Northern Rhône

The home of Syrah, the noble variety renowned for its peppery, tannic qualities which lend themselves well to ageing. Rhône Syrah is rich and complex, with top wines rivalling the Crus Classés of Bordeaux and the Grands Crus of Burgundy in finesse.

The very best appellations are Côte Rôtie and Hermitage, although hilltop producers in St Joseph (Pierre Gaillard amongst others) often have the raw materials to make great wines too. The region has seen some excellent vintages in recent decades with a corresponding improvement in wine quality. Generally speaking, as long as the estate is reputable, the consumer is generally spoilt for choice. White wines are made from the elegant Roussanne and Marsanne except in Condrieu and Château Grillet where they are made from the exquisite (albeit expensive to produce) Viognier.