Wines have been made in
the Rhône Valley since the time of the Romans,
who left behind the ruins of aqueducts and amphitheaters.
The Rhône Valley stretches for 140 miles
from Lyon to Avignon and is divided into two regions:
north and south.
The wines of the north and south are as dramatically
different as the climate and the landscape The
warm-weather wines of the south tend to be thick,
dark, rich blends of as many as nine different
red grape varieties. Wines of the southern Rhône
also include sweet fortified Muscats from Beaumes-de-Venise,
and the burly reds and aromatic whites of the
sun-baked vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
In the cooler north, fragrant Viognier of Condrieu
and the exotic Marsanne/Roussanne blend of white
Hermitage are among the elegant whites. Red Hermitage,
made from Syrah, is one of the world's great wines,
at one time commanding prices to rival the First
Growths of Bordeaux.
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