Rhone Valley–what is its wine making history ?
The Rhone Valley, located in southeastern France, is one of the world’s most famous wine regions. Its history of winemaking dates back to the Roman era, when vineyards were first established along the banks of the Rhone River. Today, the region is known for its diverse range of grape varietals, unique wine aging practices, and distinct microclimates.
Early History
Winemaking in the Rhone Valley has been documented as far back as the 1st century BCE, when the region was under Roman rule. The Romans recognized the area’s potential for grape cultivation and established vineyards throughout the region. Over the centuries, the region’s winemaking tradition continued to thrive, with many monasteries and noble families establishing their own vineyards.
Grape Varietals
The Rhone Valley is known for its diverse range of grape varietals, which are separated into two distinct regions: the Northern Rhone and the Southern Rhone. In the Northern Rhone, the most famous grape varietal is Syrah, which produces rich, full-bodied red wines with flavors of blackberry, plum, and spice. Other grape varietals grown in the Northern Rhone include Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne, which are used to produce white wines with floral aromas and flavors of peach and apricot.
In the Southern Rhone, the most popular grape varietals include Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, which are used to produce the region’s famous red blends. These wines are often blended with other grape varietals such as Cinsault and Carignan. White wines from the Southern Rhone are typically blends of Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Grenache Blanc.
Wine Aging Practices
The Rhone Valley is known for its unique wine aging practices, which often involve aging wines in large oak barrels called foudres. These barrels are much larger than the standard oak barrels used in other wine regions, and are often over 100 years old. The use of foudres allows for slow, gentle aging of the wines, which helps to preserve the wine’s fruit flavors and aromas.
In addition to foudres, the Rhone Valley also utilizes smaller oak barrels for aging some of its wines. These barrels are typically made from French oak and are used to age wines that require a more pronounced oak flavor.
Microclimates
The Rhone Valley’s unique geography and topography has resulted in a diverse range of microclimates throughout the region. The Northern Rhone is known for its steep, rocky slopes and cool, continental climate, while the Southern Rhone has a more Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters.
One of the most famous sub-regions in the Rhone Valley is Chateauneuf-du-Pape, located in the Southern Rhone. This region is known for its rocky soil, which is covered in large, round stones called galets. The stones help to retain heat and reflect it back onto the vines, which helps to ripen the grapes and produce wines with intense flavors and aromas.
Conclusion
The Rhone Valley has a rich history of winemaking dating back to the Roman era. Today, the region is known for its diverse range of grape varietals, unique wine aging practices, and distinct microclimates. From the full-bodied Syrah wines of the Northern Rhone to the famous blends of the Southern Rhone, the wines of the Rhone Valley continue to captivate wine lovers around the world. -Zeus Ramos
