From Côte-Rôtie to Blanquette de Limoux, through the rosés of Provence to the rich, full-bodied reds of the Côtes du Rhône and the Rhone Valley’s prestigious wines of Gigondas, Crozes-Hermitage and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the vineyards along and inland from the Mediterranean in the south of France offer an amazing breadth of excellent wines.
Discover their diversity with Terra Vitis wines.
The celebrated Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines can be made with 13 grape varieties.
The Mistral, a strong, dry wind that sweeps across Provence, is a natural way to keep grapevines free of mildew and other diseases caused by damp conditions.
There are more grape varieties in Languedoc-Roussillon – an area that extends from around Montpellier to the Spanish border – than anywhere else in the world.
An area with many contrasting terroirs, the Rhône Valley gives rise to wines of great diversity and quality. Red wines dominate (nearly 80% of production), followed by rosés, whites and sparkling wines.
The Rhône Valley winegrowing region stretches for over 200 km between Vienne in the north and Avignon in the south. This includes some 70,000 hectares of vineyards, making this the second largest winegrowing region in area after Bordeaux.
This large area is divided into two distinct winegrowing regions: the northern Côtes du Rhône and the southern Côtes du Rhône. The northern area stretches from Vienne to Valence, and the southern area extends from Montélimar to Avignon. In the northern Côtes du Rhône, the terroir has clay, rocky or granite soils, while the southern Côtes du Rhône terroir has sandy, limestone, clay or rocky soils. The vegetation is also very different in the south, with typical Mediterranean scrubland featuring aromatic plants such as lavender and rosemary, and umbrella pines, which are not found in the northern Rhône Valley. The areas also have different climates, with a generally warm, sunny, semi-continental climate to the north, dotted with specific microclimates, and a hot, very dry Mediterranean climate to the south, swept by the Mistral wind.
Different grape varieties are grown in the northern and southern part of the Rhône Valley.
Four grape varieties are grown in the northern Rhône Valley:
Syrah and Viognier are often used to make single-varietal wines, and sometimes a little Viognier is added to Côte-Rôtie red wines, which are predominantly Syrah. Marsanne and Roussanne are often used in blends.
The grape varieties are more diversified in the southern Rhône Valley, with certain varieties grown only in a single appellation (such as Calitor, which is used exclusively to make Tavel rosés). For red and rosé wines, the main grape varieties are:
White wines (produced in smaller volumes) are made from:
In the northern Rhône Valley, Syrah produces powerful, tannic wines with notes of blackcurrant and a slightly spicy, peppery aroma. The tannins soften over the years, and wines from renowned appellations such as Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, etc. can be laid down.
The white wines made in Condrieu, Saint-Péray and Château-Grillet are highly aromatic, with a floral or fruity bouquet.
Sparkling wines such as Clairette de Die and Crémant de Die, made with Clairette and Muscat, are produced in the region near Die.
In the southern Rhône Valley, the red wines are just as powerful and full-bodied, with Grenache adding roundness and freshness. Prestigious appellations in this region include Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. In Rasteau, a sweet fortified red wine (vin doux naturel) is made.
The region’s white wines are less common, often very round in character, and the intensity of the climate can limit their freshness.
Best known for its rosés, the winegrowing region of Provence also warrants a visit for its red and white wines.
Lying between the Alps and the Mediterranean, Provence’s wine region stretches over 200 km between Avignon in the west and Saint-Raphaël in the east, with two small outposts north of Nice, near Bellet and Villars-sur-Var.
Provence’s vineyards grow in two distinct terroirs, with different geology and vegetation. To the west and north, around the mountains of Sainte-Baume, the Alpilles and the Alpes de Haute-Provence, the limestone soils support more open Mediterranean scrubland. To the east, between Toulon and Saint-Raphaël, the acidic soils support denser, thorny scrub. The Mediterranean climate is dry and hot in the summer, and very sunny all year round. The northern part of the region is influenced by its proximity to the Alpes de Haute-Provence, so it is less hot, but still dry.
A large number of grape varieties thrive in Provence under the Mediterranean sun. More than 20 grape varieties can be blended in varying proportions, depending on the appellation. The main grape varieties used in reds and rosés are:
The main grape varieties used in whites include:
Of the wines produced in Provence, rosés are by far the most well known, and the most prolific. The rosés of Coteaux Varois, Côtes de Provence and Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence are supple, round and well balanced. Different terroirs give notes of white flowers, exotic fruit, citrus and sometimes marshmallow. More complex, tannic rosés are also produced, which make perfect pairings for summer meals.
The region’s red wines are full-bodied and structured, with good ageing potential and hints of spice and black fruit on the nose.
Finally, the white wines of Provence are quite expressive, full of freshness, and have a light touch of aniseed (particularly those made from the Rolle grape variety).
The extensive Languedoc-Roussillon wine region includes some 20 appellations, with an enviable range to please every palate: reds, whites, rosés, sparkling and sweet dessert wines.
Straddling higher elevations inland to the shore of the Mediterranean, the Languedoc wine region stretches along the coast from above Montpellier to below Narbonne. Between this and the Spanish border lies the smaller Roussillon wine region around Perpignan. In Languedoc-Roussillon, there are two very distinct types of land: the plains along the coast rising to rugged terrain further inland. This geographical area includes flat coastland dotted with lagoons, mountains, foothills and Mediterranean scrubland. The region’s subsoils and soils are also extremely varied, resulting in an incredible wealth of terroirs.
The climate is fairly uniform, with little and irregular rainfall, and a hot and dry wind (the Tramontane) as well as a cool and wet wind (the Marin). There is some climate variation between the coast and the higher elevations.
A number of grape varieties are grown in Languedoc-Roussillon, most of which are also commonly found in the Rhône Valley (Carignan is the exception). The main varieties used in red and rosé wines include:
To these can be added so-called “secondary” grape varieties, used more occasionally in certain appellations: Counoise, Morrastel, Lledoner Pelut (also known as Hairy Grenache), etc.
The white wines of the region are mainly blends. The range of grape varieties available is large, allowing winemakers to create a rich and varied palette of aromas. The most common varieties are Chardonnay and Grenache Blanc, but the many others include:
This winegrowing region is vast, producing a multitude of red, rosé, white, sweet and sparkling wines in a number of appellations. Red wine lovers will appreciate the powerful, warm wines of Corbières, Saint-Chinian and Minervois, as well as the structured, subtle reds of Fitou and Faugères. Fresher, more delicate reds are produced inland and at higher altitudes, such as those from Pic Saint Loup and the Terrasses du Larzac.
The region is also home to excellent rosés, to be savoured under the Mediterranean sun.
If you have a soft spot for dry whites, Clairette du Languedoc and Picpoul de Pinet are the perfect choice – try them with oysters from the nearby lagoon for a 100% local pairing.
Sweet fortified wines (vin doux naturel) include Muscat de Frontignan, Maury and Banyuls. From the western edge of the winegrowing region, the sparkling wines Blanquette de Limoux and Crémant de Limoux are bright, crisp and seductive with notes of green apple and spring flowers.
The Rhône Valley, Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon have plenty to offer wine-loving visitors. There are a number of wine routes, whether you choose to walk, cycle or drive, allowing you to discover the diversity of the wine produced here, from the most famous estates to the best-kept secrets. Wine tastings, winery tours, vineyard walks, wining and dining experiences: you’ll be seduced by the region’s gastronomy, culture and nature as you wend your way around the south of France.
The winegrowing regions around the Mediterranean are diverse, with an extraordinary range of wines to discover. Founded in 2000, the Terra Vitis Rhône Méditerranée regional branch unites some 60 independent winemakers and almost 1,000 cooperative winegrowers who all share the common value of producing wine sustainably, for today and for the future.
Official website of Rhône Valley wines
Official website of Provence wines
Official website of Languedoc wines
Official website of Roussillon wines
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