The Southern Rhône is warmer and more open than the north, with vineyards often covered in large, heat-storing stones known as galets roulés. Grenache is the backbone here, usually blended with Syrah and Mourvèdre (a "GSM" blend) along with smaller amounts of other varieties permitted under local rules — Châteauneuf-du-Pape alone allows up to thirteen. The wines are generous, spiced and higher in alcohol than their northern counterparts, with garrigue herb notes from the scrubland surrounding the vines.

Key grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault