Recently I have tasted several wines from the Southern Rhône Valley, and I think that when we are looking for a good-value bottle of wine from this region, there are several AOCs we should consider.
Everyone probably knows the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, which is particularly notable in France because it is one of the few appellations where such a large number of grape varieties are permitted in the blend. But because Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the most famous appellation in the Southern Rhône, prices for a delicious, usually Grenache-based blend can be a little bit higher, especially from iconic wineries such as Vieux Télégraphe.
Southern Rhône Valley: what to explore beyond Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Today, let’s look at some villages and appellations near Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where the wines can be very similar, using many of the same grape varieties, while the price of a bottle can sometimes be half that of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. We are looking at red wines today; the whites are going to be for another post.
I would like to show the similarities and differences between these villages and appellations. These are Luberon, Rasteau, Ventoux, Vivarais, Gigondas, Lirac and Vacqueyras.
Of course, there are many more Villages and AOCs — Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, meaning Protected Designation of Origin — in this part of the region, but I think these are the ones we should know about and pay attention to.
Southern Rhône Valley appellations to know
Luberon AOC
Luberon AOC was promoted to AOC status in 1988 and has gone through a significant increase in quality since then. It produces all three colours of wine, but just like elsewhere in the region, red wine is the most important in terms of production.
Red wines need to be a blend of two or more grape varieties, with a minimum of 60% Grenache or Syrah, a maximum of 40% Mourvèdre and 20% Cinsault and Carignan, and can contain a few percent of Counoise, Pinot Noir, Gamay and Picpoul.
The wines are generally red-fruit driven, with great freshness and a lighter body.
Ventoux AOC
Ventoux AOC is a slightly larger appellation than Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas, but its limestone subsoil helps produce lighter wines than in some other parts of the Southern Rhône.
These are fresh, fruity and easy-to-drink reds, sometimes even better when the bottle is cooled slightly before drinking. The main blend is Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault, with up to 30% Carignan. We can also sometimes find a touch of Picpoul Noir, Counoise, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne.
Vivarais AOC
Vivarais AOC is situated on the left bank of the Rhône River in the Ardèche. With mainly limestone soils and a much cooler and wetter climate, it produces some of the lightest reds in the whole Southern Rhône Valley.
It was promoted to AOC status in 1999. The wines are a blend of Grenache and Syrah, with no more than 10% Carignan and Cinsault.
Gigondas AOC
It is a name that maybe you are familiar with because of its Châteauneuf-like full, plummy and spicy wines, with similarly high alcohol and low yields. Gigondas gained AOC status in 1971.
Its blend contains a maximum of 80% Grenache, with a minimum of 15% Syrah and Mourvèdre and a further maximum of 10% of the other grapes allowed in the region, except Carignan.
The best examples can age for 10 years or more in the cellar.
Lirac AOC
Lirac AOC was once much more famous for its rosé wines, but the reds are becoming increasingly important.
In good years, Syrah and Mourvèdre can dominate the wine, giving a fuller-bodied, silky, spicy and plummy style. The blend contains a minimum of 40% Grenache, with a total of 25% Syrah and Mourvèdre, together with additional Carignan and Cinsault.
Vacqueyras AOC
Just like Gigondas, Vacqueyras AOC is a go-to appellation when we are looking for a Châteauneuf-du-Pape-style wine at a better value.
It gained AOC status in 1990 and produces some great-quality, dark, rich and robust wines with black-pepper spiciness. Its reds tend to be more rustic than those from Gigondas.
The wines usually contain at least 50% Grenache and up to 20% in total Syrah and/or Mourvèdre, together with some Cinsault.
The best Southern Rhône Valley alternatives to Châteauneuf-du-Pape
As you can see, these are the Southern Rhône Valley appellations I think are worth seeking out in a wine shop or supermarket. Luberon, Rasteau, Ventoux, Vivarais, Gigondas, Lirac and Vacqueyras each offer something slightly different, while many share the classic Southern Rhône combination of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
And there is still so much more in the Southern Rhône Valley to discover!
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