Côtes du Rhône
The Cotes du Rhone wine appellation can be considered the cradle of viticulture in the Rhone Valley, covering an area of 30,000 hectares and accounting for the largest share of the wines of the region as a whole. The Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC which is made up of 95 villages is particularly pleasing in the red wines it produces and in the pricing provides compelling terroir expression.
The best wines from Côtes du Rhône
The Cotes du Rhone wine appellation can be considered the cradle of viticulture in the Rhone Valley, covering an area of 30,000 hectares and accounting for the largest share of the wines of the region as a whole. Focused around Avignon, it features a long history beginning with the Roman vine growth and the papal vineyard founded by Pope Clement V.
Still, much of the attention is directed to the famous crus, the Cotes du Rhone has excellent quality and heterogeneity because the differences in soils and microclimates make for numerous types of wines. The Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC which is made up of 95 villages is particularly pleasing in the red wines it produces and in the pricing provides compelling terroir expression.
Grapes in wines from Côtes-du-Rhône
The appellation is also famous for efficacious blending and they provide us approximately 23 permitted grape varieties in the making of their diverse and distinctive red, white and rosé wines. This way, wine producers have an opportunity to develop their own stylistics while remaining true to the family experience accumulated throughout generations.
Even if Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre (GSM) blends and red wines dominate the production of the region, there is an increasing interest towards Cotes du Rhone Blancs which are described as fresh yet rich. Other winemakers produce different types of rosés which have more body and greater food pairing potential than Provenal types.
Winemakers
The Cotes du Rhone region is home to a number of well-known winemakers who produce high-quality wines. Chateau de Beaucastel is one of the most distinguished estates, known for its GSM blends made from 13 grape varietals. Domaine du Pegau is a family-owned estate known for its powerful, expressive wines created with Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. E. Guigal is a well-known producer of reliable, high-quality Cotes du Rhone wines, whilst Domaine de la Janasse is renowned for its powerful yet refined wines.