The Rhône is divided into the north and south regions, with the southern Rhône being responsible for about 95% of the production. This is where the value wines can be found.

The south offers several grapes, and blending is key here. Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre are used in the traditional Côtes du Rhône blend, and for under $20, you can find some wonderfully complex reds with red and black fruits, herbs, and pepper. They’re great to pair with everything from barbecue to beef, pork, & pizza.

When you’re ready to explore the big boys of the southern Rhone, head to Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. They’re both stunning wines, with the CDP being a bit softer on the palate and the Gigondas being a bit richer and weightier. Both are blends.

And yes…there are also white and rosé wines in the southern Rhône.

The white Côtes du Rhônes are not your typical acidic whites, being a bit rounder and mouth filling…in the vein of a Chardonnay, without the butter or wood. Grapes are usually Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier and a host of other lesser-known varietals which are used for blending. They’re still refreshing & aromatic, instead of leading with citrus flavors, peach and apricot start the party.

The rosés are a bit deeper in color and fuller bodied than the rosés from the Languedoc or Loire. I consider these my “winter and fall rosés.”

Off to the northern Rhône! This is where the big, bold, Syrah-based wines reign supreme.

Again, production in the northern Rhône is only about five percent of the production…but what they do produce is breathtaking. If big, powerful reds are your thing and you just took a ribeye off the grill, have I got a few wines for you!

In the northern Rhône, Syrah is the only red grape that is permitted, and that is OK.

A few of the appellations that produce these monsters are St. Joseph, Côte Rotie, Hermitage and Crozes Hermitage. These are bold, rich wines, showing an herbal character, with plum and dark fruit, black pepper and hints of smoked meat. You’ll pay a fair price for these Syrah-based wines, but they will fill that need for a big red with a completely different flavor profile than the big Cabs from California.

Whites, again, are like nothing you have ever tried.

The first region that comes to mind is Condrieu. It’s 100 percent Viognier, with exotic aromas and flavors of peach, apricot, and honeysuckle. The wines are full-bodied, with a lush, oily texture…as unique a white wine as you will find.

Another to try would be Hermitage Blanc, a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne. This is one of the world’s most powerful white wines, showing notes of beeswax, hazelnut, and acacia. Both whites are fairly rare, but worth the search.

All this said, I suggest that you definitely put the Rhône down as a region to explore. With great value and big robust wines, the Rhône truly has it going on.

Click below to see some of our favorite suggestions for Rhône wines…

Mike Stolese is the owner of Vermont Wine Merchants, a wholesale distribution company based in Burlington.