Côtes du Rhône wines

More about wine from the Rhône Valley: The Côtes-du-Rhône is, in its own words, one of the oldest wine regions. Vines were planted in the south as early as the fourth century B.C. The production area stretches along the banks of the Rhône, spread across six French départements. Côtes-du-Rhône is known as 'the wine of popes': Châteauneuf du Pape. Côtes du Rhône wines differ considerably in terms of colour, production methods and - not to be forgotten - taste. Over twenty varieties of grape are used in the Rhône, of which Syrah (in the north) and Grenache (in the south) are the main types of grape used for red wine from the Rhône. Viognier, Marsanne and Rousanne are predominantly used to produce white wine. In the north there is mainly granite soil and a temperate climate. This contrasts with the south, where there is a warm, Mediterranean climate (examples include Avignon & Châteauneuf du Pape) and a clay and sandy soil. In the north we find wines such as AOC (AOP) Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Cornas, Crozes-Hermitage and AOC Hermitage. In the Southern Rhône area we find AOC (AOP) Gigondas, Vacqueras, Châteauneuf du Pape, Rasteau & Tavel (known for its rosé wines).