France — wine

Rhône Valley

France's third great wine region, 200km from Lyon to Avignon. Divided at Montélimar: Northern Rhône (narrow granite terraces; Syrah king; Viognier for whites) and Southern Rhône (broad, warm; Grenache-dominant blends up to 13 varieties). Syrah's spiritual home in both its most intellectual (Hermitage) and most complex blended (Châteauneuf-du-Pape) expressions.

Sub-regions

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Gigondas Northern Rhône Southern Rhône Tavel Vacqueyras

Benchmark products

wine still

E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rouge

E. Guigal — Côtes du Rhône

estate

Vintage assessments

Year	Rating	Notes
2022	89	Good warm vintage. Strong Grenache in south, dense Syrah in north. Age-worthy wines at all levels.
2019	90	Very good. Consistent quality across all Rhône appellations. Great vintage north and south.
2018	91	Excellent across the Rhône corridor. Both Northern (Syrah) and Southern (Grenache) delivering outstanding quality.