Rhône Septentrional

The northern Rhône follows a narrow river corridor from Côte-Rôtie to Saint-Péray. Vineyards often cling to steep terraces above the water, with granite and other hard rock close to the surface. Syrah is the only red grape that matters in the main appellations, producing wines that can combine dark fruit, pepper, flowers, smoke and savoury depth. The whites shift between Viognier and the Marsanne-Roussanne pair.

Eight names divide a short stretch of river

Côte-Rôtie opens the chain with Syrah and a possible small share of Viognier. Condrieu and Château-Grillet are Viognier country. Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage cover wider, more varied ground. Hermitage concentrates red and white wine on one famous hill. Cornas returns to pure Syrah with a stern reputation, while Saint-Péray closes the sequence with still and sparkling whites.

The appellation usually tells you the grape

Cornas means red Syrah. Condrieu means white Viognier. Côte-Rôtie, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage and Hermitage can require a colour check because some also make white wine. Northern Rhône labels may add a vineyard or lieu-dit, but producer and appellation are the most useful first read. The word Rhône alone does not tell you north or south.