The Rhône Valley, situated between Provence and the Languedoc, stretches 125 miles from Vienne to Avignon. The northern vineyards, known simply as the Northern Rhône, include Côte Rôtie and Hermitage. In the south, grapes ripen more fully, and therefore the alcohol content of the wine is high. The southern vineyards produce Côtes du Rhône, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, which are strong in alcohol and taste and dark in colour. Though technically Côtes du Rhône wines can be from vineyards anywhere along the river, 80% are blended from grapes in southern vineyards. Syrah, with its smoky, blackberry flavour, is the great grape of the Rhône Valley wine region.