The Rhône valley is split into two distinct parts. The change of terrain from the precipitous, crag-topped vineyards of the North (Valence) to the sprawling vineyards of the South (Avignon) results in very different wines. The North makes chiefly red wines, distinguished and elegant, dominated by the syrah grape which makes the blackest most pungent red wine in France. The two most popular northern Rhône reds are Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie. The change in terrain and climate in the South result in full flavoured wine which is fleshier, deeper and softer than the wines of the North. |