The world of Syrah-based Northern Rhône reds is not limited to Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, and Côte-Rôtie. There are also St.-Joseph, typically soft and easy drinking, and Cornas, which can be burly and tannic or soft and pretty, depending on the winemaker's "house style." There are also the exotic whites made from Viognier, Château-Grillet and Condrieu, as well as both still and sparkling St.-Péray, neither of which is terribly exciting.

The Southern Rhône is blessed with an abundance of terroirs besides that of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Under the   More

The world of Syrah-based Northern Rhône reds is not limited to Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, and Côte-Rôtie. There are also St.-Joseph, typically soft and easy drinking, and Cornas, which can be burly and tannic or soft and pretty, depending on the winemaker's "house style." There are also the exotic whites made from Viognier, Château-Grillet and Condrieu, as well as both still and sparkling St.-Péray, neither of which is terribly exciting.

The Southern Rhône is blessed with an abundance of terroirs besides that of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Under the general headings Côtes-du-Rhône and Côtes-du-Rhône Villages (some of the latter also sport the specific village name, such as Cairanne or Rasteau) can be found literally dozens of wines that give more gustatory bang for the buck than just about any other category. Even with the weak dollar, the quality achieved by the best growers in the $10-$16 range is nothing short of staggering. Like the more famous Châteauneuf, these are Grenache-dominant blends, as are wines from the other Southern Rhône appellations: Lirac, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Coteaux du Tricastin, Côtes du Ventoux, etc.   Less