The Northern Rhône

Overview

The Côtes du Rhône region as a whole is separated into three distinct quality levels: Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône-Villages, and Commune. Côtes du Rhône represents the most generic quality wine, though it can be a good value. Côtes du Rhône-Villages is much better as grape yields are required to be significantly lower. The cummune level is the best wine in the Rhône, and the labels will show the name of the particular region in which the wine was grown and produced. There is no system of rating wines as “grand crus” or “premier crus” as in Bordeaux, but the system works well regardless since the top communes are very well known.

The Northern Rhône is red wine country, and it does the job well. Most famous for its deep colored Syrah blends, a few white and rosé wines are produced here as well. There are several important wine areas within the Northern Rhône appellation.

History

Greek settlers first planted vines on the slopes along the Rhône River Valley as early as 600 B.C., thanks to the region’s warm, dry climate with strong Mediterranean influences. Winemaking became prevalent in the Rhône region during the height of the Roman Empire, and then declined once more following its collapse. During the next several hundred years, the region’s strength for viticulture became well known. With the popes’ move to Avignon, the church kept wine production alive in the Rhône region.

After the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon, much of France’s vineyards were subdivided among the population. In the Rhône, where certain appellations brought higher prices than others regardless of the wine’s quality, this fragmentation led to frequent false labeling by producers. Eventually, Baron LeRoy of Chateau Fortia led a movement after World War One to shore up the labeling system and end the fraud. He worked to establish set boundaries and regulate the types of wine produced, which eventually solved the problem. As of 1936, his successful system was adopted nationwide, and became the national system of quality control in France.

To this day, in addition to producing several top wines, the Côte du Rhône area is dotted with Medieval and Roman ruins, testaments to the region’s rich history.

Geography

The Northern Rhone spans the distance from southern Burgundy to the Southern Rhône. It follows the Rhône River the whole way.

Temperature

The climate here is a mix of Mediterranean influences and continental weather, giving the Northern Rhône hot summers and especially colder winters than its southern conterpart.

Topography

Vineyards grow on steep sloping hills along the Rhône River.

Terroir

Soil in the Northern Rhône is dry and light with granite, calcareous, and iron influences. Exact breakdowns vary significantly by sub-region.

Wines

Important Varieties:

| Syrah: Nearly black in color, this variety is the Northern Rhône’s claim to fame.
| Viognier