France | Southern Rhône
The Southern Rhône, in contrast to the Northern Rhône, has a more Mediterranean climate with milder winters and hot summers. Drought can be a problem in the area, but limited irrigation is permitted to try and combat this problem. The differing terroirs, together with the rugged landscape which partly protects the valleys from the Mistral, produce microclimates which give rise to a wide diversity of wines.
An interesting feature to the cultivation of vines in the Southern Rhône is the use of large pebbles (galets) around the bases of the vines which absorb the heat of the sun during the day. At night due to the cloudless skies there is often a significant drop in temperature, but the heat from the pebbles helps keep the vines warm.
The Southern Rhône's most famous red wine is Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a blend containing up to 13 different varieties of wine grapes, both red and white. Other nearby AOC regions including, Coteaux du Tricastin AOC, Côtes du Ventoux AOC, Côtes du Vivarais AOC, Lirac AOC, Tavel AOC and Vacqueyras AOC may contain even more grape varieties in the blend.
Depending on the specific AOC rules, grapes blended into Southern Rhône red wines may include Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault. Red wines made on the left bank of the valley tend to be full bodied and rich in tannins while young; whilst the right bank reds are slightly lighter and fruitier.
White wines from the Southern Rhône, such as in Châteauneuf-du-Pape whites, are also typically blends of several wine grapes. These may include Ugni Blanc, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, and Clairette. Viognier is increasingly being used in the Southern Rhône and is appearing as a single varietal white wine.
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Domaine Roger Sabon Le Sabounet Rouge NV
From £12.75
A delicious Grenache led Vin de France that has real Mediterranean character...Read More...
Paul Jaboulet Aîné 'Parallèle 45' Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2022/23
From £14.50
Parallèle 45 is celebrated around the globe for its exceptional quality & generous flavour...Read More...
Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2021
£95.00
The wines at this historic property are consistently among the finest in the region...Read More...
M. Chapoutier Côtes-du-Rhône 'Belleruche' Rouge 2022
From £13.50
Juicy, powerful & fruity with lovely roasted notes & silky delicate tannins...Read More...
Le Grand Prébois Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc 2023
From £14.00
A Mediterranean white with incredible freshness & great depth of flavour...Read More...
Famille Perrin 'Les Cornuds' Vinsobres 2021
From £19.50
A full-bodied, but poised blend with typical Garrigue aromas and fresh cherry fruit...Read More...
Domaine de Beaurenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape | Half Bottle
£24.00
A reference point Châteauneuf-du-Pape from one of the best Rhône biodynamic estates...Read More...
Les Pallières Au Petit Bonheur Rosé | Jeroboam (300cl)
£80.00
A large format Rosé bottle that is sure to bring a little bit of happiness!...Read More...
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2023
From £64.00
In time this develops into a rich, succulent, nutty treat reminiscent of white Hermitage...Read More...
Brunier Le Pigeoulet Vaucluse Rouge 2022
From £22.00
A fresh, fruity, rich & elegant everyday drinker produced by the Brunier family...Read More...
Chéne Bleu Aliot 2017
From £60.00
This Burgundy-style white, is a rich oak-aged Roussanne blend & a true vin-de-garde...Read More...
Lirac by Roger Sabon 2023
From £20.00
Creamy & rich with silky spiciness Lirac by Roger Sabon is electrifying stuff...Read More...
Chêne Bleu Le Rosé 2021/22
From £26.00
Structured, rich & complex, a versatile wine ideally suited to be enjoyed with food...Read More...
Chêne Bleu Héloïse 2018
From £75.00
A Syrah blend named Héloïse for its balance of concentration, restraint & ripe, supple texture...Read More...
Chêne Bleu Abélard 2015
From £86.00
Highly perfumed Grenache blend named ABÉLARD to reflect its forceful, masculine, brooding intensity...Read More...
Chêne Bleu Astralabe 2019
From £28.00
The “teenager” of the Chêne Bleu reds, a vibrant yet easy drinking Grenache-Syrah blend...Read More...
Domaine de la Charbonnière Cuvée Mourre des Perdrix Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020
From £51.00
A silky, elegant and seamless Châteauneuf-du-Pape sourced from a single vineyard...Read More...
Piedlong Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020
From £47.00
A velvety Châteauneuf-du-Pape perfectly pitched between richness, freshness, robustness & femininity...Read More...
Domaine Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Olivets 2022
From £33.00
Sabon's 'Les Olivets' is always one of the best bargains in Châteauneuf-du-Pape...Read More...
Rhône by Roger Sabon 2023
From £15.75
A bold, fruity Côtes du Rhône ready for immediate drinking or short term cellaring...Read More...
Domaine la Soumade Côtes du Rhône 2022
From £16.75
A high quality Côtes du Rhône from the Domaine la Soumade stable...Read More...
Famille Perrin Côtes-du-Rhône Villages 2021
From £17.50
A great value red from the very best vineyard sites of the region...Read More...
Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2018/19
From £70.00
Intensely concentrated Châteauneuf-du-Pape from one of the regions most renowned estates...Read More...
Télégramme Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2021
From £43.00
A delicious fruit driven 2nd label of Vieux Télégraphe which drinks well in its youth...Read More...