- Travelling solo
- As a couple
- With friends
Follow the Rhône: 3 wine stops where the terroir can be savored like a landscape
It is often said that the Rhône is a river that tells beautiful stories. Between its banks and hillsides, it whispers tales of passionate winemakers, generous soils, and wines that embody the soul of their terroir. Simply follow its course from north to south to see for yourself and discover appellations where every sip is an invitation to travel. Here, there are no magic formulas: just inspiring landscapes, thriving grape varieties, and wines that speak for themselves. So, are you ready to embark on this journey? Here are three stops where wine is as much a way of life as it is a taste experience, just a stone's throw from the river.
Contents
#1. Hermitage: when the hill becomes legend
Perched on its hill like a lighthouse watching over the Rhône, the Hermitage appellation is one of those names that sends shivers down the spines of wine lovers. Here, everything is about verticality: the vines, clinging to steep terraces, defy gravity, while the Syrahs, the king of grape varieties in this terroir, develop an elegant power. It is said that the Romans already planted vines here, and that later, knights returning from the Crusades stopped here to enjoy them. History definitely has taste.
What we love: here, we fall for the breathtaking view from the belvedere of the Saint-Christophe chapel in Tain-L'Hermitage, where the Rhône seems to unfold like a postcard.
© Christophe Grilhé
#2. Côtes du Rhône Villages Chusclan: the art of gourmet breaks
Halfway between Avignon and the Pont du Gard, Chusclan is one of those villages where you end up staying longer than planned. Nestled among hills scented with thyme and rosemary, this corner of the Côtes du Rhône Villages produces generous, fruity reds, often made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre grapes. Here, there's no fuss: we're talking about accessible wines that go just as well with a charcuterie board as with a meal among friends, all in an atmosphere of quiet streets and welcoming wine cellars.
The added bonus: the village is surrounded by olive groves, so after a tasting, why not bring back a bottle of local olive oil? A 100% local duo.
© Denis Plat
#3. Côtes du Rhône Villages Signargues: the south in the spotlight
Further south, near Avignon, the landscape changes: gone are the green hills, replaced by plains of rounded pebbles that trap the heat of the day and release it at night. Welcome to Signargues, a village in the Côtes du Rhône Villages region where old vines (some over 60 years old!) produce intense, spicy reds with a touch of minerality reminiscent of the stony soil. Here, we are in the south, and it shows: the wines are warm, with aromas of blackberry, licorice, and pepper, and the winemakers love to share their passion during walks through the vineyards.
What we love: the scenery with its vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see, bathed in golden light, and estates often run by families for generations.
© Christophe Grilhé
From the majestic Hermitage to the sunny vineyards of Signargues, via the gentle Chusclan, the river has more than one story to tell. These three appellations, as different as they are, share one thing in common: they invite you to take your time and taste a vintage at a winemaker's, letting yourself be surprised by the diversity of the terroirs.
So, are you ready to be carried away by the Rhône? Don't forget your camera and your best pen to fill in your tasting notebook.
