côtes du rhône wine

Côtes du Rhône is the producer of French red wine par excellence – almost 90% are reds with just 3% white and 7% rosé. please see Côtes du Rhône is the producer of French red wine par excellence – almost 90% are reds with just 3% white and 7% rosé.

Rhone Valley wines are best drunk within three to five years of production. Syrah grows exceptionally well in the north and its deep colour – almost black at its best – and peppery taste are key characteristics in Côtes du Rhône wines. How better to discover the world of Rhone Valley wines than from the river itself and from on board a luxury hotel barge? These are to ensure consistency of style and quality, and are the same for all of the villages. Gallic, and before them Greek winegrowers already used the river as a mean of transportation.

It’s another terrific vintage from this wine which rarely misses. Geological characteristics divide the wine growing areas into two very distinct areas: north and south. They are usually reds, but whites and rosés are also available.

They are made from Côtes du Rhône Villages wines are widely accepted as providing a good balance of value and quality. Côtes du Rhône AOC is the regular decent bottle of wine that you will get in this region. Based on search frequency, updated monthly

Vines grow along some 250km of the river between Avignon in the south and Vienne in the north. However, few Côtes du Rhône wines come with a single grape. This complex red wine is made from grapes grown in some of Rhône Valley's most premium vineyards. In the north, 2015 was one of the best on record with 2010 and 2009 coming a close second.

Fortunately, of the 19 varieties, there are really just 3 varieties that define the style. Rhone Valley whites offer great pairing with fish and seafood, and go down a treat with goats cheeses. This together with the markedly cooler climate leads to less grape production. Whites are full and punchy, and rosés have a full, fresh taste. Romans went on cultivating vine and developing trade in the area, annexing the right bank of the Rhône - Côte Rôtie, Saint Joseph - … It shows attractive fruity aromas of raspberry and blackberry with spicy notes and a long finish. Around 70,000 hectares are under vineyards along the Rhone Valley, the second largest area in France after Burgundy, with a production of 372 million bottles in 2016. The move of the Papal Seat by Pope Clement V to Avignon in 1308 did the rest and Côtes du Rhône wines became the preferred tipple of popes. Viognier, a white grape, is unusual in that it’s native to the Rhone Valley.

The Syrah grape predominates here to the extent that the area is known as the “kingdom of Syrah”.

However, some years have been exceptional.

The vast majority are a blend of several from different parts of the valley and from different producers. Côtes du Rhône Villages is an appellation for red and white wines from a number of select villages in the Rhône wine region. As part of the Provençale cuisine, Côtes-du-Rhône goes well with a cuisine that is rich in by garlic, pepper, or tomato flavors, as well as Provence herbs and olive oil.

Nestling in the south-west of France, the Rhone Valley forms a corridor from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe. Easy-river transportation carried the wine to Rome where it had a reputation as one of the most highly-prized. Links to region pages for each of these can be found to the left of this text.Each of these villages may append its name to the standard AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages statement on its wine labels. A classic blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Carignan, this wine will be a great partner to steak, ratatouille or casseroles. The unique geological characteristics of the Rhone Valley, formed between giant mountain ranges and once flooded by the Mediterranean, give the area its four types of soil: limestone, granite, sandy silica and clay, all present in Côtes du Rhône wines. In the south, 2016 was classed by the experts as “a rare vintage”. Given their full-body and strong tastes, Rhone Valley reds need food that can match their strength and vitality. Rhone Valley whites should be served at between 8 and 10 degrees, and reds at just below room temperature. The king of the red grapes is the Grenache, the most widely grown in the area and responsible for the red fruit (blackcurrant mostly) aftertaste in the red wines.

The Greeks began growing grapes in Marseille a few centuries before the Romans arrived, but it was the Italians who planted the first vineyards along the Rhone.

Leading off the reds, the 2015 Côtes du Rhône is mostly Syrah yet has a big dose of 40% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre.

The Secret to the Côtes du Rhône Blend: ‘GSM’ There are 19 different grapes used in Côtes du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines. Wines made under the appellation must meet higher standards than those of the generic Côtes de Rhône title. Red wine from this part of the Rhone Valley is full bodied with a strong essence of red fruit. Choose fruit such as locally grown melon or figs for sweet whites from Beaumes de Venise. Our Rhone cruises take you down the majestic river calling at legendary Côtes du Rhône destinations on the way – Valence, Viviers, Châteneauf-du-Pape, Avignon… Visit the vineyards and taste the wines when you dine on board. In the first century the Romans discovered the excellent soil along the deep valley, formed in the rift between the Massif Central and the Alps. Ripe black fruits, peppery herbs, and lavender notes all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, concentrated yet silky wine. We also offer tips on how to combine food with a Côtes du Rhône wine for a foodie match made in heaven.