Level 5 · Lesson 6
The Rhône: North, South and the Exceptions
14:56C38
Glossary
Terms that have earned their place
- Syrah
- A red grape strongly associated with the northern Rhône, often offering dark fruit, peppery notes and firm structure.
- Grenache
- A major southern Rhône red grape, commonly contributing ripe fruit, alcohol and a rounded texture.
- Viognier
- An aromatic white grape associated with Condrieu, often suggesting stone fruit and flowers with a broad texture.
Keep digging
Sources and further reading
- Condrieu: Viognier, northern location, continental plus Mediterranean influence, decline and rebuilding.
- Saint-Joseph geography, semi-continental/Mediterranean influences and white-wine context.
- Southern example modified by elevation and winds; no uniform southern style.
- Guigal founded 1946; later expansion across northern and southern appellations.
- Rhône 2024 education kit — original link unavailable; use the current resources below
- Public-domain country/river geometry; town locators and approximate physical-feature markers, not vineyard boundaries.
- E. Guigal Condrieu / E. Guigal Saint-Joseph Rouge / E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rouge / E. Guigal Gigondas Rouge — producer range reference; match actual edition
- E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage Rouge — Producer range reference; match actual vintage and market edition before service
- Principal grape identities, typical expression and regional roles; original tasting prompts.
- Syrah is thought to originate in the northern Rhône or nearby Dauphiné. Its parents are Mondeuse blanche and Dureza, rather than a documented Persian import.
- Grenache originated in Spain before becoming established in southern France.
- Mourvèdre also originated in Spain, where Monastrell is its familiar name.
- Cinsault is thought to come from Provence.
- Carignan originated in Spain, probably Aragon.
- Viognier is native to the northern Rhône.
- Marsanne comes from the northern Rhône.
- Roussanne also comes from the northern Rhône.
- Inter Rhône — current official education kits (French and English)
Sources support the teaching model; they do not make promotional regional descriptions universal bottle guarantees.