Level 3 · Wine & Spirits Exam Prep
France: Rhône Valley
Northern and southern Rhône — Syrah, Grenache blends, and Viognier.
Topics covered
- Côte-Rôtie
- Hermitage
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Condrieu
Level 3 Study Guide
Rhône Valley — Northern and Southern
Quick Revision
- N. Rhône: Syrah reds; Viognier/Marsanne whites
- Côte-Rôtie: Syrah + up to 20% Viognier
- Hermitage: prestigious; red + white
- S. Rhône: Grenache-led GSM blends
- ChNdP: 13 varieties, galets roulés
- Gigondas, Vacqueyras: S. Rhône value appellations
Key Facts for the Exam
- Northern Rhône: Syrah only for reds (Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Cornas)
- Northern Rhône whites: Viognier (Condrieu), Marsanne + Roussanne (Hermitage Blanc)
- Côte-Rôtie: Syrah co-fermented with up to 20% Viognier; "Côte Blonde" and "Côte Brune" slopes
- Southern Rhône: Grenache-led GSM blends; Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape: up to 13 permitted varieties; minimum 12.5% ABV; distinctive galets roulés
- Southern Rhône whites: Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc; Viognier increasingly used
Level 3 Exam Tips
- 1.Northern Rhône = Syrah-only for reds. Southern Rhône = Grenache-led blends. This divide is fundamental.
- 2.Viognier in Côte-Rôtie: adds perfume and colour stability — not for sweetness or weight.
- 3.Hermitage is one of France's greatest wines — both red (Syrah) and white (Marsanne/Roussanne).
- 4.Galets roulés = large rounded stones in Châteauneuf — retain heat, reflect sunlight, drain well.
Common Exam Mistakes
- ✗Saying Southern Rhône uses only Grenache — it allows blending with Syrah, Mourvèdre, and many others
- ✗Forgetting Northern Rhône produces significant whites (Condrieu/Viognier and Hermitage Blanc)
- ✗Placing Crozes-Hermitage in the Southern Rhône — it is the largest Northern Rhône appellation
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine distinctive?
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape is known for powerful, high-alcohol red wines (often 14–15% ABV) from Grenache-led blends. The region allows up to 13 grape varieties. Its vineyards are covered in galets roulés — large rounded stones that retain heat during the day and radiate it back to the vines at night, aiding ripening. The terroir produces rich, spicy, full-bodied wines with excellent ageing potential.