Rhone

The Rhône vineyards stretch over 70,000 hectares along the eponymous river, almost 200 km from Vienne to Lubéron, with a natural division at Montélimar between the Rhône Septentrional and Rhône Méridional.
To the north, the vineyards are characterized by steep slopes that soften into terraces, making it easier to work the vines. The soils here are clay, gravel or granite, the result of activity in the Massif Central over 300 million years ago. To the south, there are vast plains of garrigues, where vines grow alongside fields of lavender, truffle oaks and olive trees. Soils are varied, from clay to limestone, stony to sandy.
The Rhône Septentrional produces cooler, tauter wines, while the Rhône Méridional offers sunnier, warmer wines. This vast vineyard is best known for its red wines, where the famous GSM trilogy (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) dominates. Grenache brings roundness and aromatic richness, Syrah adds spicy notes and a fine tannic structure, while Mourvèdre stands out for its intense character and complexity. Other grape varieties, such as Cinsault and Carignan, can also be found in Rhône reds.
The region's white wines are also emblematic, driven by another trilogy made up of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier. These grape varieties produce full-bodied, supple wines with aromas of fruit and white flowers, sometimes with a salty finish. Viognier, in particular, finds one of its finest expressions on Condrieu terroirs. Other white grape varieties such as Grenache Blanc, Vermentino and Bourboulenc enrich the palette of the region's white wines.
To discover a wider selection of natural Rhône wines, visit Marée Haute.