Gigondas, produced in the southern Rhône valley, is a brawny red wine made primarily from Grenache and Syrah, which ripens to higher levels of alcohol in the warm climate of the region. Gigondas makes for an attractive muscular contrast to more elegantly styled Châteauneuf du Pape, produced from nearby vineyards, and can have the structure to age for a decade or more.


There are examples of rosé Gigondas, but the overwhelming production is red. These wines are best paired with robust fare such as casseroles, game birds or barbecued beef.