Southern Rhône

Southern Rhône wine is built on Grenache — a grape that delivers ripe red fruit, spicy and herbal character, generous alcohol, and soft tannins in a pale ruby glass. This is the bigger half of the Rhône Valley by a considerable distance, with 65,000 hectares under vine compared to just 4,200 in the north, and that scale means reliable availability across styles and price points. There is a lot to explore here, and the appellation structure makes it easy to navigate.

Why choose Southern Rhône wine?

The southern Rhône is where Grenache-dominant blends are easiest to find at every level — because this single region accounts for around 94% of all Rhône production. The appellation hierarchy does the hard work for you: start with a Côtes du Rhône AOC for an approachable, everyday red, step up to the Villages tier of that same AOC when you want more concentration and character, or go straight to a named cru — Gigondas, Cairanne, or Châteauneuf-du-Pape — when the occasion calls for something serious. That ladder from entry-level to prestige cru, all within the same region and the same grape family, is what sets the southern Rhône apart from neighbours like the northern Rhône, where production is scarce and prices reflect it. The style suits a lamb roast, a slow-braised shoulder, or a cheeseboard as naturally as any red on the market. If you want Grenache-dominant blends from a vast, easy-to-find appellation hierarchy, our Southern Rhône selection starts here →

How much of Rhône wine is red versus rosé or white?

The Rhône produces more AOC wine than any French region except Bordeaux. In 2020, 75% was red, 16% rosé, and 9% white — so red is firmly the main event.

Does the southern Rhône make anything other than dry red wine?

Yes. The region produces sweet vin doux naturel — a Muscat version from Beaumes-de-Venise and varied colours and styles made from the Grenache family in Rasteau.

Is southern Rhône wine only for experienced wine drinkers?

Not at all. The Côtes du Rhône AOC tier is designed for everyday drinking, with soft tannins and ripe fruit that make Grenache-based blends approachable without any prior knowledge of the region.