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Côtes du Rhône

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Situated on either side of the Rhône between Vienne, Valence and Avignon, the Côtes-du-Rhôneappellation draws its personality from an astonishing diversity of soils, climates and grape varieties. Dating back to 1937, the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation area was extended in 2004 to cover 171 communes. There are essentially 5 types of soil in the Côtes-du-Rhône. Pebbly soils with clay soils, stony "clay-limestone" soils and stony outwash soils (on the slopes of the hills) provide the vines with a regular water supply and the ability to release, during the night, the heat stored during the day by the stones. They are particularly well-suited to the production of long-keeping wines. Loessic and sandy soils offer a more contrasted water supply. They are better suited to the production of white and rosé wines, as well as lighter red wines.

Climatic conditions, but also the nature of the soil, have conditioned the planting of grape varieties. Each grape variety brings its own qualities and, when combined with the others, achieves balance and harmony. Inred Côtes-du-Rhône wines, Grenache, the basic grape variety, brings fruitiness, warmth and roundness. Syrah and Mourvèdre give the wine spicy aromas and a deep color and structure that's well-suited to aging. Cinsault brings finesse and allows us to produce fruity rosés and vins primeurs. White wines combine aroma and freshness, thanks to a blend of different grape varieties such as Bourboulenc, Grenache blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette and/or Viognier. At the suggestion of the winegrowers, a new appellation decree was adopted in 1996, with the aim of reinforcing the typicity of Côtes-du-Rhône wines. For red and rosé wines, Grenache must represent at least 40% of the grape varieties (with the exception of Syrah-based wines produced in the northern part of the appellation). Similarly, for white wines, Grenache blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier must account for 80% of the grape varieties.

A number of great houses offer excellent Côtes-du-Rhône wines that showcase the diversity of grape varieties and terroirs: M. Chapoutier, Domaine Tardieu Laurent, Maison Delas Frères and the indispensable E. Guigal.

THEAOC Côtes-du-Rhône Villages was officially established in 1967. Today, it covers 95 communes in the 4 southern departments of Ardèche, Drôme, Gard and Vaucluse. It covers 3380 hectares of vines in production, mainly in red.

The soils are the same as for the AOC Côtes-du-Rhône, but the criteria taken into account - climate and soil - are applied more rigorously, given the Appellation's production rules. Yields are notably lower, averaging 34 hl/ha.

Recognized for their uniqueness, 18 geographical names can appear on the label: Rochegude, Rousset-les-Vignes, Saint-Maurice, Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes, Cairanne, Gadagne, Massif d'Uchaux, Plan-de-Dieu, Puyméras, Roaix, Sablet, Séguret, Valréas, Visan, Chusclan, Laudun, Saint-Gervais and Signargues. These are Côtes du Rhône Villages with a geographical name.

The Rhône region is a mecca for French gastronomy and oenology. Known the world over, Côtes-du-Rhône wines rival Bordeaux and Burgundy, with some very fine appellations that are the pride of the region's grape varieties. Best known for its red wines, Côtes-du-Rhône is also available in white and rosé. Some appellations, such as Costières de Nîmes, are gaining in popularity and notoriety. A diverse region, with a wide range of flavors and tannins, Rhône wines offer something for every taste and budget.

Côtes-du-Rhône, a choice terroir

The Rhône wine-growing region stretches over 200 km and is the second largest territorial appellation after Bordeaux. Côtes-du-Rhône is also one of the oldest appellations d'origine contrôlée in France. The appellation covers 6 départements, from Rhône to Vaucluse, via Gard and Ardèche. There are 163 communes, from Vienne to Avignon, affiliated to this dynamic wine-growing region. Soils composed of pebbles and sandy clay, particularly on the left bank of the river, are highly favorable to vine development. These territories also benefit from astonishing microclimates that offer impressive diversity to Rhône grape varieties. In the north of the region, local appellation wines such as Côtes Rôties delight delicate taste buds. In the south of the region, between Gard and Vaucluse, the sun is more intense and the wines fruitier. Red wine is in the majority, but we mustn't forget the small Gems in white or rosé.

How to match your Côtes-du-Rhône with your meal?

One of the great pleasures of Côtes-du-Rhône wine is the right match between a bottle and the food served at the table. You can achieve perfection and intense sensations with the right combination. As a wine with character, it's a great partner for a marbled, racy piece of beef. A Limousin beef rib, a tournedos or a Charolais entrecôte will be sublimated by a good Côtes-du-Rhône, for example a prestigious appellation like Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It can be a dazzling moment of delicate flavor. A racy, powerful Côtes-du-Rhône will go extremely well with grilled lamb. It is less likely to be served with a bourguignon, a daube provençale or a blanquette. It will also shine with characterful cheeses such as Pélardon or Picodon, cheeses from the region, as well as Bleu de Gex, Neufchâtel or Coulommiers. It will also enhance charcuterie, sausages or rillettes, and a simple Niçoise salad, for which it will serve as a flavor enhancer. On the fish side, Côtes-du-Rhône also works well, especially in a recipe with beurre blanc or cream.

Characteristics of Côtes-du-Rhône

Côtes-du-Rhône, strictly speaking, is not a vin de garde. Red wines should be drunk within 2 to 4 years of production. White wines should be drunk within 1 to 3 years, while rosé wines should be drunk immediately!

In the case of red Côtes-du-Rhône, the most widespread, the color is ruby, fairly light but deeper if the Syrah grape is dominant. Rosé wines are characteristically violet-colored. White wines are amber, with a fairly limpid yellow color. On the nose, red Côtes-du-Rhône wines are predominantly fruity, with hints of red berries such as cherry and blueberry. More intense, some have more animal or spicy notes, or even hints of ripe fruit, as in the case of the greatest crus. Rosé wines are fragrant, evoking candy or light, tangy floral scents. Côtes-du-Rhône white wines are more reminiscent of delicate, light floral aromas.

On the palate, when the wine comes from very light soils, the wine itself is airy and flowing. It will take on more structured tannins when it comes from southern soils nourished by alluvial deposits. Côtes-du-Rhône wines remain supple and invigorating, combining lightness with a strong character and subtle, highly flavorful balance. Rosés assert themselves with a red-fruit flavor that lingers on the palate. Côtes-du-Rhône white wines are well-balanced and hold their aromas for a long, tasty and refined experience on the palate.

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