120. Côte Rôtie, Condrieu & Château Grillet - Northern Rhône Part 1 | WSET Study Classics

Episode 120: Côte Rôtie, Condrieu & Château Grillet - Northern Rhône Part 1 | WSET Study Classics

Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 8:32 Release Date: July 16th, 2026

Join the Wine Educate Newsletter

Get wine tips, episode updates, and exclusive content delivered to your inbox. Subscribe at https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter

Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle

The Northern Rhône and its key appellations appear on the WSET Level 2 syllabus, and understanding the grapes, styles, and wine laws of this region is essential exam preparation. The Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle includes practice questions modeled on the real exam format to help you test your knowledge before you sit.

https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout

Episode Description

This episode is part of the WSET Summer Classics series, revisiting foundational topics that feature prominently across the WSET curriculum. This week Joanne turns to the Northern Rhône, starting at the very top of the region with three appellations that are worth knowing well: Côte Rôtie, Condrieu, and Château Grillet.

The Northern Rhône is long, narrow, and steep, with vineyards carved into granite slopes above the Rhône River. It is the northernmost point where Syrah can ripen properly, and it is the ancestral home of Viognier. Joanne covers the geography and climate of the region, the characteristics of both grapes, and the specific rules and history of each appellation, including one of only two monopoles in all of France.

This is part one of a two-part series on the Northern Rhône. Corresponding Level 2 quiz questions and a Level 3 essay question are available in the newsletter, and episode 81 covers the broader Rhône wine laws for additional context.

What You'll Learn in This Episode The Northern Rhône at a Glance

• Location: approximately 20 miles south of Lyon, running about 45 miles north to south
• Steep terraced vineyards on the banks of the Rhône River, originally carved out by the Romans
• Climate: moderate continental, making this the northernmost area where Syrah can ripen reliably
• Vines in the Northern Rhône predate those of the Southern Rhône

Key Grape Varieties

Syrah:

• The only permitted red grape in the Northern Rhône
• Requires south and southeast facing slopes to ripen in this moderate continental climate
• Aided by reflected heat and light from the Rhône River
• Style: deeply colored, medium to high tannins, black fruit, pepper, and sometimes floral notes

Viognier:

<ul class= "[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]