RHÔNE - THE AREA
Rhône Wine Tasting Tours, Holidays and Trips
The Rhône Valley became a prestigious wine region upon arrival of the Romans in 125B C, when it is said that the Syrah and Viognier grapes were introduced to the region. After a lull in popularity, the Rhône regained notoriety in the 13th Century when the Pope moved to Avignon. Pope John XXII even had a castle built at Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In the 16th and 17th Centuries various rules were introduced in an attempt to protect the region’s wines, the first being in 1650. In 1737, the King demanded that all casks destined for resale be branded C.D.R.
Nowadays, the Rhône consists of 6000 estates and 76,330 hectares and is the second largest AOC wine region in terms of surface and production. It is noted as the gastronomic centre of France. Regional specialities include Lyon sausage, “rosette” salami, coq au vin and quenelles. The region is also famous for its Bresse poultry and many varieties of cheese such as Tomme de Savoie, Bleu de Bresse and Vacherin and famous restaurants such as Paul Bocuse enrich the region. The mighty and majestic Rhône is one of the major rivers of Europe, originating in Switzerland and running from there through the South-Eastern corner of France.
The History of the Southern Rhône is rich and varied. The towns of Orange and Vaison la Romaine have significant Roman heritage. The theatre in Orange is the best preserved example in Europe. The capital of the department is Avignon and whilst this city was important in Roman times, it is the structures of the 12th-14th Centuries for which it is justifiably famous. In particular, Avignon was the seat of the papacy from 1309-1377 and the Pope’s Palace dates from this period. It was at this time that the whole of the region was acquired by the Catholic Church and many of its vineyards were planted. In addition, the city is famous for the St Benezet bridge (Pont d’Avignon), of which just four of the original 22 arches remain.
The land of Vaucluse is where the river Rhône meanders into the beautiful countryside of Provence. The region enjoys an enviable 2600 hours of Mediterranean sunshine per year, whilst the mistral often blows through the valley to provide a welcome breeze in the heat of the day.
Once outside the towns, the region boasts some spectacular scenery and attractive villages. The Dentelles rise up behind the villages of Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise, while the Mont Ventoux provides an even more spectacular backdrop to the region. In addition to the vineyards on the slopes, this area is home to 45% of the lavender that is grown in France and for gastronomes, it is also the source of almost ¾ of all French truffles.
The Northern Rhône’s climate is controlled by the mistral wind which defines its harsh winters and warm summers. Lyon, the second biggest metropolis is the capital of the region. A major centre of business with a reputation as the French capital of gastronomy, the three million inhabitants of its urban area represent half of the Rhône-Alpes region. The city is famed for its historical and architectural landmarks and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.