The Rhone Valley is one of France' most famous wine regions and the both the historic and familial homeland of the Syrah grape aka Shiraz. The region is divided into two main sections Northern and Southern and it is in the Northern portion that we find Syrah as the dominant, even exclusive, red grape for some of the best wines of France. Names like Cote Rotie, Hermitage, Cornas and St. Joseph have long been associated with the finest structured exemplars of the Syrah grape. The region was once dominated by negociant-eleveurs of justified notoriety but in recent decades the wines from smaller producers have been become far more commonplace displaying many of these in the general export market. The days of Chapoutier, Paul Jaboulet and Guigal are far from over but the plethora of small family producers now available and exciting new breed of young vignerons have revitalized this region among knowledgeable wine aficionados. 

White wines in the Northern Rhone, other than the Viognier of Condrieu and Chateau Grillet, are dominated by Roussanne and Marsanne. The whites of Hermitage are legendary but very good whites are produced in St. Joseph, Crozes Hermitage and St Peray as well and they are quite a bit more affordable.

The Viogniers of Condrieu and Chateau Grillet are the finest produced in the World, the best of which are dry but unctuous, intensely aromatic and flavorfully complex with exquisite balance.

The Syrah wines of Cote Rotie are structured and need years to open up and the best cellar for a long time. There is quite a range of quality within the AOC and many producers bottle multiple cuvees. Hermitage is perhaps the biggest wine and some would contend the best at the higher price range. Cornas is a combination of structure and robust flavors with the best being among the finest Northern reds. St Joseph is a huge AOC of variable quality. Most are good to very good and approachable earlier than the other AOC's except perhaps Crozes. The best of any of these less prestigious AOC's can be outstanding and offer a real alternative to their much pricier neighbors at a fraction of the price.

Producers to start with include the negociants Chapoutier, Guigal, Jaboulet and Delas.