Côte Rôtie

These are the most northerly Rhône vineyards, strung along 5 miles (8 km) on the river western bank, behind the village of Ampuis.
The appellation's name (Roasted Slope) refers to a stairway of narrow-terraced vineyards on vertiginous schistous slopes cascading down to the edge of the Rhône river, giving the vines a bonus of sunshine and ripening potential.
The difference of soil divides Côte Rôtie into two segments: Côte Brune (iron-rich, relatively dark schistose soil) in the north of Ampuis and Côte Blonde (schist and granite soil, paler in color) in the south. Traditionally, grapes of both areas are blended together but today some producers make single-vineyard wine.
The region produces red wines, either made entirely from Syrah, or up to 20 percent of white Viognier grapes can officially be blended with Syrah in this appellation.

Condrieu/Château Grillet

Just south of Côte Rôtie, the territory of Condrieu runs for 12 miles along the western bank of the Rhône and has similar terraced vineyards as Côte Rôtie, but the difference in this AOC is that its white wine is made exclusively from the Viognier grape. Continental climate and sandy, granite slopes assist in producing Viognier. Characteristic: best drunk when young, at 2 to 3 years. It is a rare wine so the price is high.

Château Grillet is a single-vineyard enclave of only 4 hectares (8.6 acres) within Condrieu, and is one of the smallest appellations in France. The growing area consists of stony, steep terraces, with coarse granite sand. The wine is aged in oak casks for up to 22 months. Its high price is due to its rarity and its growing fame from the early 20th century.

Hermitage

The appellation Hermitage applies to a single granite hill that towers above the town of Tain-l'Hermitage on the eastern bank of the Rhône river, in the middle of the Crozes appellation.
The stone walls that anchor the steeply terraced vineyards of Hermitage are often used as billboards by negociants eager to publicize the locations in which they make some of their finest wines. The tiny chapel, a well-known landmark, stands in Paul Jaboulet's famous vineyard, La Chapelle.
The soils and the altitude of the vineyards vary across the Hermitage hill, creating subtly different wines.
Syrah is the only grape variety used in the complex, long-lived red wines of the appellation (75 percent of the production). It needs to be bottleed at least for a decade. The white Roussanne and Marsanne grape varieties may also be included in the blend. This is rare however, as white Hermitage wines are also very sought after and rare.

Crozes-Hermitage

This largest appellation area is centered on the flatlands surrounding the famous hill of Hermitage on the eastern bank of the Rhône river and spreads out around 11 villages to the north and south of the town of Tain-l'Hermitage.
Over such a large area, the terrain is not uniform; soils, slope, and altitude vary, and consequently so do the quality and intensity of the wines.
90 percent of the wines produced here are red, almost always entirely from Syrah grapes (mixed with small amounts of the white grapes Marsanne and Roussanne).White wines are made from the delicate Roussanne only or mixed with the Marsanne.
Most reds are made for early consumption. Other more traditional wines evolve slowly over 15 years.

St-Joseph

One of the largest districts in the Rhône, the vineyards extend for 35 miles (60 km) along the western bank of the Rhône river, between the Condrieu and Cornas appellations. They occupy a fairly large area of hills as well as flatter land above and below the slopes.
Malleval, a 16th century village, is located in the heart of the appellation.
About 90 percent of St-Joseph wine is red, varying from light, fruity styles to a fuller, firmer, tanic form. Much depends on the vineyard and on the winemaking techniques of the producer. White wines are made from Marsanne and Roussanne grapes. Most of St-Joseph red wines can be enjoyed within 3 to 5 years from the vintage.

Cornas/St-Peray

Cornas is a very small town on the western bank of the Rhône river. Vineyards are planted entirely with Syrah. The wine is to be aged at least 8 years, up to 20 years.

St-Peray is the most southerly appellation of northern Rhône, on the western bank of the Rhône, within the sprawling outskirts of Valence.
Entirely dedicated to the white Marsanne and Rousanne varieties, this small region is mainly devoted to producing sparkling wine by the traditional method and mainly sold locally.