New World wines inspired by the great wines from France’s Rhône region have earned a loyal following. Syrah and Viognier used to get all the attention, but adventurous wine lovers are discovering there is so much more in the Rhône worth knowing.
With that said, Viognier and Syrah clearly rule the roost. Acres of Viognier outpace the sum of all other Rhône white varietals by more than a factor of four. Syrah is not quite so dominant in the red variety category, but the number of Syrah acres is greater than the sum of Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Petite Sirah in the USA.
The great wine varietals of the Rhône are among the most congenial in the wine world. While many of the traditional Rhône grapes can make wonderful wines as solo performers, they shine when working together to create sublime blends. The sum is truly greater than the individual parts.
Explore the great Varietals from the Rhône
Bourboulenc – This white varietal plays an important role in the wines from Corbiéres and Minervois. Bourboulenc is also one of the 13 permitted varietals in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Carignan – This prolific grape is the key component of many bulk wines produced in the South of France. However, if this varietal’s yields are kept low, Carignan can produce wines with depth, style, and charm. Carignan is also well-suited to rosé wines in the Rhône, Spain, and the New World.
Cinsault – A popular red variety widely grown in Southern France, including the Southern Rhône, where it can be found in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Cinsault is vigorous in the field, yielding well. The wines are juicy, low in tannin, and have a pleasing spice note. This variety has great potential in California as both a blender and a solo performer. Cinsault is also an important varietal in Morocco, Algeria, and Lebanon, where it is important in the famous wines of Chateau Musar.
Clairette Blanc – This is a workhorse white varietal in the Southern Rhône and much of southwestern France. Clairette Blanc is a blending varietal that adds heft and strength to wines while contributing little acid. When allowed to express itself, Clairette Blanc offers notes of apple, fennel, lime, and peach with a pleasing bitterness.
Counoise – This variety is known only by the most die-hard Rhône fanatics. Despite its lack of name recognition, Counoise is an important player in Châteauneuf-du-Pape rouge. This beautiful blending grape pairs perfectly with Syrah and Grenache, offering fruity flavors and soft tannins with a subtle spicy edge.
Duriff – This variety is named for the doctor who developed this hybrid, a cross between Syrah and Peloursin. It is rarely seen in its native France and is now better known as Petite Sirah. (See our story on Petite Sirah here.) The name is greatly misleading as the wines from this grape are anything but petite, but rather dense and hardy with power and flair.
Grenache (Red) – A prolific red variety that is essential to the great wines of the southern Rhône, including the famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape. It is also responsible for some of the best Rosé wines from southern France. While Grenache is closely associated with the Rhône, it’s actually native to Spain, where it is known as Garnacha. This variety is still used primarily in blends in the USA, but luckily, more varietal wines are now arriving.
Grenache Blanc – This white variety is the sibling of Grenache Noir (most often referred to simply as Grenache) and is a native of Spain. It ranks fourth among white varieties in France and is an important varietal in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. While this grape is most often used as a blending grape, it can perform solo, producing wines with crisp orchard-fruit flavors and a refreshing dose of acidity.
Marsanne – A popular white variety from France’s Rhône region, where it is an important blending component in both Southern and Northern appellations of the region. Marsanne has gained popularity in the New World in recent decades, where it produces dry, fruity wines with great aromatic qualities.
Mourvedre – An important red wine variety is grown in warm climates in southern France, often blended with Cinsault and Grenache. It’s a bold, full-bodied, and rustic grape that adds power and structure to red blends. While this is an important variety in the Rhône, Mourvèdre is native to Spain, where it is known as Monastrell. Mourvedre produces wines with density, power, and a generous dose of acidity. In California, this variety was originally known as Mataro and is used almost exclusively in blends. Mourvedre has earned a cult following here thanks largely to the “Rhone Rangers.”
Picpoul – This unique, and likely ancient, white variety is native to the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Picpoul is one of the 13 permitted varietals in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Picpoul wines are high in acidity, light-bodied, and often exhibit citrus and green-apple flavors. While Picpoul is an important blending grape, wines made exclusively, or predominantly with Picpoul are fragrant, exotic, and delicious. Seek out a bottle!
Roussanne – A white varietal associated with France’s Rhône region, where it is an important blending component in both Southern and Northern appellations of the region. Roussanne contributes unique and racy fruit aromas and flavors, as well as great acidity. The grape is also prized for its ability to age far better than the average white varietal.
Syrah – Syrah is an important red wine grape grown in France’s Rhône region, where it is primarily responsible for the wines of the Northern Rhône and is important in blends in the Southern Rhône. In recent decades, Syrah, synonymous with Shiraz, has become a major player in the New World, most notably in Australia and the USA. At its best, Syrah can produce some of the most profound red wines in the world. The wines are packed with dense berry flavors and aromas, with tannins and structure that add complexity and longevity. Many of the best Syrah wines have complementary flavors of earth, smoked meats, and leather.
Viognier – Viognier is known as the Rhône’s exotic white varietal. It is most at home in the Condrieu appellation, where it produces wines with incomparable aromas and flavors reminiscent of a unique hybrid of apricot, peach, and lush tropical fruits. Viognier is best grown in cooler climates, where it retains its vibrant acidity, which can fade when it becomes overripe.
We encourage you to scan our comprehensive Grape Encyclopedia.
If you are hungry for more Rhône wine information, visit the Rhône Valley Vineyards website.
For more insights on grape varietals and the world of wine, may we suggest Be A Beverage Expert (BABE).