Côtes du Rhône
Côtes du Rhône (French pronunciation: [kot dy ʁon]) is a French wine region and appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) covering much of the Rhône Valley. It represents one of the largest appellations in France, producing a wide range of red, white and rosé wines, and often serves as the entry point to the Rhône’s complex hierarchy of wine classifications.[1]
Background
The appellation was established in 1937 to regulate and protect the reputation of Rhône wines, which had been traded since antiquity through the Rhône River and later along European markets.[2] The name “Côtes du Rhône” reflects the slopes (“côtes”) along the Rhône River, particularly in the southern valley where production is most extensive.
Geography and Appellation
The Côtes du Rhône AOC spans both the northern and southern parts of the Rhône Valley, though the majority of vineyards are located in the south, around Avignon and Orange.[3] Soils vary from alluvial deposits and sandy terraces to stony galets roulés, while the Mediterranean climate provides hot summers moderated by the mistral wind.
The appellation has a tiered structure:
- Côtes du Rhône AOC – the broadest category, covering most of the production.
- Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC – introduced in 1966, designating superior sites with stricter rules.
- Cru appellations – including Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Vacqueyras, which stand apart from the general Côtes du Rhône designation.[4]
Grape Varieties and Wine Styles
Red wine dominates production, accounting for around 85–90%. Grenache Noir is the principal variety in the south, typically blended with Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault.[5] The resulting wines are generally medium- to full-bodied, with flavours of red berries, herbs, and spice.
Whites, though less common, are made from Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne, producing wines that are aromatic and full-bodied but moderate in acidity. Rosés, often Grenache-based, are widely consumed locally and exported.
Role in Winemaking and Market
Côtes du Rhône wines are typically blended to balance Grenache’s body and alcohol with Syrah’s structure and Mourvèdre’s complexity. The GSM blend has become emblematic of Rhône-style wines globally. Co-operatives and négociants play an important role in production, ensuring consistency across large volumes.[6]
The appellation’s broad reach makes it central to French wine exports, offering affordable yet representative Rhône wines that often serve as an introduction to the region’s more prestigious crus.[7]
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Hugh Johnson, The Story of Wine, Mitchell Beazley, 2021.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., 2019.
- ↑ Livingstone-Learmonth, The Wines of the Rhône, Infinite Ideas, 2019.
- ↑ Syndicat des Côtes du Rhône, vins-rhone.com. (French original)
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, 2015.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., 2019.