Get to know: Rhône Valley

The Rhône Valley is in the South East of France and follows the Rhône river as it flows from the Alps all the way down to the Mediterranean sea. This area has a long history of wine and is divided into two distinct areas. The Northern Rhône is known for rich, full-bodied savoury reds with a lot of finesse made using the Syrah grape. The Southern Rhône is more open and has a more Mediterranean climate with long warm summers and mild winters. There is a cooling influence of the 'Mistral' wind that blows through the valley. The most famous appellation here is Chateauneuf-Du-Pape (The Pope's New Castle) which can be made with up to 14 different grape varieties. The main ones are Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvedre and they create big wines with lots of spicy dark fruits.