The rhone valley is made up of two fairly distinct regions. To the north syrah is the predominant variety, while in the south the other classic Rhone grapes, grenache and mouvedre dominate. The Rhone Valley stretches from North to South and includes the city of Avignon, once home to the Pope and the reason why Châteauneuf du Pape gets its name. The three red Rhone grapes may dominate but keep an eye out for the aromatic Viognier and the sweet Beaumes de Venice.