Côte-Rôtie
Rhône wines from the Mount Olympus of pleasure, they are sometimes called. The almost immortal red wines of Côte-Rôtie are as powerful, complex and intense as they are delicate and elegant. These wines are among the best in the world and are in high demand.
The best wines from Côte-Rôtie
Rhône wines from the Mount Olympus of pleasure, they are sometimes called. The almost immortal red wines of Côte-Rôtie are as powerful, complex and intense as they are delicate and elegant. These wines are among the best in the world and are in high demand.
Where is Côte-Rôtie located?
Welcome to the northern part of the Rhône. Here, just a few kilometres south of the city of Vienne, you will find the Côte-Rôtie, which, with its 333 hectares of vineyards, is not only an appellation but also a cru – a small peculiarity in the French appellation system.
The Côte-Rôtie is one of the oldest wine-growing regions in France. The wines of the ancient city of Vienne were already famous in ancient times. The Roman poet Martial (40-103 AD) praised their exceptional quality. The wines of Côte-Rôtie have always maintained their reputation, but have always been overshadowed by Hermitage. In 1787, Thomas Jefferson, who was then the American ambassador to France, visited the region and had a few cases of wine bottled for him sent to Paris.
What does the name Côte-Rôtie mean?
In English, Côte-Rôtie means ‘roasted or fried slope’. The name has a good reason, because the hot and dry climate as well as the very strong sunlight literally roast the slope. The fact that the grapes do not burn despite this is due to the microclimate, which has two special features.
Due to the course of the Rhône from northeast to southwest, it has a whole series of south-facing sites that resemble the structure of an amphitheatre. This is where the heat actually accumulates. However, a regular local north wind, the ‘bise’, protects the vines from excessive heat. Overall, the microclimate is therefore somewhat cooler than that of the Hermitage, which is further south.
What does the terroir of Côte-Rôtie look like?
The soil consists of gneiss or mica schist. This is a rough guide, as Côte-Rôtie is actually divided into over 70 individual vineyards, each with different soil types. As a rule, the individual vineyards are blended for a wine. However, the greatest wines are produced from single vineyards.
The best sites are considered to be the historic Côte Blonde (limestone) and Côte Brune (iron-rich clay), as well as Les Grandes Places, La Landonne, Les Moutonnes and La Viallière. There is a legend surrounding Côte Blonde and Côte Brune. In the 16th century, the feudal lord Maugiron is said to have bequeathed the estate to his two daughters, one blonde and the other brunette. The two soil types produce wines with different characters. While the growths of the Côte Blonde are finer, the wines of the Côte Brune have more body.
Which grapes are used to make a Côte-Rôtie wine?
Only red wines may be produced in the Côte-Rôtie region. The only authorised red grape variety is Syrah. However, this does not mean that it is the only grape variety used. The white Viognier also thrives in the Côte-Rôtie region. Up to 20 per cent of this grape variety is permitted in the red wine. This is done to soften the tannins, to take away some of the wine's youthful wildness, to make it more harmonious and to stabilise the colour.
Since most winemakers have been fermenting less and less of the stems, which are high in tannins, since the mid-1980s, the importance of the softening Viognier has diminished. The winemakers who grow Viognier rarely use more than five percent in their cuvées. Viognier is often completely absent from single-vineyard cuvées. Exceptions like La Chatillone from Vidal-Fleury prove the rule.
What does a Côte-Rôtie taste like?
Hardly any other Rhône wine is as powerful and complex as a Côte-Rôtie. Of course, the growths also show great differences. Depending on the individual vineyard. In general, the wines have a deep dark red colour, are full-bodied, very spicy and delight with a rich bouquet of red fruits and violets. The best growths are not only aromatic, but also have an elegant texture.
The wines are difficult to appreciate when young and benefit from aging in the bottle for ten years or more. They age beautifully, developing brilliant notes of undergrowth or black olive tapenade as they age. In addition, the texture then becomes increasingly silky. Well-known producers include Chapoutier, Domaine Barge, Bernard Burgaud, Domaine Jamet, Jean-Michel Gerin and Jamet and Jasmin.
What food goes well with a Côte-Rôtie?
An intense game goulash goes just as well with a Côte-Rôtie wine as a saddle of venison or intensely braised leg of lamb. But to be honest, in our opinion, such great wines deserve our full attention. That's why we recommend enjoying a Côte-Rôtie as a soloist on a special occasion – and not as a food companion. Or even better: consciously compare the different single vineyard Côte-Rôtie wines by tasting them by the glass. You will be amazed at how different the respective characters are. Of course, you will find a high-quality selection of Côte-Rôtie wines in the Best of Wines shop!