The Southern Rhône: Climate, Grapes, and Winemaking

The Southern Rhone is one of the most diverse and exciting wine regions in France, with up to 36 recognised grape varieties, a Mediterranean climate, and Grenache as the undisputed hero grape. In this episode of the Wine Educate Podcast, Joanne Close gives a complete overview of the Southern Rhone for WSET Level 3 students and wine lovers, covering climate, soils, grape varieties, winemaking, and what makes this region so different from the Northern Rhone just a few miles away. Sign up for the Wine Educate newsletter for free study resources, quizzes, and episode updates at https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsl... If you are studying for your WSET or simply love French wine, this channel is for you. Subscribe for a new episode every week. Where the Northern Rhone is long, narrow, steep, and dominated by a single red grape, the Southern Rhone spreads out into a wide, flat, sun-drenched landscape producing far more wine across a huge range of styles. Grenache makes up more than half of all plantings here, blended with Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, and Cinsaut to produce everything from light and fruity to bold and meaty reds. The famous galets, those large round river stones found in Chateauneuf du Pape, absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night, prolonging the ripening process in one of the most distinctive viticultural environments in the world. Next week Joanne covers the specific Southern Rhone appellations in detail. What you will learn in this video: How the Southern Rhone differs from the Northern Rhone in climate, terrain, grapes, and wine styles Why Grenache is the dominant grape and what makes it so well suited to this region The GSM blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre and where you find this style around the world The famous galets or large round stones of Chateauneuf du Pape and how they influence ripening The key white grapes including Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, and Clairette Why blending is so important in the Southern Rhone and how it helps manage high alcohol levels The role of cooperatives, which produce two thirds of all wine in the Southern Rhone Wine Educate is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering wine certification courses online and in person. Host Joanne Close makes wine education accessible to everyone, from curious beginners to serious students preparing for their WSET exams. Subscribe for weekly wine education content for WSET students and wine lovers at every level. Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsl... Website: https://www.wineeducate.com #WSET #SouthernRhone #WineEducation #FrenchWine #WinePodcast