RHONE WINE

any of numerous table wines, mostly red, from the Ctes du Rhne region of southeastern France. The vineyards are situated on either side of the Rhne River from south of Lyon to Avignon. Wines designated by the broadest regional appellation, Ctes du Rhne, are agreeable but fairly undistinguished reds. The better wines are bottled under more specific district or village names, such as the red Chteauneuf-du-pape and the ros Tavel, both from the southern Rhne. Wines of the northern Rhne are as a group the more distinguished, notable vineyards being Hermitage, Cte-rtie, Cornas, and Saint-Joseph. The best white Rhnes, Condrieu and Chteau Grillet, are also made in the northern section. A highly esteemed sweet white, Beaumes-de-Venise, is made in the south.