Where to taste Syrah in Rhone Valley: the estates that grow it, how the region expresses the grape, and how to book a visit.

The cellar

Syrah from Rhone Valley

All Rhone Valley wines

The 12 highest-rated of 87 bottles with at least 15% Syrah in the blend.

Syrah estates in Rhone Valley

E. Guigal ★ 5.0

Cote-Rotie AOC, Condrieu AOC, Hermitage AOC, Cotes du Rhone AOCSyrah, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, GrenacheFounded 1946Cote-Rotie

Ampuis-based negociant and domaine celebrated for the single-vineyard Cote-Rotie La La La trilogy from old Syrah vines.

Tasting: Visits and tastings at Chateau d'Ampuis by appointment

Signature wines: Cote-Rotie La Mouline, Cote-Rotie La Landonne, Cote-Rotie La Turque

Tip: The La La La trilogy (La Mouline, La Landonne, La Turque) are allocated; the Chateau d'Ampuis Cote-Rotie is the most accessible flagship.

M. Chapoutier ★ 4.9

Hermitage AOC, Crozes-Hermitage AOC, Cotes du Rhone AOCSyrah, Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache, ViognierFounded 1808Demeter CertifiedECOCERTHermitage

Tain-l'Hermitage negociant under biodynamic conversion since the 1990s, producing benchmark Hermitage Syrah and rare Marsanne whites.

Tasting: Open tasting room in Tain-l'Hermitage; cellar tours by appointment

Signature wines: Ermitage Le Pavillon, Ermitage De l'Oree Blanc

Tip: The Braille labels on all bottles reflect the family's commitment to accessibility. The tasting room in town is walk-in friendly.

Paul Jaboulet Aine ★ 4.8

Hermitage AOC, Crozes-Hermitage AOC, Cotes du Rhone AOCSyrah, Marsanne, Roussanne, GrenacheFounded 1834ECOCERTCrozes-Hermitage

Paul Jaboulet Aine, founded in 1834, is a Tain-l'Hermitage negociant producing Hermitage La Chapelle Syrah from the hill's granite flanks. Now owned by the Frey family (since 2006).

Tasting: La Cave by appointment; wine shop open in Tain-l'Hermitage

Signature wines: Hermitage La Chapelle

Tip: La Chapelle from top vintages (1961, 1990, 2010) has 30 to 50 year cellaring potential and trades regularly at international auction.

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave ★ 5.0

Hermitage AOC, Saint-Joseph AOCSyrah, MarsanneFounded 1481Biodynamic PracticingECOCERTSaint-Joseph

Mauves family domaine with Hermitage holdings tracing to the 15th century, producing assemblage Hermitage Syrah and Marsanne from multiple lieux-dits.

Tasting: No public visits. Wines sold on allocation via importers.

Signature wines: Hermitage Rouge, Hermitage Blanc

Tip: The Cuvee Cathelin is a single-vineyard rarity made only in exceptional vintages.

Auguste Clape ★ 5.0

Cornas AOCSyrahFounded 1955Cornas

Auguste Clape established the domaine in 1955, farming old Syrah vines on Cornas AOC granite terraces. Pierre-Marie Clape (third generation) continues the traditional whole-cluster fermentation and old-foudre aging.

Tasting: By appointment only at the family cellar in Cornas

Signature wines: Cornas

Tip: Wines are frequently released later than other Cornas producers; patience rewards with extraordinary mineral concentration.

Thierry Allemand ★ 5.0

Cornas AOCSyrahFounded 1982Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDCornas

Cornas artisan with cult status, producing old-vine Syrah from Chaillot (younger vines) and Reynard (centenarian-vine parcel) with zero intervention.

Tasting: No regular public visits. Allocation-only through importers.

Signature wines: Cornas Reynard, Cornas Chaillot

Tip: Production is tiny (under 1,000 cases of Reynard annually); bottles allocated through specialist importers only.

Vincent Paris ★ 4.6

Cornas AOC, Saint-Joseph AOCSyrahFounded 1997ORGANIC CERTIFIEDCornas

Rising star of Cornas farming granite terraces, producing age-worthy Syrah cuvees named after vine age: Granit 30 and Granit 60.

Tasting: By appointment at the domaine

Signature wines: Cornas Granit 30, Cornas Granit 60

Tip: The Granit 60 from old vines is a benchmark for granite-terroir Cornas at a fraction of the price of Clape or Allemand.

Domaine Jamet ★ 4.9

Cote-Rotie AOCSyrah, ViognierFounded 1976Cote-Rotie

Benchmark Cote-Rotie domaine producing a single assemblage from multiple Cote Brune and Cote Blonde terraces, known for depth and finesse.

Tasting: By appointment only at the domaine in Ampuis

Signature wines: Cote-Rotie

Tip: Jean-Paul and Jean-Luc Jamet blend all their lieux-dits into one estate Cote-Rotie that consistently ranks among the appellation's finest.

Yves Cuilleron ★ 4.7

Condrieu AOC, Saint-Joseph AOC, Cote-Rotie AOCViognier, Syrah, Marsanne, RoussanneFounded 1987ECOCERTCondrieu

Leading Condrieu domaine producing multiple single-vineyard Viognier bottlings alongside Cote-Rotie and Saint-Joseph.

Tasting: Open tasting room in Chavanay; appointment recommended

Signature wines: Condrieu Les Chaillets Vieilles Vignes, Condrieu La Petite Cote

Tip: Les Chaillets is the classic cuvee; Vertige is from the highest-altitude vineyards.

Georges Vernay ★ 4.8

Condrieu AOC, Cote-Rotie AOCViognier, SyrahFounded 1953ECOCERTCondrieu

The domaine credited with saving Condrieu from near-extinction in the 1970s, now run by Christine Vernay with benchmark single-vineyard Viognier.

Tasting: Tasting room in Condrieu; open Monday to Saturday, appointments preferred

Signature wines: Condrieu Coteau de Vernon, Condrieu Les Terrasses de l'Empire

Tip: Coteau de Vernon is the top cuvee, from the oldest vines on the Vernay holdings, with 8 to 15 year cellaring potential.

Domaine Combier ★ 4.4

Crozes-Hermitage AOCSyrah, Marsanne, RoussanneFounded 1961Biodynamic PracticingECOCERTCrozes-Hermitage

Organic and biodynamic-practicing Crozes-Hermitage estate with the Clos des Grives single-vineyard Syrah as its standout red.

Tasting: Tasting room open weekdays; Saturday by appointment

Signature wines: Crozes-Hermitage Clos des Grives Rouge

Tip: Among the most reliable value-for-quality bottlings in the Northern Rhone; biodynamic farming at accessible prices.

Domaine Alain Graillot ★ 4.6

Crozes-Hermitage AOCSyrah, Marsanne, RoussanneFounded 1985Crozes-Hermitage

Alain Graillot elevated the Crozes-Hermitage appellation's reputation for serious Syrah beginning in 1985; La Guiraude is the old-vine prestige cuvee.

Tasting: Visits by appointment at the domaine

Signature wines: Crozes-Hermitage Rouge, Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude

Tip: The straightforward Crozes rouge is one of the best value reds in the Northern Rhone.

Domaine Gonon ★ 4.8

Saint-Joseph AOCSyrah, Marsanne, RoussanneFounded 1963Biodynamic PracticingECOCERTSaint-Joseph

Mauves reference estate for Saint-Joseph, run by brothers Pierre and Jean Gonon on old-vine granite parcels; one of the most elegant Saint-Josephs made.

Tasting: By appointment only at the estate in Mauves

Signature wines: Saint-Joseph Rouge, Saint-Joseph Blanc Les Oliviers

Tip: Wines sell out quickly. The Saint-Joseph blanc from Marsanne and Roussanne is a rare and beautiful white.

Chateau de Beaucastel ★ 5.0

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise, Cinsault, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, ClairetteFounded 1549Demeter CertifiedECOCERTChateauneuf-du-Pape

The Perrin family estate at Courthezon, one of the oldest and most biologically farmed CdP properties, using all 13 permitted varieties and producing the benchmark Roussanne Vieilles Vignes blanc.

Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the estate; wine shop on site

Signature wines: Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Chateau de Beaucastel Roussanne Vieilles Vignes, Hommage a Jacques Perrin

Tip: The Hommage a Jacques Perrin is the prestige red; the Roussanne Vieilles Vignes white is the estate's flagship white wine.

Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe ★ 4.9

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Clairette, BourboulencFounded 1898ECOCERTChateauneuf-du-Pape

The Brunier family estate on the La Crau plateau, one of Chateauneuf-du-Pape's most consistent properties, farming the stony galets roulees terrain.

Tasting: Tasting room open Monday to Friday; appointment for groups

Signature wines: Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Rouge, Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Blanc

Tip: The La Crau plateau stones absorb heat and radiate it at night, defining the opulent fruit of Vieux Telegraphe.

Clos des Papes ★ 4.9

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Vaccarese, Counoise, Roussanne, ClairetteFounded 1896ORGANIC CERTIFIEDChateauneuf-du-Pape

Paul-Vincent Avril's family estate, one of Chateauneuf-du-Pape's most consistent producers, making densely structured reds from a large parcel mosaic.

Tasting: By appointment at the estate in Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Signature wines: Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

Tip: The red uses Mourvedre more generously than most CdP estates, lending dark-earth, game-meat character.

Domaine de la Janasse ★ 4.7

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Cotes du Rhone AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, Clairette, Roussanne, Grenache BlancFounded 1973Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Courthezon family estate producing approachable and reliably excellent Chateauneuf-du-Pape including the old-vine Chaupin Grenache cuvee.

Tasting: Tasting room open Monday to Saturday at the domaine

Signature wines: Domaine de la Janasse Chaupin, Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

Tip: Cuvee Chaupin from a single old-vine Grenache parcel is a worth ordering.

Domaine de Marcoux ★ 4.8

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise, Vaccarese, Grenache Blanc, ClairetteFounded 1936Demeter CertifiedECOCERTChateauneuf-du-Pape

Demeter-certified biodynamic Chateauneuf-du-Pape estate producing profound old-vine Grenache of great depth and terroir expression.

Tasting: By appointment at the domaine

Signature wines: Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Tip: The Vieilles Vignes cuvee from centenarian Grenache is among the most complex and age-worthy in CdP.

Domaine Santa Duc ★ 4.7

Gigondas AOCGrenache, Syrah, MourvedreFounded 1874Biodynamic PracticingECOCERTGigondas

Historic Gigondas estate with old-vine parcels across the Dentelles de Montmirail producing structured, spice-laden reds.

Tasting: Tasting room open at the domaine in Gigondas

Signature wines: Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas, Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Prestige des Hautes Garrigues

Tip: Aux Relagnes is the classic Gigondas cuvee; Hautes Garrigues is the prestige single-vineyard bottling.

Chateau de Saint Cosme ★ 4.7

Gigondas AOCGrenache, Syrah, MourvedreFounded 1416ECOCERTGigondas

Gigondas estate with recorded winemaking history to the 15th century, run by Louis Barruol as both domaine and Southern Rhone negociant.

Tasting: Tasting room open at the chateau; appointment recommended

Signature wines: Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Chateau de Saint Cosme Le Claux

Tip: The estate occupies the hillside above the village with Roman-era cellars carved from the rock.

Domaine La Soumade ★ 4.5

Rasteau AOC, Rasteau VDN AOCGrenache, Syrah, MourvedreFounded 1979Rasteau

Rasteau family domaine producing both the dry appellation red and the traditional Rasteau vin doux naturel (VDN), one of the few maintaining this fortified wine tradition.

Tasting: Tasting room open at the domaine in Rasteau

Signature wines: Domaine La Soumade Rasteau Cuvee Confiance, Domaine La Soumade Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel

Tip: The Rasteau VDN is a fortified Grenache in Rancio style; a disappearing tradition well worth seeking out.

Domaine Gourt de Mautens ★ 4.9

IGP VaucluseGrenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise, CamareseFounded 1990Biodynamic PracticingECOCERTRasteau

Jerome Bressy's Rasteau estate, founded in 1996, declassifies its wines to IGP Vaucluse and farms old-vine field blends including rare local varieties such as Camarese, Counoise, and Vaccarese on 14 hectares of clay-limestone.

Tasting: By appointment at the domaine

Signature wines: Domaine Gourt de Mautens IGP Vaucluse

Tip: Production is around 30,000 bottles annually; wines allocated through specialist importers and a small mailing list.

Tardieu-Laurent ★ 4.5

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Gigondas AOC, Hermitage AOC, Cote-Rotie AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Marsanne, Roussanne, ViognierFounded 1994Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Negociant house sourcing old-vine Rhone fruit across both north and south for barrel-aged cuvees of concentration and depth.

Tasting: By appointment; offices in Lourmarin

Signature wines: Tardieu-Laurent Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, Tardieu-Laurent Gigondas

Famille Perrin ★ 4.3

Vinsobres AOC, Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC, Cotes du Rhone AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache Blanc, ViognierFounded 1992Cotes du Rhone

The Perrin family secondary label (Beaucastel owners) producing Cotes du Rhone, Cotes du Rhone Villages and Vinsobres.

Tasting: Tasting room in Orange; open Monday to Saturday

Signature wines: Famille Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone Rouge, Famille Perrin Les Sinards Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Tip: La Vieille Ferme is the entry-level range; the Vinsobres Les Cornuds is a genuinely serious wine at a moderate price.

Domaine de Coyeux ★ 4.4

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC, Cotes du Rhone Villages Beaumes-de-Venise AOCMuscat a Petits Grains, Grenache, SyrahFounded 1976Beaumes-de-Venise

Hillside Beaumes-de-Venise domaine producing the classic Muscat VDN and a dry Grenache-Syrah red.

Tasting: Tasting room open at the domaine; weekdays and Saturday

Signature wines: Domaine de Coyeux Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

Tip: The Muscat VDN is luscious and aromatic, best served as an aperitif or with foie gras and tarte tatin.

Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux ★ 4.8

Vacqueyras AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, CinsaultFounded 1993Biodynamic PracticingECOCERTVacqueyras

Le Sang des Cailloux is a Vacqueyras domaine farming 22 hectares since 1990 under Serge Ferigoule, producing mineral-driven Grenache reds from clay-limestone parcels below the Dentelles de Montmirail.

Tasting: By appointment at the domaine

Signature wines: Le Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras Rouge

Tip: The Vacqueyras frequently outperforms wines twice its price; production is small and it sells quickly.

Chateau La Nerthe ★ 4.7

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache BlancFounded 1560ECOCERTChateauneuf-du-Pape

One of the oldest estates in CdP with winemaking cited to the 16th century, producing refined GSM-led reds and whites from organic farming.

Tasting: Open tasting room and shop at the chateau; cellar tours by appointment

Signature wines: Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Chateau La Nerthe Cuvee des Cadettes Rouge

Tip: The Cuvee des Cadettes white from very old Roussanne and Clairette vines is a rare and age-worthy white CdP.

Delas Freres ★ 4.5

AOCSyrah, Marsanne, RoussanneFounded 1835Hermitage

Delas Freres, founded 1835 in Tain-l'Hermitage, is a leading Northern Rhone negociant producing benchmark Hermitage rouge, Les Bessards cuvee, and Saint-Joseph.

Tasting: By appointment at the Delas Freres cellars in Tain-l'Hermitage

Signature wines: Hermitage Les Bessards, Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes

Tip: The Les Bessards single-parcel Hermitage is the flagship; Saint-Joseph Sainte-Epine is excellent value.

E. Guigal Tasting Room ★ 4.9

Syrah, Viognier, Grenache, MourvèdreAppointment onlyAmpuis, Côte-Rôtie

E. Guigal's historic cellars and tasting room in Ampuis, home of the La Landonne (first vintage 1978), La Mouline (first separately vinified 1966) and La Turque single-vineyard Cote-Roties. Guided cellar tour with vertical tasting available.

Domaine Clape Tasting ★ 4.8

SyrahAppointment onlyCornas, Northern Rhône

The Clape family's legendary Cornas estate cellar, producing some of the Rhone's most sought-after 100% Syrah wines. Pierre-Marie Clape receives small groups by appointment for tasting from barrel and bottle.

Gigondas La Cave Tasting Bar ★ 4.2

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, ClairetteWalk-ins welcomeGigondas village, Southern Rhône

The cooperative cellar shop and tasting bar in Gigondas village, offering the region's broadest access to appellation wines from over 40 local producers. The central port of call for any Gigondas visit.

Cave de Tain Tasting Centre ★ 4.1

Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne, GrenacheWalk-ins welcomeTain-l'Hermitage, Northern Rhône

Cave de Tain cooperative's visitor centre and tasting room. The cooperative farms 1,000 hectares across Northern Rhone appellations; the full range covers Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage and Cornas, including the Nobles Rives prestige tier.

Domaine Romaneaux-Destezet ★ 4.8

Saint-Joseph AOC and Vin de FranceSyrah, Viognier, Marsanne, Serine (ancient Syrah clone)Founded 1998Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDSaint-Joseph AOC / Vin de France (Ardeche)

Herve Souhaut's micro-domaine in the Ardeche produces low-intervention Syrah from ancient Serine vines and Viognier on steep granite terraces. Cult status among natural-wine sommeliers worldwide.

Tip: Contact Herve directly for cellar-door visits; there is no public tasting room calendar. The estate is intentionally difficult to reach and the production is tiny.

Domaine Eric Texier ★ 4.7

Cotes du Rhone AOC and Vin de FranceSyrah, Viognier, Marsanne, GrenacheFounded 1998Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDCotes du Rhone / Breze

Eric Texier makes mineral, low-intervention northern Rhone whites and reds from obscure Ardeche parcels. Former nuclear engineer; domaine founded 1998.

Tip: Texier's wines are allocated through specialist importers. In France, La Cave des Papilles in Paris stocks the full range. The domaine itself does not maintain a public tasting room.

Domaine Gramenon ★ 4.8

Cotes du Rhone AOC and Cotes du Rhone Villages AOCGrenache, Syrah, Cinsault, ClairetteFounded 1978Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDCotes du Rhone Villages / Drome provencale

Maxime Laurent continues her parents' legacy at Gramenon: biodynamically-farmed old-vine Grenache in the Drome that has influenced a generation of Rhone natural-wine producers.

Tip: The domaine hosts periodic open-cellar days. Follow their social media for dates; direct email to the estate works for private visits. Ceps Centenaires is allocated and often sells out from the cellar door within hours of release.

Domaine du Tunnel (Stephane Robert) ★ 4.7

Saint-Peray AOC, Cornas AOCMarsanne, Roussanne, SyrahFounded 1998ORGANIC CERTIFIEDSaint-Peray AOC and Cornas AOC

Stephane Robert's tiny domaine produces the finest Saint-Peray sparkling Marsanne and a remarkable Cornas from certified-organic vines. One of the northern Rhone's best-kept secrets.

Tip: The sparkling Saint-Peray Methode Traditionnelle is produced in tiny quantities and is almost impossible to find in export markets. Visit the cellar door in Saint-Peray for direct allocation.

Domaine Pierre Gonon ★ 4.9

Saint-Joseph AOCSyrah, MarsanneFounded 1956Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDSaint-Joseph AOC

Pierre and Jean Gonon's family estate in Mauves makes organic-farmed Saint-Joseph rouge from old Syrah on granite-schist plus Marsanne-Roussanne whites. Estate dates to 1956.

Tip: Gonon maintains no public website. Contact via telephone or a specialist importer. The wines sell out quickly from the cellar door each year; regulars reserve in advance.

Domaine La Janasse ★ 4.8

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, RoussanneFounded 1967ORGANIC CERTIFIEDChateauneuf-du-Pape AOC

Aimé and Christophe Sabon's organically-farmed Chateauneuf-du-Pape estate is beloved by local sommeliers for quality that outpunches its price, particularly the old-vine Grenache cuvees.

Tip: The Cuvee Chaupin white blends old-vine Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Roussanne. Visit by appointment from Avignon or Courthezon.

E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone rouge ★ 4.3

Cotes du Rhone AOCGrenache, Syrah, MourvedreEUR 9-13 retailstill-red

Guigal's entry-level Cotes du Rhone rouge is one of the most reliable under-EUR15 reds in France. Grenache-led with Syrah for spice and Mourvedre for structure, it offers the classic southern Rhone profile at a supermarket price point.

Tip: The Guigal CDR rouge holds for up to three years from vintage. Buy a case from the Ampuis cellar door and compare it with the much pricier Cote-Rotie to understand the Guigal house style at scale.

Perrin & Fils La Reserve Cotes du Rhone rouge ★ 4.2

Cotes du Rhone AOCGrenache, Syrah, MourvedreEUR 8-12 retailstill-red

The Beaucastel family's entry-level Cotes du Rhone rouge, made under the Perrin et Fils label. Grenache-dominant with savoury herbes de Provence character and approachable tannins. The best-value introduction to the Beaucastel house philosophy.

Tip: The Perrin Reserve rouge is also the gateway to understanding Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre blending. Compare it with Beaucastel proper to trace the terroir and selection effect.

La Vieille Ferme rouge ★ 4.0

Luberon AOCGrenache, Syrah, Carignan, CinsaultEUR 6-10 retailstill-red

La Vieille Ferme is the Perrin family's Luberon-region brand, producing Grenache-dominant reds and whites at under EUR10. The rouge offers Rhone Valley Grenache-Syrah-Carignan-Cinsault character in an entry-level format.

Tip: La Vieille Ferme is the house wine of thousands of French bistros for good reason. The blanc (Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc) is also worth finding.

Delas Freres Saint-Esprit Crozes-Hermitage rouge ★ 4.4

Crozes-Hermitage AOCSyrahEUR 14-19 retailstill-red

Delas Freres is one of the oldest Rhone negociant houses (founded 1835) and their Saint-Esprit Crozes-Hermitage is the most accessible entry into the northern Rhone style: all-Syrah, with black-pepper, smoked-meat and violet aromatics at a price that beats most comparable Syrah worldwide.

Tip: The Saint-Esprit can be drunk within two years of harvest or cellared for five to seven years. It offers an honest Crozes typicity without the oak-weight of the prestige cuvees.

Domaine le Clos des Cazeaux Vacqueyras rouge Cuvee des Templiers ★ 4.3

Vacqueyras AOCGrenache, Syrah, MourvedreEUR 15-20 retailstill-red

Vacqueyras is often overlooked in favour of neighbouring Gigondas but offers comparably structured Grenache-Syrah blends at a lower entry price.

Tip: Vacqueyras sits just north of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and shares the galets roulants soil types in some parcels. The Clos des Cazeaux is one of the most consistent producers in the appellation.

Chateau d'Aqueria Lirac rouge ★ 4.3

Lirac AOCGrenache, Syrah, MourvedreEUR 12-17 retailstill-red

Lirac AOC, on the right bank of the Rhone opposite Chateauneuf-du-Pape, produces structured Grenache-Syrah blends at consistently lower prices than its famous neighbour.

Tip: Lirac is one of the Rhone's best-value appellations. The d'Aqueria white (Grenache Blanc, Clairette) is also worth trying at a similar price.

Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Vignes d'a Cote rouge ★ 4.4

Saint-Joseph AOCSyrahEUR 16-22 retailstill-red

Yves Cuilleron's Les Vignes d'a Cote is the entry-level Saint-Joseph from one of the northern Rhone's most respected producers. All-Syrah from younger vines, it shows the violet, black-pepper, and smoked-olive character of the appellation with less oak weight than the prestige cuvees. Accessible from release, it gives a fair picture of Saint-Joseph's character at under EUR25.

Tip: Cuilleron makes a parallel Condrieu (Terreur de Vergisson) and a full range of Syrah cuvees; a cellar-door visit in Chavanay lets you taste the full ladder from Les Vignes d'a Cote up through the prestige La Petite Cote Condrieu.

Cave de Rasteau Rasteau rouge Ortas Tradition ★ 4.1

Rasteau AOCGrenache, Syrah, MourvedreEUR 10-15 retailstill-red

The Rasteau cooperative's Ortas Tradition rouge is an accessible entry into the Rasteau AOC, which received full communal appellation status in 2010. Grenache-dominant with Syrah and Mourvedre, it shows the southern Rhone's characteristic ripe-fruit and garrigue warmth at a co-operative price.

Tip: The cave co-operative also offers a direct introduction to Rasteau VDN (fortified) styles alongside the dry red. The tasting room in the village is open year-round.

Wine and cheese

Rhone Valley cheese with Syrah

All Rhone Valley pairings
Saint-Marcellin Our pick Côte-Rôtie is Syrah, sometimes with a little Viognier, with high acidity and fine but real tannin. The acidity cuts the cream of a Saint-Marcellin, and a riper, older cheese with its mushroom and forest-floor notes has the depth to meet the wine's tannin. Côte-Rôtie, Rhone Valley: Cote-Rotie La Mouline · Cote-Rotie La Landonne · Cote-Rotie La Turque
Bleu du Vercors-Sassenage Our pick Châteauneuf-du-Pape reds are warm, ripe southern wines with plenty of alcohol and fruit. That ripeness reads almost sweet against the salt and blue veins of a mild, creamy Vercors-Sassenage, and the cheese's fat rounds off the wine's tannin. Châteauneuf-du-Pape rouge, Rhone Valley: Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Rouge · Domaine du Pegau Cuvee Laurence · Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Saint-Félicien Our pick These medium-bodied Crozes-Hermitage Syrahs, raised in used oak, have bright acidity and moderate tannin. The acidity cuts the cream of a Saint-Félicien, and the tannin is gentle enough not to turn bitter against its mild, milky paste. Crozes-Hermitage rouge (medium-bodied cuvées), Rhone Valley: Crozes-Hermitage Rouge · Crozes-Hermitage Equinoxe · Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert
Picodon Our pick The accords-mets-vins.fr guide picks Côtes-du-Rhône rouge for an aged Picodon, for its soft spice and generous fruit, and warns against powerful, tannic wines. These Grenache-led reds, raised in old foudres, keep tannin light enough for the cheese's dry, nutty paste. Côtes-du-Rhône rouge, Rhone Valley: Domaine de la Janasse Cotes du Rhone Terre d'Argile · Famille Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone Rouge · Chateau La Nerthe Les Pallieroudas Cotes du Rhone

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