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
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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.
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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:
- The signature white grape of the Northern Rhône
- Full bodied, perfumed wines with aromas of blossom, apricot, and stone fruit
- Naturally low in acidity and high in alcohol, requiring careful timing at harvest
Côte Rôtie
- The name means the roasted slope, a reference to the intense sunshine and heat the slopes receive
- Established as an appellation in 1940, now approximately 330 hectares under vine
- Long history of viticulture dating to Roman times, but severely declined after phylloxera
- The region was in danger of going extinct as growers turned to easier crops such as apricots
- Guigal is credited with reviving the region's reputation and putting it back on the map
- Red wines only, made from Syrah
- Up to 20% Viognier is permitted in the blend, though in practice producers typically use around 5% or less
- Viognier is co-fermented with the Syrah rather than blended after fermentation
- Viognier acts as a color stabilizer for Syrah and contributes aromatic complexity
Condrieu
- Dedicated entirely to Viognier, producing white wines only
- Believed to be the birthplace of the Viognier grape
- Historically made in a sweeter style in the 17th and 18th centuries; today approximately 95% of production is dry
- Like Côte Rôtie, the region nearly disappeared in the 1960s and 1970s, falling to just 10 hectares planted
- Now has approximately 209 hectares under vine following a revival in interest
Château Grillet
- One of only two monopoles in France, meaning the entire appellation is owned by a single producer
- Only 3.5 hectares in size
- Owned by the same family for many generations before being purchased in 2011 by the owner of Château Latour
- White wines only, made from Viognier
- The vineyard sits within a natural granite amphitheater that protects the vines from cold north winds and aids ripening
Episode Highlights and Quotes
"Côte Rôtie means the roasted slope, in reference to just how much sunshine these slopes get, and therefore generating heat."
"Condrieu got down to only 10 hectares planted, which is wild to me. That's like a vineyard. That's nothing."
"Viognier has some special principles in it that allows it to act as a color fixer for Syrah. It actually helps to stabilize the color and also produces a little bit of aromatics for the wine."
Quick Reference: Northern Rhône Part 1 at a Glance
Appellation Wine Style Grape(s) Size Key Facts Côte Rôtie Red only Syrah, up to 20% Viognier 330 hectares Co-fermentation of Syrah and Viognier permitted. Established 1940. Condrieu White only Viognier 209 hectares Believed birthplace of Viognier. Nearly extinct in the 1970s. Château Grillet White only Viognier 3.5 hectares One of two monopoles in France. Granite amphitheater site.
Resources Mentioned
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Wine Educate is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering internationally recognized wine certification courses. Through the podcast, Joanne Close makes wine education accessible to everyone, breaking down complex topics into practical, easy-to-understand lessons. Whether you are studying for your WSET certification or simply want to learn more about wine, you will find the guidance and knowledge you need to enjoy wine with confidence.
Episode 120 of the Wine Educate Podcast | Hosted by Joanne Close | © 2025 Wine Educate
