Corinne’s Guide to Rhône Wines
The northern Rhône is primarily the land of Syrah.
Here, the Rhône Valley narrows, forming steep terraces on which the vines grow.
Cooled by the harsh mistral wind, this region has a continental climate.
The major Syrah appellations are, roughly from north to south, Côte-Rotie, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, and Cornas.
The southern Rhône has a milder climate that moves seamlessly into the Mediterranean climate of Provence.
The red wines are made from Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsaut, and Mourvèdre.
The major appellations are Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Lirac, Vacqueyras, Costieres de Nimes. Côtes du Rhône Villages is the appellation given to quality wines from about 20 other villages.
Côtes du Rhône is a vast section of the southern Rhône that makes Grenache-dominated reds.
Corinne chose the Sierra Foothills to grow her Rhône varietals as “Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah love the climate here and blend together so nicely!”
SYRAH (also known as
Shiraz) is the most planted
Rhône varietal in California.
Its aromas are of smoke,
bacon fat, black fruit and
crushed rock, with flavors of
blueberry, blackberry, black
olive and spice, full body
and substantial tannin.
MOURVÈDRE is the latest-
ripening Rhône varietal and
has aromas of red fruit,
chocolate, leather and earth,
flavors of plum, currant and
spice. Wines with Mourvèdre
age gracefully to flavors of
truffles and game.
