The Côtes-du-Rhône region

Châteauneuf-du-Pape ranks among the southern grand crus of the Côtes-du-Rhône wines. One of the largest French AOC regions, Côtes-du-Rhône is among the top appellations in terms of vine growing area and wine production.
Between Vienne and Valence, vineyards cover the right bank of the Rhône river in the Rhône, Loire and Ardèche departements.
On the left bank, vines grow on the steep hill-sides surrounding Tain l’Hermitage. These various terroirs all have in common a granite soil and a moderate continental climate. They produce the renowned northern crus of Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Saint Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas, etc.

From Montélimar to Avignon, vines grow on a limestone soil covered with alluvia. Dry and hot, the climate is Mediterranean and gives birth to the southern grands crus of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Lirac and Tavel.