The Rhone Valley stretches over 200km from Vienne to Luberon, extending to near about 66572 hectares, and is divided into two parts: the Southern Rhone Valley and the Northern Rhone Valley. The first AOC of France is a part of it; it is Châteauneuf du Pape, which was recognised in 1936.
Today the Valley produces 17 renowned crus and two natural sweet wines. The classification of the wines of the region are structured in a pyramid.
First level: regional appellation : AOC Côtes du Rhône
Second level: communal appellation: AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages
Third level : communal appellation with geographical name. 22 communes can claim this AOC: Côtes du Rhône Villages Nyons, Rochegude, Rousset-les-Vignes, Saint-Maurice, Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes, Suze-la-Rousse, Gadagne, Massif d'Uchaux, Plan de Dieu, Puyméras, Roaix, Sablet, Sainte-Cécile, Séguret, Vaison-la-Romaine, Valréas, Visan, Chusclan, Laudun, Saint-Gervais, Signargues and Saint Andéol.
The top of the pyramid: The crus fromof the Rhone Valley: AOC Châteauneuf du Pape, AOC Rasteau, AOC Lirac, AOC Beaume de Venise, AOC Vinsobres, AOC Gigondas, AOC Vacqueyras, AOC St Joseph, AOC Condrieu, AOC Crozes - Hermitage, AOC Tavel, AOC Hermitage, AOC Côte - Rôtie, AOC Cairanne, AOC Cornas, AOC Chateau Grillet (France's smallest appellation with 3.5 hectares) and AOC St Peray.
The two natural sweet wines produced in the Rhone Valley are under the appellations of Rasteau and Muscat de Beaume de Venise.