varieties also allows winemakers to create wines with a variety of tannin levels and acidity levels, which can make for a more balanced, enjoyable wine.

Discovering Popular Rhone Varieties

When it comes to exploring the delightful wines of the Rhone Valley, it is important to understand the popular varieties that make up the region's signature blends. The Rhone Valley is home to a wide range of grape varieties, including Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Carignan, Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Picpoul. Each of these grapes has its own unique flavor profile and characteristics, making them ideal for creating complex and flavorful blends.

Syrah is the most widely planted variety in the Rhone Valley, and it is often the star of the show in Rhone-style blends. This dark-skinned grape is known for its intense aromas of blackberry, pepper, and spice, and its full-bodied structure. Grenache is another popular variety in the region, and it is often used to add a sweet and fruity flavor to the blend. Mourvedre is known for its earthy and smoky characteristics, while Cinsault and Carignan are used to add complexity and structure to the blend.

Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Picpoul are all white varieties that are used to create Rhone-style white wines. Viognier is known for its floral aromas and lush texture, while Roussanne is known for its nutty and honeyed flavors. Marsanne is known for its creamy texture and nutty aromas, and Picpoul is known for its crisp acidity and citrus flavors. Each of these varieties contributes something unique to the blend, making it a truly unique and delicious experience.

The Characteristics of Red Rhone Wine

The red wines of the Rhone Valley are renowned for their complexity and depth of flavor. They are typically full-bodied, with a deep ruby color and aromas of dark fruits, spices, and herbs. The flavor profile of these wines can vary depending on the blend of grapes used, but they often have notes of blackberry, cherry, plum, tobacco, leather, and earth. The tannins are usually soft and well-integrated, and the finish is long and lingering.

The most common red Rhone blends are known as GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) and CDP (Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah). These blends are known for their balance of fruit, spice, and acidity, and for their ability to pair well with a variety of foods. The Grenache in the blend adds aromas of raspberry, strawberry, and spice, while the Syrah adds dark fruit and pepper notes. The Mourvedre adds structure and tannin, and the Cinsault adds a light, floral note.

The Rhone Valley is also home to some of the world’s most famous single-varietal wines. Syrah is the king of the Rhone Valley, and is known for its intense aromas of blackberry, pepper, and spice. The wines of Hermitage and Cote-Rotie are particularly sought after, and are known for their complexity and depth of flavor. Other popular Rhone varieties include Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan, and Cinsault. Each of these varieties has its own unique characteristics, and can be blended together to create a unique and delicious wine.

Exploring Northern and Southern Rhone Appellations

The Rhone Valley is divided into two distinct regions: the northern and southern Rhone. Each region has its own unique terroir and climate, which results in different styles of wines. In the northern Rhone, the climate is cooler and the soils are granite-based, producing wines with intense aromas and flavors. Popular varietals include Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. The southern Rhone, on the other hand, has a warmer climate and soils that are mostly limestone-based. This region produces wines that are more fruit-forward and often blended with other varietals like Grenache, Mourvedre, and Carignan.

The northern Rhone is home to some of the most prestigious appellations in the world, including Hermitage, Cote-Rotie, and Cornas. These wines are known for their intense aromas and flavors of dark fruit, pepper, and herbs. The southern Rhone is also home to some of the most popular appellations, such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Vacqueyras. These wines are typically blended with Grenache, Mourvedre, and Carignan and are known for their intense aromas and flavors of ripe red and black fruit, herbs, and spices.

No matter which region you explore, the Rhone Valley is sure to offer something for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of intense and complex northern Rhone wines or the more fruit-forward and approachable southern Rhone wines, you’re sure to find something to love.

Syrah: The King of the Rhone Valley Wines

Syrah is the undisputed king of the Rhone Valley wines. This robust and full-bodied red grape variety is the most widely planted in the region, and is the star of many of the most renowned wines of the Rhone Valley. Syrah is a versatile grape variety that can be used to create a range of styles, from light and fruity to dark and complex.

The Syrah grape is known for its intense aromas and flavors, which can range from dark fruits such as blackberry and plum, to spices such as pepper, cloves, and licorice. It is also known for its high tannin levels, which give the wines a full-bodied and robust structure. Syrah is often blended with other Rhone varieties such as Grenache, Mourvedre, and Viognier to create complex and flavorful wines.

Syrah is the perfect wine for pairing with a variety of foods, from grilled meats to pizza. Its robust tannins and intense flavors make it an ideal match for bold flavors, and its high acidity helps to cut through the richness of fatty foods. Syrah is also a great choice for enjoying on its own, as its complex aromas and flavors make it a pleasure to sip and savor.

Unveiling the Unique Aromas of Roussanne Wine

Roussanne is a white grape variety that is grown in the Rhone Valley of France. It is one of the most popular varieties in the region, and it is known for its unique aromas and flavors. Roussanne has a distinct floral aroma, with notes of honey, apricot, and citrus. It also has a rich, creamy texture, with a hint of spice.

Roussanne is often blended with other Rhone varieties, such as Grenache Blanc and Marsanne, to create a complex and flavorful white wine. The combination of these varieties creates a wine that is full-bodied and complex, with a long finish. Roussanne can also be enjoyed on its own, as it has a balanced acidity and a pleasant minerality.

When it comes to food pairings, Roussanne is a great choice for seafood dishes, as its delicate aromas and flavors will complement the flavors of the dish. It also pairs well with poultry and pork dishes, as well as creamy cheeses. Roussanne is also a great choice for spicy dishes, as its acidity and minerality will help to balance out the heat.

The Best Northern Rhone Wines to Try

When it comes to Northern Rhone wines, Syrah is the undisputed king. This full-bodied red wine is known for its intense aromas of blackberry, pepper, and spice, and its deep, dark color. Syrah from the Northern Rhone is often blended with other varieties such as Grenache, Mourvedre, and Viognier, creating a unique flavor profile that is both complex and balanced.

For those looking to explore the best Northern Rhone wines, the appellations of Cote Rotie, Hermitage, and Cornas are a great place to start. Cote Rotie is a highly sought-after appellation that produces some of the most sought-after Syrah wines in the world. Hermitage is known for its powerful, tannic wines that are full of dark fruit flavors. Cornas is the smallest of the three appellations, but it produces some of the most intense and concentrated Syrah wines in the region.

In addition to these three appellations, the Northern Rhone also produces some excellent white wines. Marsanne and Roussanne are two of the most popular varieties, and they are often blended together to create a unique flavor profile that is both floral and fruity. These wines are perfect for pairing with food, and they are sure to delight any wine lover.

The Perfect Pairings for a Bottle of Syrah

When it comes to pairing a bottle of Syrah, the options are plentiful. Syrah is a full-bodied red wine with a bold flavor profile, so it pairs best with dishes that can stand up to its intensity. Rich, savory dishes like beef, lamb, and game meats are ideal, as are dishes with strong flavors like tomato-based sauces, mushrooms, and roasted vegetables. Syrah also pairs well with aged cheeses, charcuterie, and grilled dishes.

For a classic pairing, try Syrah with a hearty beef stew. The bold flavors of the wine will stand up to the richness of the stew, while the stew's savory notes will bring out the wine's spicier elements. Another great pairing is Syrah with a mushroom risotto. The earthy flavors of the mushrooms will complement the wine's dark fruit notes, while the creamy texture of the risotto will balance out the wine's tannins.

Finally, Syrah is a great match for pizza. The smoky, spicy flavors of the wine will stand up to the bold flavors of the pizza toppings, while the wine's tannins will cut through the richness of the cheese. For a truly unique pairing, try Syrah with a pizza topped with smoked salmon and dill. The smoky, salty flavors of the salmon will bring out the wine's dark fruit notes, while the dill will add a bright, herbal note.

Conclusion

The Rhone Valley is a region of France renowned for its exquisite wines. From the popular Rhone varieties of Syrah and Roussanne to the unique blends of the Northern and Southern Rhone appellations, there is something for everyone to explore and enjoy. Whether you are looking for a bottle of Syrah to pair with pizza or a Northern Rhone Syrah to enjoy on its own, the Rhone Valley has something for everyone. So, why not take a journey through the delightful wines of the Rhone Valley and discover something new and exciting?