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Rhône Part 1: The Rhône Region and its History

© Sunny Willmington-Wight

Many fine wine-producing regions can be found on a river and of course Rhône is no exception. The River Rhône starts in the Alps of Switzerland and moves south towards the Mediterranean and ultimately through the region that is its namesake. The Rhône region is considered as one entire region but in fact it divides naturally into two sections, which are quite distinct in their own way. Distinct by climate and topography, which ultimately means that their grapes and wine will differ in many ways. But more on that later.

The history of Côtes du Rhône is as lengthy as any region of France, and if you think that it has a great reputation today you will be pleased to know that this reputation (similar to Burgundy and Bordeaux) has existed throughout time. In fact continuing with that simile with the deep reds of Rhône where often blended with weaker wines of Burgundy and Bordeaux (this was around the 16/1700’s) - and the reds were specifically the powerful examples that came from the Hermitage region in N. Rhône – customers who saw a label reading “Bordeaux Ermitage”, for example, took that to mean that the wine had been “strengthened”! What a great compliment to the wines of Hermitage that they could only improve Bordeaux or Burgundy!

As with many river regions, the river is always beneficial to any viticultural operations in its vicinity. Primarily of course it moderates the climate – similar to Bordeaux where most fine wine producers can be found situated on the banks of a river. Further, a river enhances trade, especially during times of primitive forms of transportation. The Roman Empire enhanced upon the initial beginnings of the Phocaeans who had planted vines in the South of France as early as the 6th Century BC. Planting vineyards near rivers (for ease of trade and transportation) they started where the River Rhône met the Med and moved onwards and upwards throughout Gaul (the then name for France). Wine has been running through the River Rhône for about 2500 years – which could explain the great expertise and quality wine that emerges from this region today.

This expertise dictates what will be grown and where. Experience of the weather has resulted in the naming of a certain predictable wind, which blows through the Northern region. This is the ‘Mistral’. It is a very significant aspect to the climate and is expected and accounted for. It is a powerful wind with a high chill factor and so vines must be staked for protection – many vineyards have surrounded themselves in protective trees such as poplar and cypress. It must be said that the Mistral has a good result from the point of view of that it dries out the vines – significantly reducing risks of rot and mildew!

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