Substance, generosity and sun-ripened fruit are the essence of wines from the Rhône region in France, which is split into two unequal parts: north and south. The smaller north – including the likes of Crozes-Hermitage and Cornas – uses the syrah grape for spicy reds, makes rich, full whites from marsanne and roussanne and aromatic whites from viognier. The south, including Côtes-du-Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, is most famous for big, generous reds, with grenache the most important grape variety. For more information on the differences between the area's regions and styles, visit our Rhône wine guide.
