Uncommon Wines - Uncommon Appeal
With names like Roussanne, Viognier, Sangiovese, and Mourvèdre, the grapes Zefina Winery transforms into wines are anything but ordinary. While these grape varietals may not be as recognizable as Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet, they are certainly equally steeped in winemaking tradition.

In the vineyards of France, Italy, and countries across Europe, these unique grapes have been grown, crushed, and made into wines for centuries. Blended together, their juices form beautiful, rich wines. And on their own, they boast distinct characteristics that make them exceptional single-varietal wines. With distinctive wines you won't easily find elsewhere, Zefina brings a taste of the Old World into the New, creating a wine-tasting experience you won't soon forget.

The Rhône Valley
The Rhône Valley, one of the world's greatest wine regions, lies in southeastern France south of Beaujolias between the city of Lyon and the region of Provence. Wines here benefit from sunny, hot growing seasons and are rich, strong, and high in alcohol content. Yet the northern Rhône and the southern Rhône are two distinct entities, producing two distinct sets of wines.

The northern Rhône is most famous for its wines that come from the appellations of Côte Rôtie, Condrieu, Château-Grillet, Saint-Joseph and Hermitage where the vineyards grow on the steep inclines that rise out of the Rhône River. Syrah is, by far, the best-known red grape grown in the region, while Marsanne, Roussane and Viognier are the best-known white grapes.

More than 90 percent of the Rhône Valley's wines come from the southern Rhône. This portion of the valley is best known for the appellation Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but other appellations include Gigondas, lirac, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venese and Tavel. In the south, more combinations of grapes are used in blending than are in the north. Most of the famous Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône-Villages are produced from these southern vineyards. The principal red grape in this region is Grenache, but others include Carignan, Counoise, Mourvèdre, Terret Noir and Syrah. The white grapes used include Bourboulenc, Clairette, Marsanne, Muscardine, Picardan, Roussanne and Piquepoul (or Picpoule ).

Click on the link to learn more about Rhône Valley varietals
http://www.rhonerangers.org/grapes