Rhone

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Rhône

In the Middle Ages, the region’s viticulture was revitalised under the influence of the Church and, notably, the papacy in the 14th century, when the Popes resided in Avignon and encouraged the development of vineyards around Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The vineyards of the Rhône Valley are among the oldest in France. Vine cultivation can be traced back to the 4th century B.C. near the Greek settlement of Massalia (modern-day Marseille). Later, in the 1st century A.D., the Romans expanded viticulture particularly in the northern parts of the valley, around towns such as Vienne, establishing terraces, vineyards and storage vessels to support the growing wine trade.

In the Middle Ages, the region’s viticulture was revitalised under the influence of the Church and, notably, the papacy in the 14th century, when the Popes resided in Avignon and encouraged the development of vineyards around Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Over time, wine regulations in the Rhône took shape, for example with the emergence of the appellation system in the early 20th century.

Today, the Rhône Valley is a major French wine region stretching along the river from Vienne in the north to Avignon in the south, and it is traditionally divided into two distinct sub-regions: the Northern Rhône and the Southern Rhône.

The Northern Rhône is marked by steep hillsides, granitic soils and a cooler, more continental climate. Key grape varieties include Syrah for red wines and Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne for whites.

By contrast, the Southern Rhône is shaped by a Mediterranean climate: warmer temperatures, a flatter valley floor and soils ranging from pebbles to clay and sand. Here, red blends dominated by Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre are typical, and wines often come from appellations such as Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Today the region enjoys a strong international standing: top crus like Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie form the pinnacle of quality, while numerous villages and cooperatives offer excellent value across the Rhône appellations.