Buy Rhone Online

How to Choose Rhone Wine: A Buyer's Guide from Commack, Long Island

The Rhone Valley runs roughly 150 miles along the Rhone River in southeastern France, split into a Northern Rhone and a Southern Rhone that make very different wines. Knowing which side a bottle comes from tells you most of what you need before you buy.

Northern Rhone: Syrah Country

The north is steep, granite terroir and Syrah dominates. Expect black pepper, violet, dark plum and a savory, structured profile. Key appellations include Cote-Rotie, Hermitage, Cornas, Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage. The north also makes tiny amounts of white from Viognier (Condrieu) and Marsanne and Roussanne (Hermitage and Saint-Joseph blanc). Our Christophe Pichon Condrieu is a benchmark example of the rich, apricot-scented Viognier style.

Southern Rhone: Blends and Value

The south is warmer and sunnier, and its wines are almost always blends led by Grenache with Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and other grapes. This is where you find Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Lirac, Seguret and the vast Cotes du Rhone appellation. Chateauneuf-du-Pape permits up to 13 grape varieties and is the region’s most prestigious red; our E. Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Domaine Porte Rouge Chateauneuf Du Pape show the full, generous style. Gigondas, like the E. Guigal Gigondas, delivers much of that power at a friendlier price, and Luberon bottlings such as Grand Marrenon Luberon offer bright, everyday value.

Flavor and Price Guidance

• Entry Cotes du Rhone: juicy red and black fruit, soft tannin, food-friendly, the best value tier. Look for names like Pierre Henri Morel Cotes du Rhone, La Poulardiere Cotes du Rhone and Laurence Feraud Cotes du Rhone.
• Villages and named crus: more depth and structure, from Seguret (Le Mas Des Flauzieres Seguret) up to Gigondas and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
• Whites: Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne and Viognier give round, floral, low-acid whites. Try E. Guigal Cotes Du Rhone Blanc or the rare Chateau Mont-redon Chateauneuf Blanc.
• Pairings: grilled lamb, braised beef, roasted chicken and aged cheese suit the reds; the whites love seafood, salads and soft cheeses.

Buying Locally and Shipping

Shop our full wine selection alongside Rhone, or compare against cabernet and chardonnay if you want a mixed case. Not sure where to start? Take our wine taste quiz or ask about custom bottle engraving for a gift. We offer free curbside pickup at 1171 Jericho Turnpike in Commack, same-day or next-day delivery across Nassau and Suffolk, and free local delivery over $250. Nationwide shipping goes to the states where it is legal, confirmed at checkout, via UPS or FedEx with an adult 21+ signature required.