Rhone Red

Rhône Red

The Rhône is two regions that share a river and little else. The northern Rhône is Syrah — one grape, steep granite slopes, tiny appellations. The southern Rhône is Grenache-led blends across a much larger, flatter, warmer area.

North

Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage are the two benchmarks, both capable of decades. Cornas is the darkest and most tannic. Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph sit below them on flatter land and are the practical way into northern Syrah — the same grape and much the same character at a third of the money.

South

Châteauneuf-du-Pape leads, with Gigondas and Vacqueyras immediately behind it using the same grapes for roughly half the price. Côtes du Rhône Villages and Côtes du Rhône form the base — and are among the most reliable inexpensive reds on any list.

What to expect

Northern Syrah is savoury, peppery and firm; southern Grenache blends are rounder, riper and higher in alcohol. Neither is an aperitif wine. If you are buying one bottle to learn the difference, take a Crozes-Hermitage and a Côtes du Rhône Villages and open them together.

Serving

16–18°C. Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Cornas and Châteauneuf want an hour decanted; the village appellations do not.

On Sale

Chateau de la Font du Loup Rouge 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape (1x75cl)

HK$398.00

HK$398.00 ~~HK$688.00~~

Located at one of the highest points in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château Font du Loup, which translates...

On Sale

Domaine Courbis Les Eygats Cornas 1997 (1x75cl)

HK$638.00

HK$638.00 ~~HK$658.00~~

On Sale

Domaine Aime Arnoux Selection Parcellaire Gigondas 2022 (1x75cl)

HK$288.00

HK$288.00 ~~HK$358.00~~

The Gigondas Vieilles Vignes Sélection Parcellaire 2022 is made up of 60% Grenache and 40%...

On Sale

Domaine Aime Arnoux Selection Parcellaire Cotes du Rhone 2023 (1x75cl)

HK$168.00

HK$168.00 ~~HK$238.00~~

This cuvée comes from old vines (Grenache, Syral, Mourvèdre, Terret Noir) which offer exceptional concentration....

On Sale

Domaine les Pallieres Les Racines Gigondas 2011 (1x75cl)

HK$448.00

HK$448.00 ~~HK$551.00~~

On Sale

Domaine Aime Arnoux Selection Parcellaire Chateauneuf du Pape 2022 (1x75cl)

HK$398.00

HK$398.00 ~~HK$468.00~~

SOILS Large rounded stones (100%) GRAPE VARIETIES Grenache noir (60%)Mourvèdre (10%) Syrah (30%) WINEMAKING PROCESS Stainless steel tank (100%) Fermentation...