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!”